Primer on Standards - OEK - OVE

egardless of the product’s origin or the plant’s location, are required to affix thisCE Marking to products that are governed by New Approach Directives.The CE Marking should not be confused with quality marks or labels for consumersto identify the excellence of a product. It is a visible sign affixed by the supplierof the product to show EU member states’ authorities and other parties concernedthat the product is in compliance with all the New Approach Directives applyingto it.Determining Which Directives Apply to my ProductThe first step to compliance is the responsibility of the manufacturer to determinewhich Directives apply to the product. This is sometimes a difficult task since aproduct may be regulated by more than one Directive. In this respect, CENELECpublishes every year in June the CD-ROM Links between Products, Directives andStandards in the Electrotechnical Field. Visiting web sites such as CENELEC’s orthe European Commission’s one may also help.Once the Directives and the requirements have been identified, the manufacturermust them apply the appropriate standards and/or elaborate his product on thebasis of the essential requirements if he intends to sell the product within theEuropean market. Finally, and depending on the individual Directive, he may haveto undertake a method of Conformity Assessment.The CE Marking does not provide any information about the Directives or Standardsthat apply to the product nor about the method of Conformity Assessment usedto bring the product into compliance. This information is provided by otheraccompanying documents such as the Declaration of Conformity.Who Affixes the CE MarkingIt is the manufacturer or his Authorized Representative, established in the EuropeanUnion, who affixes the CE Marking to the product. It is certainly not affixed bya Notified Body (officially recognized bodies that conduct Conformity Assessmenttests for products that fall under those New Approach Directives that require thiscompliance procedure).The CE Marking must be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the product, toits data plate or, where this is not possible, to its packaging.40 CENELEC. <strong>Primer</strong> on Standards