As consumers, we often come across products with the CE mark and wonder what this means.

Is it a guarantee that the product we are about to purchase is safe or has the product been produced in the EU? Was the product exported from China?

The answer to all these questions is ‘no’.

The CE mark is a declaration that all essential requirements of the applicable European directive(s) have been met when the product was manufactured.

Therefore the CE mark does not indicate where the product was manufactured but that it meets all the legal requirements to be placed on the European market.

The CE mark is also not a guarantee of quality or that the product has been approved as safe by the EU or any other authority such as the Malta Standards Authority.

Unfortunately, the CE mark is one of the most misused and counterfeited marks in the world.

Therefore, adequate market surveillance is crucial to ensure that only compliant products are found on the market.

When a CE mark is affixed to a product, the manufacturer assumes full responsibility for the product’s conformity to applicable EU legislation.

The manufacturer or person responsible for placing a product on the European market must, first of all, determine if the product produced or imported needs to be CE marked – before the product is placed on the market.

Products which by law mustbe CE marked cannot be placed on the European market without this mark.

The types of products that need to be CE marked include toys, electric appliances, electrical products, gas appliances, lifts and machinery, measuring instruments, construction products, medical devices, and personal protective equipment.

If a product must be CE marked, the next responsibility of the manufacturer is to see what European directive applies, and the essential requirements for design and manufacturing in the applicable directive(s).

The manufacturer or his authorised representative should prepare and keep a technical file on the product.

This should hold information that verifies that the testing was conducted properly and that the product complies to the required standards.

This technical file should be presented, upon request, to the relevant authorities.

There are specific rules on how the CE mark should be affixed on products.

The mark should be applied to the product or to the product’s data plate and should be visible, legible and indelible.

When it is not possible to place it on the product due to the nature of that product, then it is sufficient to affix it to the packaging and/or to any accompanying documents.

Such instances arise when the product is too small, or if a product is sold in bulk, such as aggregate used in construction.

Through the Market Surveillance Directorate, the Malta Standards Authority carries out ad hoc inspections to ensure products that are meant to carry the CE mark are accordingly marked and also to detect any dangerous products placed on the market.

The authority also investigates reports on products which, even though they may be CE marked, may still be suspicious. Consumers are to report doubtful products to the Market Surveillance Directorate by calling 2395 2000 or by filling the complaints form found at www.msa.org.mt/marketsurveillance/contacts.html.

customer@timesofmalta.com

odette.vella@gov.mt

Ms Vella is senior information officer, Consumer and Competition Department.