The CE mark indicates that a product covered by the relevant EU New Approach legislation complies with that legislation and has undergone all required conformity assessment procedures. These are performed by the manufacturer or its authorised representative and, where required, by a third-party conformity assessment body known as a notified body.
WHY IS CE MARKING IMPORTANT?
CE marking is mandatory for products covered by the relevant EU New Approach legislation when they are placed on the market in EU member states or Türkiye. It functions as a passport enabling their free movement within the EU. Because Türkiye implements harmonised EU product legislation, products placed on the Turkish market must also bear the CE mark once the applicable requirements enter into force.
A product that requires CE marking cannot be exported to EU member states without it. Similarly, products covered by harmonised regulations that have entered into mandatory application in Türkiye cannot be placed on the domestic market without the required CE mark.
WHICH PRODUCTS REQUIRE CE MARKING?
The EU's NANDO database lists notified bodies operating in Türkiye and their authorised scopes. FQC STANDARD Uygunluk Değerlendirme A.Ş. operates as a designated notified body under identification number 2674.
The product regulations and categories addressed below include:
FQC STANDARD's experienced and competent team can quickly help determine whether your product falls within a mandatory regulatory scope.
- Medical devices;
- Hot-water boilers;
- Machinery;
- Electrical appliances;
- Toys;
- Transportable pressure equipment (π marking under its specific legislation);
- Construction products;
- Recreational craft and personal watercraft;
- Simple pressure vessels;
- Pressure equipment;
- Lifts;
- Personal protective equipment;
- Gas appliances.
WHAT DOES THE CE MARK ON A PRODUCT MEAN?
CE-marked products are presumed to comply with the relevant EU harmonisation legislation and to benefit from free movement in the European and domestic markets. The mark is the visible outcome of the conformity assessment process and shows that the manufacturer has declared compliance with the applicable requirements. It does not indicate that the product was manufactured in the EU.
CE marking represents fulfilment of the manufacturer's applicable obligations. EU member states presume that CE-marked products comply with the relevant legislation. Unless the marking provisions have been applied incorrectly, the manufacture or market access of compliant CE-marked products may not be prohibited, restricted or obstructed.
WHAT DOES AFFIXING THE CE MARK INVOLVE?
By affixing the CE mark, the manufacturer accepts responsibility for the product's compliance with all applicable EU requirements and for the successful completion of the relevant conformity assessment procedures.
HOW IS THE CE MARK AFFIXED?
The mark must be visible, legible and indelible on the product or its data plate. Where the product's nature makes this impossible, it is placed on the packaging and/or accompanying documents as permitted by the legislation. In principle, it is not affixed until conformity assessment is complete and compliance with all applicable provisions has been established. It is usually applied at the end of production, for example on a data plate attached after final inspection. Where it is stamped or cast into the product, it may be applied earlier, provided conformity is verified as part of production. Visibility means that the mark must be readily accessible to the parties concerned; it may, for example, be on the back or underside of the product. Visibility does not mean that the CE mark must be visible before the packaging is opened. Marking the packaging is mandatory only where the relevant EU legislation expressly requires it. The mark must normally be at least 5 mm high to remain legible. The CE mark may vary in colour or be solid, outlined, raised or recessed, provided it remains visible, legible and correctly proportioned. Direct marking may be impossible for certain products, such as some explosives, or impracticable under reasonable technical or economic conditions. Where the minimum dimensions cannot be met, or visible, legible and indelible marking cannot be assured, the mark may be placed on available packaging and/or accompanying documents where the applicable legislation permits this. The CE mark must not be omitted or moved to packaging or accompanying documents solely for aesthetic reasons.
Where the legislation requires a notified body to participate in production control, its identification number follows the CE mark. The manufacturer or authorised representative affixes that number under the notified body's responsibility where required.
The manufacturer retains ultimate responsibility for compliance with EU harmonisation legislation and for affixing the CE mark. By applying it, the manufacturer declares under its own responsibility that all legal requirements for the marking have been met, regardless of whether a third party participated in the assessment. An importer, distributor or other operator that places a product on the market under its own name or trade mark, or modifies it in a way affecting conformity, assumes the manufacturer's responsibilities. These include responsibility for conformity and CE marking, so the operator must have sufficient knowledge of the product's design and manufacture.
MAY OTHER MARKS APPEAR ON A CE-MARKED PRODUCT?
The CE mark is the mark indicating conformity with the applicable EU harmonisation requirements. Other marks with a different meaning may be used if they do not impair its visibility or legibility or create confusion with it. Such marks should contribute to consumer protection and relate to matters outside the meaning of CE marking.