Certificates approval mark

In addition to the CE marking affixed to a product, customers may demand a European third-party (notified body) approval mark, certification, or test report connoting a higher level of quality to ensure safety/EMC compliance. To control non-conforming products the following clause from the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC) applies ... 

Figures 4-3, 4-4, and 4-5 illustrate examples of approval mark certificates issued by European bodies.

Always obtain positive evidence of conformity (EU approval marks, certificates, test reports). Play it safe and you won t get burned ... 

Certification and approvals are statements by an impartial accredited body that a product or service fulfills specific requirements, such as directives and standards. Certification may be mandatory, as is the case for some regulated products (Annex IV machines, telecom, medical devices, etc.), or voluntary as Is the case for most product and machine categories. Manufacturers often seek voluntary certification to assure themselves, customers, and authorities that their products meet the requirements set by law. Certification is commonplace in Europe and allows the use of a distinctive approval mark affixed to the product that is backed by a certificate and test report. The approval mark, is a recognized quality mark attesting to a products conformity to the relevant requirements, such as for EMC and safety. 

The term CE mark was changed to CE Marking in the New Approach Directives. The CE marking is not a mark and therefore must not be confused with a mark, certificate, or approval issued by an accredited certification body, as listed in the Official Journal. Rather, the CE marking is a symbol of the manufacturer s declaration of conformity that implies conformity with the minimum requirements set out in the Directives. The CE symbol is not a registered mark, which is in principle under the manufacturer s own responsibility. The CE marking is a declaration for the inspectors (i.e., customs) and allows the product to be placed on the market. ... 

Not a mark, certification, or approval from European recognized third-party (e.g., notified body) ... 

An approval mark and certificate visibly demonstrate product quality (safety/ EMC) and can lay to rest any doubts the consumer may have concerning a product s conformity to the EU directives and standards. The requirement for certification can come from ... 

The increased marketing potential of certification and approval marks should not be overlooked. As the Official Journal states ... 

When customers see an approval mark they know and trust (i.e., VDE/TUV/ BG) they can be assured that the testing was performed to exacting quality standards and that an accurate test report and certificate exist. Figure 4-2 shows the hierarchy of European conformity acceptance. With today s liberalized approach (CE = self test), where testing and approvals for most products are no longer compulsory, the quality of the approval mark is more important than ever. There is a greater potential for abuse under the new system that must be counteracted by effective surveillance checks by the authorities, users, and competitors. Product manufacturers and suppliers should utilize testing and approval bodies with the... 

The highest level for conformity verification and acceptance in Europe are the voluntary product safety and EMC Approval Marks, issued by European notified and competent bodies. The Approval Mark is backed by an official test report and certificate from a European accredited body (OJEC). 

No Approval Mark or Certificate for potential customers and national enforcement authorities. 

The CB Scheme is a mutual recognition of test results scheme for safety of electrical products. The CB Scheme is intended to Tacilitate certification or approval at a national level (see Approval Marks above). 

EU notified bodies may accept CB Certificate for issuance of notified body Approval Mark (above). 

The CE marking is not a mark and should not be confused with a mark, certificate, or approval issued by a European recognized third-party (e.g., notified or competent body). The CE marking is a symbol of the manufacturer s declaration. 

The European bodies (especially in Germany) issue certified approvals and marks according to clearly defined standards, which are definitive statements on their assessment results. The European approval term means that the equipment bearing an approval mark has been successfully tested and passed, but more important, approvals are perceived by users and customers as a guarantee that the equipment is safe for use (see Notified Bodies and Certification in Chapter 4). 

If a critical or safety component does not have the proper approval mark, the test and certification body may fail the product or require testing of the component. Manufacturers doing a self-assessment of their equipment should use the same criteria as the EU bodies and select only components that they know have been tested, certified, and bear an EU approval mark. Anything less may require additional testing and/or review by a European component expert. See Figure 6-2 for component acceptance criteria. 

