CE certification. Obtaining a European Certificate of Conformity

To confirm product qualitythe manufacturer must obtain a special certificate. The sample of the product undergoes a special analysis, the results of which are compared with the parameters fixed by regulatory enactments (GOSTs, technical regulations, etc.).

The standard of product quality, however, may benot only national, but also international. For example, when exporting goods to the EU countries, the manufacturer must obtain a special certificate (a sample document is presented above). It confirms compliance with safety standards in 28 EU countries, as well as in Norway, Turkey, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

Let us consider in detail the features of product certification in the countries of the European Union.

General information

CE marking is a special mark thatis applied to goods in order to confirm their compliance with EU directives and harmonized norms of technical regulation. It means that the products are certified or declared for the European market.

Today CE certification Is the only mandatory procedure, within the framework of thewhich confirms the quality of goods for the EU countries. Marking is not allowed to be used for marketing or advertising purposes, applied voluntarily to products for which this type of certification is not provided. To increase consumer confidence in such products, it is sufficient to use internal standards for voluntary certification. For example, in Germany the GS marking is used.

Specificity

CE certification provides unhindered access of products to the EU market, their circulation within the entire economic space of the EU, with the exception of Switzerland.

A certificate issued in one of the countries of the European Union is valid in other countries included in it. Products can be in free circulation and sale.

In fact, the procedure has much in common with the ETS (TC standards - the Customs Union). Will the CE certification of the Customs Union? It is unlikely that this is possible, at least in the near future, given the tension of the international situation. Meanwhile, the enterprise whose products have passed CE certification, has advantages in the domestic market.

If a CE mark is not present on a product sold in European markets, it is removed from circulation.

Authority by certification is SIA International Center for QualityCertification. He carries out work related to the confirmation of the conformity of the quality of goods with the requirements established in the European legislation, and strictly according to the code of business ethics. Certification body has all the necessary equipment. Its employees conduct all the examinations themselves.

It is worth saying that the documents from domestic producers are accepted in Russian.

Historical reference

For the first time the idea of ​​creating a system certification of CE emerged in 1985. However, in modern form it appeared only in 1993. Certification procedure was introduced simultaneously with the first standards in accordance with Directive 93/68 / EEC.

In 2008, the system was reformed, within the framework of which several basic documents were adopted, on the basis of which it continues to develop today.

Normative base

Extradition the European certificate and quality control of goods are carried out in accordance with the Decision No. 768/2008 / EC of the European Parliament issued in 2008.

The procedure is mandatory for more than 30 types of products and services. Certification is carried out on the basis of 5 thousand harmonized standards, the number of which is constantly increasing.

Types of products

The CE certificate of conformity is mandatory for:

• Building materials.
• PPE (personal protective equipment).
• Lifting mechanisms, elevators.
• Medical equipment.
• Children's toys.
• Electrical equipment.
• Measuring instruments.
• Production equipment.

This is not a complete list of products subject to certification.

Features of the application of signs

All goods subject to directives, importedor sold on the territory of the EU, should be marked with a special sign. Depending on the specifics of the product or service, one or several different standards can be applied to them.

When marking, other marks may be applied, for example:

• Voluntary certification.
• Electrical safety.
• Explosion hazard ATEX.
• Class of energy consumption.
• Class of fire hazard.

The conditions for their application are regulated by EU directives, national and harmonized standards.

A responsibility

Non-compliance with certification and labeling rulesproducts, deliberate abuse of them leads to serious consequences. Often, the absence of special signs on the product is punishable by hundreds of thousands of euros. A gross violation of order may result in criminal sanction. Goods that do not meet the standards are withdrawn from circulation and destroyed at the expense of the importer or manufacturer.

Responsibility for the conformity of product qualityand services to established standards, as well as for the presence of marking is assigned to all participants in the turnover. They include not only the manufacturer and importer, but also the final seller.

Compliance with the rules is entrusted to national supervisory structures. They can apply administrative measures in identifying violations.

The order of marking

The CE marking must be on the packaging in a conspicuous place. Marking should be easy to read and not wash.

If a notified laboratory was brought to the certification procedure, a number is indicated next to the sign.

The marking value must be at least 5mm. The proportions of the sign must be preserved. If it is not possible to label the product, it is applied to the packaging, as well as indicated in the accompanying documentation, including the instructions for use.

Certification process

Marking of goods can be carried out both within the framework of declaration and during research with the involvement of an independent laboratory, notified in any EU country.

In most cases, it suffices to estimateconformity of the goods with the standards of the European Union with subsequent declaration. It can be carried out by the importer or the manufacturer independently. In this case, the subject will be responsible for the quality of products and their compliance with the standards, directives and standards established for this type of product. In addition, the declarant may be an EU resident or a person having a representative in the territory of the European Union.

Required Activities

Declaring products in accordance with European standards requires a set of procedures. These include:

• The definition of norms for the declared type of goods.
• Verification of compliance with these standards.
• Perform the required tests.
• Preparation of protocols.
• Preparation of technical documents.
• Submission of the declaration.
• Marking of goods.

Special cases

For individual products representing an increaseddanger, only certification is conducted with the involvement of a notified laboratory to perform an independent audit and issue a conclusion on compliance.

It should be said that research is possible with the departure of specialists to an enterprise that produces goods, including abroad. In such a situation, all expenses are covered at the expense of the customer.

Nuances

Manufacturer or its representative in the European Unionmust keep test reports and other documentation for at least 10 years from the date of the procedure. At any time, the paper may need to be controlled by structures.

For certification of certain types of goodsthe manufacturer must comply with ISO 9001 (quality management) standards that ensure compliance with the requirements for the production process. Certification in this case is carried out with the involvement of an accredited center.

Help of intermediaries

Manufacturers who have long worked in the Europeanmarket, know all the subtleties of the declaration and certification procedure. Enterprises that first release their goods to the EU countries may face a number of difficulties.

At first you can use the servicesintermediary companies. They can advise on all matters relating to certification and labeling. This will significantly reduce costs (both temporary and financial). The mediator will hold talks with independent laboratories, assist in conducting the tests.

If necessary, you can instruct the company to act as an authorized representative on the territory of the European Union to issue a certificate. The list of intermediary services includes, as a rule:

• Advice on marking issues.
• Evaluation of the cost of the certification procedure.
• Translation of technical documents.
• Evaluation of compliance of goods with norms and directives.
• Preparation and execution of tests in an independent laboratory, notified in one of the EU countries.
• Registration of technical documents.
• Submission of the declaration.
• Provision of services of the authorized representative of the manufacturer / importer.
• Accompaniment of the declaration / certification process.

Additionally

The validity of certificates is, as a rule, unlimited. However, for products of individual species it can operate for 3-10 years.

The cost of the procedure depends on thecharacteristics of the goods, the number of harmonized standards for which it falls, the need for laboratory research, the number of such inspections, the appropriateness of recruiting specialists from an independent laboratory. Of no less importance is the volume of technical documentation, the magnitude of the potential risk associated with the operation (use) of specific products.

Conclusion

CE certification is considered quite complicatedprocedure. It is necessary to properly draw up all the papers, to conduct the necessary procedures in the authorized structures. Marking the products, of course, will require substantial investment. However, the benefits of certification can not be overemphasized.

Currently, the turnover of products from countriesThe European Union in the Russian Federation is essentially limited. Accordingly, the relevance of goods to national standards is more important. Meanwhile, some countries that are not members of the European Union, whose turnover with Russia is quite high, also label their products with the CE mark. They, in turn, are interested in receiving goods that meet European standards. Consequently, CE certification is also relevant for Russia.