What Is CE Marking? Declarations and Certification

How do marking, declaration and certificate differ?

CE is neither a quality grade nor a mark of EU origin. The informal term “CE certificate” may refer to different documents. When reviewing a quotation or product file, check the document’s exact name, legal basis, scope and issuer.

EU declaration of conformity: the manufacturer’s legal declaration identifying the product and applicable legislation.
Test report: results for a specific sample, method and test conditions. It is not, by itself, a declaration of compliance with all product legislation.
Notified body certificate: a document issued for an assessment required by the relevant legislation, within the body’s notified product and procedure scope.

How is the correct route selected?

Establish intended use, technical characteristics, target market and date of placing on the market. Several legal acts may apply; one fixed list cannot cover every product.
Identify applicable requirements and the assessment route. Define the risk assessment, necessary tests and any notified body involvement.
Compile technical documentation, drawings, calculations, test results and instructions. Issue the relevant declaration and affix the marking once the requirements are met.

FQC Standard’s role and scope checks

FQC Standard is listed in NANDO under number 2674. Requests involving gas appliances, pressure equipment or machinery are checked against the legislation, product group and module. A body number does not establish authorisation for every product or module.

Review authorisation and accreditation scope

What matters for machinery and welded fabrication?

The general application date of EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 is 20 January 2027. Product scope and placing-on-the-market dates matter during transition. EN 1090 construction components and ISO 3834 welding quality requirements are also distinct: an ISO 3834 certificate alone does not authorise CE marking.

Machinery legislation and transition guide

What information is needed for a quotation?

Share the product name and model, intended use, specifications, destination country, planned market date and existing test reports. Scope, samples, tests, site assessment and documentation gaps determine time and cost. A certificate, fixed timescale or price cannot be guaranteed before reviewing the product.