Because of the almost universal acceptance of the European standards (EN and lEC) around the world many suppliers now offer components that are EU type-approved, in addition to the U.S. recognition. The U.S. is also moving toward acceptance of the European product standards. Unfortunately, at this time U.S. and EU product and component standards are different. The United States focuses on fire hazards and materials, whereas Europe stresses shock hazards and construction. Because of these and other substantial safety differences, component suppliers realize the need for dual approvals to satisfy both the U.S. and International requirements. As a minimum, one mark for North America (UL) and one for Europe (VDE) should be considered. Many component suppliers now offer components with this dual certification. A certificate and test report from the testing and certification body supports the type approval mark. The mark is affixed to the component and is visually recognized by interested parties as positive evidence of compliance. 

A EU Type-Approval Mark 1 Component was tested by European accredited testing and certification body and bears the Type-Approval Mark as positive evidence on conformity. Test report is on file with EU body and available on request. 2 End-product manufacturer confirms approval by observing Type-Approval Mark on component and obtains copy of the approval certificate, if necessary, for their technical file. Pass... 

B Accredited Lab tested 1 Occasionally components are tested by a EU Accredited Lab (DAR for Germany) and do not bear a type-approval mark. The lab accreditation certificate, test report, and test verification must be readily available. 2 The lab accreditation certificate and test verification is obtained by end-product manufacturer and placed into the technical file. It is also advisable to obtain a copy of the test report for review. Conditional acceptance (case by case)... 

Certificates and approval-marks. Visible attestations from European accredited testing and certification bodies that provide positive evidence of conformity. Approval marks are product quality marks for safety/EMC compliance. Certificates and marks are supported by verifiable and accurate test reports from EU-notified or competent bodies. Marks and certificates establish the independent verification of a product s conformity that customers may demand. Regular follow-up inspections are performed, on equipment with EU approval marks, by the certification body to ensure ongoing conformity. When issued by recognized European certification bodies, official certificates and test reports provide the ultimate defense of due diligence should a product s conformity come into question. 

A Test Report and Approval Mark from a highly reputable European testing and certification body builds consumer confidence in the equipment s safety, EMC, and quality. To adequately protect the consumer and manufacturer, this safety/EMC certification and approval marking philosophy should be applied to all equipment categories, including components, products, and machinery. Manufacturer s whose equipment truly meet the goals of European Conformity will pass the final test as marketable and approved ... 

First of all the term CE mark is incorrect. It was amended in the directives to CE marking, which differentiates the suppliers self-declaration (CE) from a approval mark (VDE/TUV) Issued by an accredited European Union (EU) certification body. Furthermore, it is not accurate to refer to CE as a self-certification as it is really only a self-declaration and no more. Therefore, it will always be referred to it as CE marking, as used in the directives themselves. It is a symbol of the supplier s self-declaration and not a certification, approval, or mark of any kind. 

Cover the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous goods. The requirements for design, manufacture, modification, repair, approval, certification and marking of transportable pressure containers are included. The role of approved persons to comply with the regulations is explained. 

To be able to EC mark a product, the manufacturer must undergo, for each product and type of valve, a conformity assessment comprising the EC type or design examination and the assurance of the production quality system. The manufacturer must also demonstrate the quality compliances of all sub-suppliers and ensure that all critical parts (or at least pressure-retaining parts) are fully traceable and accompanied by a material certificate. Procedures to certify conformity to PED are carried out by a notified body approved by the member states of the European Community. With completion of the assessment, the manufacturer may stamp the EC mark on the product. 

Apparatus approved by a notified body (certificate of conformity, control certificate) shall be marked by the manufacturer with an Ex in a hexagon according to Fig. 3.1(a). This mark ensures the compliance of the individual apparatus with the specimen tested by the notified body and ensures that all routine tests according to the relevant Harmonized European Norms (if a certificate of conformity has been issued) or all routine tests prescribed in the control certificate have been carried out and passed successfully. According to Directive 82/130/EEC, apparatus with a control certificate shall be marked with an additional S in a circle (see Fig. 3.1 (b)). 

All packaging must be tested by approved test methods by approved testing stations. All possible variations of packaging from all potential suppliers must be tested. The results are then scrutinised by PIRA (in the UK) and, if satisfactory, a certificate is issued. There are strict rules about the marking and labelling of UN approved packaging which must be followed to the letter, or the product which is classified as dangerous may be refused transport of any kind. 

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