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
