CE Marking

The CE marking on a product is the visible consequence of a whole process comprising conformity assessment under the European Accessibility Act. It serves as a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all applicable accessibility requirements and other relevant EU legislation.

As stated in the EAA, "by affixing the CE marking to a product, the manufacturer declares that the product is in conformity with all applicable accessibility requirements and that the manufacturer takes full responsibility therefor."

The CE marking is essential for products covered by the EAA to enable their free movement within the European market, providing a clear indicator to market surveillance authorities and end-users that the product complies with EU accessibility legislation.

Article 17 of the EAA states that the CE marking is subject to the general principles set out in Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. These principles include:

• The CE marking shall be affixed only by the manufacturer or their authorized representative
• The CE marking shall only be affixed to products for which its affixing is provided for by specific EU legislation
• By affixing the CE marking, the manufacturer indicates they take full responsibility for the product's conformity with all applicable requirements
• The CE marking is the only marking which attests the conformity of the product with the applicable requirements
• Member States shall ensure the correct implementation of the regime governing the CE marking and take appropriate action in the event of improper use

According to Article 18 of the EAA, there are specific rules for affixing the CE marking:

• The CE marking must be affixed visibly, legibly, and indelibly to the product or to its data plate
• If this is not possible or warranted due to the nature of the product, the marking must be affixed to the packaging and to the accompanying documents
• The CE marking must be affixed before the product is placed on the market
• The marking must follow the standard proportions and design as specified in EU legislation

The CE marking is the final step in the conformity assessment process and can only be applied after the manufacturer has drawn up the EU Declaration of Conformity confirming that the product meets all applicable requirements.

The CE marking is directly connected to the conformity assessment procedure for products under the EAA:

• The manufacturer must first conduct a conformity assessment using the Internal production control (Module A) set out in Annex IV to the EAA
• The manufacturer must prepare technical documentation demonstrating that the product meets accessibility requirements
• After confirming compliance, the manufacturer draws up the EU Declaration of Conformity
• Only after completing these steps can the manufacturer affix the CE marking

This sequence ensures that the CE marking represents the culmination of a thorough assessment process, rather than simply being an administrative label.

For more information about the conformity assessment process, see theConformity Assessment page.

Member States play a critical role in ensuring the proper use of the CE marking:

• Member States must build upon existing mechanisms to ensure correct application of the regime governing the CE marking
• They must take appropriate action in the event of improper use of the marking
• Market surveillance authorities check that products bearing the CE marking genuinely comply with the applicable requirements
• Penalties may be imposed for improper use of the CE marking, including the removal of non-compliant products from the market

This enforcement framework helps maintain the integrity and credibility of the CE marking system across the European Union.

For more details about enforcement, see theMarket Surveillance page.

Beyond regulatory compliance, the CE marking serves an important consumer information function:

• It provides a clear indication that a product meets accessibility requirements, helping consumers with disabilities make informed purchasing decisions
• The EAA notes that manufacturers should inform consumers about the accessibility of their products in a cost-effective manner
• The presence of the CE marking, combined with accessibility information, helps create transparency in the market
• This transparency supports the EAA's goal of improving the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services