CE marking: the key to a safe and regulated marketplace
Last updated:
10/4/2025
The CE mark is a familiar symbol found on numerous products, from toys to medical devices to building materials. But what does it really mean? Why is it so important to businesses and consumers? And what role do legislation and standards play in it?
"CE marking is a powerful instrument of European policy," says Johan Haelterman, CEO of NBN. "It ensures that products meet strict requirements and can circulate freely on the European market. It not only provides economic benefits, but also increases the safety, durability and reliability of products."
CE stands for Conformité Européenne, or "in accordance with European regulations. It means that a product complies with the essential requirements around safety, health and environmental protection, as laid down in European directives and regulations. This applies to a wide range of products, including electrical appliances, construction materials and personal protective equipment.
However, the CE mark is not a seal of approval or a quality label. It does not guarantee that a product is the best on the market, but it does guarantee that it complies with applicable EU requirements. Manufacturers are themselves responsible for affixing the CE mark and must be able to demonstrate that their product conforms to the regulations.
CE marking offers numerous benefits to companies:
The basis for CE marking lies in European legislation. Directives and regulations establish the rules that products must comply with. Directives must first be transposed into national law by member states, while regulations apply directly in all EU countries.
A good example is Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment. This sets out the requirements that products such as gloves and safety glasses must meet to ensure the safety of users.
To demonstrate conformity with legislation, companies can use harmonized standards. These are EU-recognized technical specifications that specify how a product can meet legal requirements. The use of these standards is voluntary in most cases, but offers a major advantage: if a product follows a harmonized standard, it is automatically presumed to be compliant with legislation.
Johan emphasizes the importance of this: "Standards make it easier for companies to meet CE requirements. They provide a clear framework and avoid interpretation problems. At NBN, we manage more than 40,000 standards that help companies make products safer and more durable."
Inge De Witte, certification manager at Centexbel, sees daily how companies struggle with CE marking. "Many SMEs have questions about the procedure and obligations," she says. "We help them through the certification process and make sure they comply with the legislation."
According to De Witte, CE marking is not only a legal obligation but also an asset: "Companies that apply CE marking correctly face fewer problems during market and customs inspections. Moreover, it provides consumers with a uniform level of health, safety and environmental protection."
Want to learn more about CE marking and how your Organisation can comply with it? Download our comprehensive white paper and find out how to make the most of regulations and standards.
