To confirm the quality of products, the manufacturer must receive a special certificate. In this case, the product sample is subjected to special analysis, the results of which are compared with the parameters fixed by regulatory acts (GOSTs, technical regulations, etc.).
The product quality standard, however, can be not only national, but also international. For example, when exporting goods to EU countries, the manufacturer must receive 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 more detail the features of product certification in the countries of the European Union.
General information
CE marking is a special mark that is applied to goods in order to confirm their compliance with EU directives and harmonized standards of technical regulation. It means that the products are certified or declared for the European market.
Today , CE certification is the only mandatory procedure that confirms the quality of goods for the EU countries. Labeling is not allowed to be used for marketing or advertising purposes, to be applied voluntarily to products for which this type of certification is not provided. To increase consumer confidence in such products, it is enough to use internal standards for voluntary certification. For example, in Germany, the GS marking is used.
Specificity
CE certification ensures 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 may be in free circulation and sale.
In fact, the procedure has much in common with the UTS (TS standards - the Customs Union ). Will CE replace the certification of the Customs Union? This is hardly possible, at least in the near future, given the tension in the international situation. Meanwhile, an enterprise whose products have passed CE certification has advantages in the domestic market.
If a CE mark is not present on any product sold in European markets, it is removed from circulation.
The certification body is SIA International Center for Quality Certification. He carries out work related to the confirmation of the conformity of the quality of goods to the requirements established in European law, and strictly according to the code of business ethics. The certification body has all the necessary equipment. Its employees conduct all the examinations themselves.
It is worth saying that documents from domestic manufacturers are accepted in Russian.
History reference
For the first time, the idea of creating a CE certification system arose in 1985. However, in its modern form it appeared only in 1993. The certification procedure was introduced simultaneously with the first standards in accordance with Directive 93/68 / EEC.
In 2008, a reform of the system was carried out, within the framework of which several fundamental documents were adopted, on the basis of which it continues to develop today.
Normative base
The issuance of a European certificate and quality control of goods are carried out in accordance with 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
CE certificate is required 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 covered by the directives imported or sold in the EU should be marked with a special sign. Depending on the specifics of a product or service, one or several different standards can be applied to them.
When marking, other signs may be applied, for example, about:
- Voluntary certification.
- Electrical safety.
- Explosion ATEX.
- Energy class.
- Fire hazard class.
The conditions for their application are governed by EU directives, national and harmonized standards.
Responsibility
Failure to comply with the rules of certification and labeling of products, deliberate abuse of them leads to serious consequences. Often the absence of special characters on a product is punished by hundreds of thousands of euros. Gross violation of order may result in criminal sanctions. 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 the quality of products and services to established standards, as well as for the presence of marking, rests with all participants in the turnover. These include not only the manufacturer and importer, but also the final seller.
Compliance is vested in national supervisory authorities. They can apply administrative measures to detect violations.
Marking Procedure
The CE mark must be visible on the packaging. Marking should be well read and not erased.
If a notified laboratory was involved in the certification procedure, its number is indicated next to the sign.
The marking must be at least 5 mm. The proportions of the mark must be preserved. If it is not possible to label the product, it is applied to the packaging, and also indicated in the accompanying documentation, including the instructions for use.
Certification process
Labeling of goods can be carried out both within the framework of the declaration and during research with the involvement of an independent laboratory notified in any country of the European Union.
In most cases, it is enough to conduct an assessment of the conformity of goods to EU standards with subsequent declaration. It can be carried out by the importer or manufacturer on their own. In this case, the subject will be responsible for the quality of products and their compliance with the norms, directives and standards established for this type of product. In addition, the EU resident or a person having a representative in the EU can act as a declarant.
Mandatory events
Declaration of products in accordance with European standards involves a set of procedures. These include:
- Definition of norms for the declared type of goods.
- Verification of compliance with these standards.
- Perform the necessary tests.
- Protocol preparation.
- Drawing up technical documents.
- Filing a declaration.
- Marking of goods.
Special cases
For individual products of increased danger, only certification is carried out with the assistance of a notified laboratory to carry out an independent audit and to draw a conclusion on compliance.
It should be said that research is possible with the departure of specialists at the enterprise that produces the goods, including abroad. In such a situation, all expenses are borne by the customer.
Nuances
The manufacturer or his representative in the European Union must keep test reports and other documentation for at least 10 years from the date of the procedure. Supervisory structures may need paper at any time.
To certify certain types of goods, the manufacturer must comply with ISO 9001 ( quality management ) standards that guarantee compliance with the requirements for the production process. Certification in this case is carried out with the involvement of an accredited center.
Help from intermediaries
Manufacturers who have long been working in the European market know all the details of the declaration and certification procedure. Enterprises that first produce their products in EU countries may face a number of difficulties.
At first, you can use the services of intermediary companies. They can advise on all matters relating to certification and labeling. This will significantly reduce costs (both time and financial). The mediator will negotiate with independent laboratories, will assist in the testing.
If necessary, you can instruct the company to act as an authorized representative in the European Union to issue a certificate. The list of intermediary services includes, as a rule:
- Labeling advice.
- Assessment of the cost of the certification procedure.
- Translation of technical documents.
- Conformity assessment of goods to norms and directives.
- Preparation and implementation of tests in an independent laboratory notified in one of the EU countries.
- Registration of technical documents.
- Filing a declaration.
- Providing the services of the authorized representative of the manufacturer / importer.
- Support of the declaration / certification process.
Additionally
Validity of certificates is usually unlimited. However, for the production of certain types, it can last 3-10 years.
The cost of the receipt procedure depends on the characteristics of the product, the number of harmonized standards to which it falls, the need for laboratory research, the number of such checks, the feasibility of attracting independent laboratory specialists. Equally important 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 a rather complicated procedure. It is necessary to properly execute all the papers, carry out the necessary procedures in authorized structures. Product labeling, of course, will require substantial investment. However, the benefits of certification are hard to overestimate.
Currently, the turnover of products from EU countries to the Russian Federation is significantly limited. Accordingly, the conformity of goods to national standards is of greater importance. Meanwhile, some countries that are not members of the European Union, with which Russia’s turnover is quite high, also label their products with the CE mark. They, in turn, are interested in receiving goods that meet European standards. Therefore, CE certification is relevant for Russia.