When I tell people that I’m always the first person to examine the EU Declaration of Conformity when purchasing new products, I get irritated looks. Is reading a Declaration of Conformity an occupational disease?
As a consultant on CE-related issues, I have repeatedly come to the conclusion that many manufacturers have problems with the legal classification of their products and that they actually don’t know exactly what an EU Declaration of Conformity is and what issuing one involves.
A Declaration of Conformity is generally a written confirmation from the individuals responsible that the specified characteristics have been complied with and are fulfilled. For example, a manufacturer, dealer or service provider indicates that their product or service contains the characteristics specified in the Declaration of Conformity.
In order to harmonise the European Community market, the EU provides legally binding characteristics for certain products.
In the EU Declaration of Conformity, the manufacturer confirms that a product they have placed on the market complies with the essential health and safety requirements of all relevant European Directives and Regulations. The manufacturer declares that their product complies with legal requirements.
In order to issue an EU Declaration of Conformity, the manufacturer must first carry out a conformity assessment procedure. This includes:
Identifying which EU harmonisation legislation applies to their product
Fulfilling all requirements
Demonstrating conformity
For machines, this means, for example:
Compliance with all basic health and safety requirements, in accordance with Annex I of the Machinery Directive
Creating a risk assessment
Creating an operating manual
If necessary, translation into the local languages where the machine is in operation.
Provide technical documentation in order to assess compliance of the machine with the requirements of the Directive:
Descriptions of the machine, overview drawings, wiring diagrams; explanation of operation, complete detailed drawings, calculations, test results, certificates, applied standards; all technical reports with test results, a Declaration of Incorporation and installation instructions for installed incomplete machines, a Declaration of Conformity and operating instructions for installed machines
The EU Declaration of Conformity completes the "CE Process". After the signature, the CE Marking for the product can be performed.
Each EU Directive sets the minimum content of the EU Declaration of Conformity for its scope. This includes information about the manufacturer, the identification of the product, the relevant harmonisation legislation, the harmonised standards applied, the participation of involved bodies and a declaration of compliance with all requirements by the manufacturer.
The EU Declaration of Conformity is signed on behalf of the company. The location, date, name and function of the signatory must be specified.
The Declaration of Conformity is therefore an important means of communication between the manufacturer and their customers: The manufacturer not only meets statutory obligations, but also demonstrates competence, thereby building customer trust in the product. Which is why for me, as a person purchasing a product, reading this Declaration is not just an occupational disease...