In the fire alarm and firefighting industry, there are various standards, approvals, and marks that specify equipment requirements, design and installation, testing, and maintenance. One of their most famous is the list of NFPA standards of the American Fire Protection Association and the European EN standard or LPCB certification, which are also accepted worldwide. The CE mark or the European conformity certificate is one of these things that we will examine in this article from Ganjineh Pavan‘s articles.
What is CE Mark and Certification?
The CE mark is derived from the initials of the French phrase Conformitè Europeenne (European Conformity). This mark has been defined as a mandatory European Union (EU) conformity mark for the regulation of goods in the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1985.
Many products require a CE mark before being sold in the European Union. CE certification indicates that a product has been evaluated by the manufacturer and appears to meet the safety, health, and environmental protection requirements of the European Union. The European Certificate of Conformity is also required for products manufactured anywhere in the world and then marketed in the European Union.
What does the presence of the CE mark on the goods mean?
The presence of the CЄ mark on any product indicates that that product can be traded freely in any part of the European Economic Area, regardless of the country of origin.
The presence of this symbol indicates that a product:
- Meets the requirements of European product directives.
- Meets all requirements of harmonized European performance and safety standards.
- It is suitable for the purpose for which it was made and does not endanger life and property.
The presence of a CE mark or a European certificate of conformity further indicates that appropriate technical documentation is available to support the use of the mark. And can be provided by the manufacturer, importer, or person responsible for placing the product on the EU market upon request.
Therefore, on commercial products, the letters CE (as the CЄ mark) mean that the manufacturer or importer certifies the product’s compliance with European health, safety, and environmental protection standards.
When is CE marking or European conformity certificate mandatory?
CE marking is only mandatory for products for which there is an EU specification that requires the affixing of the CE mark.
Some products are subject to several EU requirements at the same time. Before affixing the CE mark to it, you must ensure that your product meets all relevant requirements. It is prohibited to affix the CE mark or the European Certificate of Conformity to products for which there is no EU specification or which do not require the affixing of the CE mark.
Many consumer goods sold in the European Union, such as toys and electrical appliances, must carry the CE mark.
CE marking is mandatory for more than 20 product groups
CE marking is mandatory for more than 20 product groups, including construction products, gas appliances, toys, measuring instruments, mobile phones, and elevators. The European Commission website has a list of product types for which CE marking is mandatory.
CE mark on construction products
CE marking has been mandatory for many construction products since 2012. Since 2013, a performance declaration is also required. This includes product information and contact information. Manufacturers, importers of construction products, and distributors must submit a declaration of product performance.
CE certification of fire safety systems
Fire safety measures in buildings are necessary to reduce possible risks to people and goods in the event of a fire. Understanding the combined behavior of the elements involved in the fire is very difficult.
In Europe, fire detection and alarm products must meet the essential safety and performance requirements of the EN 54 Construction Products Regulation and must be CE certified to be legally sold or marketed in EU countries.
The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU on protective equipment and systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, such as F&G System (fire and gas monitoring systems), details the essential requirements that the product must meet in order for the manufacturer to affix the CE mark. Specifies.
In relation to personal protective equipment, the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 specifies the essential health and safety requirements that the product must meet in order for the manufacturer to affix the CE mark.
How to get the European Conformity Certificate badge?
As the product manufacturer, you are responsible for declaring compliance with all requirements. You do not need a license to affix the CE mark to your product. But before doing so, manufacturers must check whether their products meet the requirements or not. And should they have the CE mark?
It is also the manufacturer’s responsibility to apply CE certification to the product. In the case of a product manufactured outside the European Economic Area (EEA), the importer must check whether the product meets the requirements and must have a CE certificate.
If an importer markets the product under his own name, he assumes the manufacturer’s responsibilities and must apply the CE mark himself.
For certain product groups, companies may carry out the CE approval assessment themselves. For other groups of products, they should use the services of the institution approved by the references. These are the bodies registered with the European Commission. A list of relevant bodies in each country can be found on the European Commission website.
Mark installation requirements
- The CE mark must be visible, legible, and indelible.
- The CE approval mark must consist of the initials “CE”. Both letters should have the same vertical dimensions and should not be smaller than 5 mm. (unless otherwise specified in the product requirements).
- If you want to make the CE mark on your product smaller or larger, the ratio of the two letters must be observed. As long as the initials are visible, the CE mark can take different forms (e.g. colored, embossed, or engraved).
- If you cannot affix the CE mark to the product itself, you can affix it to the package or any document accompanying the product.
- If your product is subject to multiple EU Directives/Regulations. Which requires the affixing of the CE mark, the accompanying documents must show that your product complies with all EU directives/regulations.
The last letter of the CE mark is the European Certificate of Conformity
As we said, the CE mark or the European conformity certificate is mandatory for many products that are sold in the European trade area.
Safety and firefighting equipment are among the products that the European Union has mandated CE marking on.
Ganjineh Pavan company is ready to provide consultancy services, design, supply, and installation of all kinds of industrial safety systems and fire alarms and extinguishing by using expert and expert personnel.
Ganjineh Pavan provides consulting, design, supply, installation and implementation, testing, and maintenance services in the following areas:
- Design and installation of fire alarm system
- Design and installation of fire suppression system
- Supply, design, and installation of F&G system
- Safety equipment and personal protection
- Consulting and obtaining fire department approval for the completion of building work
Contact us now to get a free consultation from Ganjineh Pavan experts.
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