Vic,
The point I was trying to make was that of the adoption of the
European Directives into the laws of the member states. The
intention of the directives are to make a "level playing field"
throughout the community. The CE mark gives the presumption that
you satisfy these for all member states.
Cheers,
Colin.
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: RE: Packaging vs. Shipping Container
Author: Non-HP-VBoersma ([email protected]) at HP-UnitedKingdom,mimegw6
List-Post: [email protected]
Date: 06/23/99 6:51 PM
Message text written by INTERNET:[email protected]
> I would suggest that a product can be designed, manufactured and
sold within one European Country without having the CE mark
applied. It may well be within the scope of some European
Directive, but as long as it does not cross any National Border
then the CE mark is not required, so long as it meets the local
regulations.<
The New Approach Directives all spell out that you cannot put any product
on
the European market (and that includes the local European market) that does
not comply with all applicable Directives. One of those requirements is
the CE
marking.
Indeed, it has been made clear by various European officials that the
marking is not to enlighten the public, but to help in enforcement of the
regulations. You can only put on the CE marking if you make a Declaration
of Conformity. That one you sign in blood, and if through market
surveillance
practices it is established that you put the mark on, but did not meet the
requirements, they will fine you out of business.
Putting the mark on, but not being in compliance is a punishable offence.
Since there are no borders in much of Europe any longer, once a product is
put on the market in one member state, it does not get inspected in another
member state. Therefore, unless you want to have a dual system (local
requirements and pan-European requirements, the very thing that the Union
wants to do away with) putting a product on the local market = putting the
product
on the European market.
It could be that inspectors in the UK won't do anything if a product does
not
carry the CE marking, as long as it has 16 fuses in the cord and the proper
tick mark.
Ciao,
Vic
