How do I Self certify an electrical product to use the CE mark for the European market?

Question

I am considering developing a commercial use electrical product for sale within the EU and need to know how to self certify the CE mark.

Independant testing is very expensive and I do not believe it is necessary.

What guidlines do I need to follow to meet the requirements?

The product is an outdoor refrigeration condensing unit to be used as a component within a commercial refrigeration system. It is for commercial use only and not domestic.

Commonly found in small supermarkets etc. it provides the cooling to the indoor cabinet keeping the products cold.

I will have to provide for RoHS, LVD, WEEE and also provise a technical design file as per the CE requirements but is this a difficult thing to complete by myself?

Answer 1

To self certify, I believe, all you need to do is provide a letter of declaration - however you had better be sure that the product meets the standards.
You'd probably better show some evidence that you've done your due diligence in meeting the EN standard.
Not knowing what the product is I can't say what standards you need to meet - you'll have to work that out (try asking the TuV or Semko). I'd hazard a guess that you'll need to meet EN60335:1 - 2002 and what ever relevant part of EN60335:2:xx - 200X, not to mention EN50366 (? I forget the number - the one about electrical appliances and the EMC)
Check EN60335:1 - 2002 Clause 19 because that's really pretty vital if you don't want to burn people's houses down.
There's a whole lot of other standards to meet as well - chances are a customer won't touch your product if it isn't GS approved by a respectable laboratory. And I find sometimes customs can be a bit funny in some European countries ... Holland for one (no offense Dutch people) ... if you can't provide an up to date CE file which will need to include your GS approval certificate and LVD certificate.
One more thing - have you heard of RoHS? - EC 2002/95/CE - because if you're producing an electrical appliance you MUST conform to RoHS as of summer this year. You'll need to provide a declaration for this and you'll probably be asked for a technical report to prove compliance.

And then there's the good old WEEE directive which keeps getting delayed - but I think is in force in some EU countries...


Hope this helps a little.

Answer 2

You have to demonstrate compliance to the various directives applicable to your particular product. You do this by a tech design file, which contain your decision making backup and justifications - a "one-time" activity, and a tech construct file, which contains your evidence of compliance with your design, including material certs and vendor certifications for the various parts and materials the design specifies - a "repetitive" activity for every time you build.

If you need more details - e-mail me.

Answer 3

Use a testing lab. Try MET Laboratories.

Answer 4

a big faq on that page
i think i might help you, if it doesn't i'm sorry =)

edit: btw what is that electric product?