Certification

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What is CE Marking?

CE Marking is the manufacturer's declaration showing compliance with all applicable directives. For most products sold in the EU, the use of CE Marking and a Declaration of Conformity are mandatory.

With the exception of some high-risk products, most products can be self- assessed by the manufacturer to meet the Essential Requirements. While CE Marking permits a product's access to the EU, it is not an approval certification or quality mark; nor is it intended to be a marketing tool. CE is a "Marking" that is only a declaration of the supplier's own responsibility. While enabling products to be placed on the European market, it only allows for the free movement of goods and permits the withdrawal of non-conforming products.

The CE Marking should not be confused with other approval marks or certifications issued by an EU-accredited certification body. As stated in the European Commission's Guide to the Implementation of Community Harmonization Directives:

"Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that the products they place on the market meet all relevant regulations. Where these regulations do not require mandatory certification, manufacturers often seek voluntary certification to assure themselves that their products do meet the requirements set by law."

The main goals of the CE Marking are to:

indicate a product's conformity with the "essential requirements" of the directives

allow products to be "placed on the market"

ensure the "free movement of goods"

allow the "withdrawal of non-conforming products" by customs and enforcement authorities

CE Marking:

is not a mark or certification or approval issued by a third party

is not a marketing or promotional tool

is not a quality mark

is not for components*
 

TÜV Rheinland GS Mark vs. CE Marking

  
 

TÜV Rheinland GS Mark

CE Marking

 

 

Voluntary

Required

 

 

Only appears on approved products

Appears on all products

 

 

Proof of testing and certification through an independent third party test laboratory

Testing is assumed but
not proven

 

 

Continuous product and production surveillance by independent third party for the life of the certification

No market advantage; Simply a
manufacturer's self declaration
 of conformity

 

 

TÜV Rheinland GS Mark: A symbol for safety and compliance of products

CE Marking: A symbol for trade
with the assumption of conformity

 

*(Although there are some exceptions, the vast majority of components do not need CE Marking.)
 
 

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Approvals to the EU Directives are valid throughout the European Union. ECE Regulations are applicable throughout Europe, including the EU and Eastern Europe, as well as Japan. Also, the Gulf Coast Countries and certain Central and South American countries accept TÜV Rheinland test reports for many ECE Regulations.


TÜV Rheinland Group - E Mark Compliance Procedure - Crash Test on Mercedes Benz

 

Vehicles covered
by the standards

 

Examples of tests performed on vehicles

 

Examples of components covered by the standards

  
 
Passenger cars
Trucks
Buses
Recreational vehicles
Trailers
Motorcycles
Agricultural Tractors
Forestry tractors
Quadricycles
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
 
Brakes
Emissions
Fuel consumption
Noise emissions
EMC
Seating
Lighting installation
Crash tests
Mirror installation
Safety belt anchorages
Rear underrun protection
Interior safety
Glazing installation
Fuel tank installation
 
Tires
Lighting equipment
Safety belts
Safety glazing
Electronic subassemblies
Rearview mirrors
Brake pads
Seats
Exhaust systems
Catalytic converters
Trailer hitches
Luggage racks
 
 

Vehicle Emissions Testing

  


TÜV Rheinland is the world leader in automotive emissions testing, and has been setting the standard for vehicle inspection for more than 30 years.

TÜV Rheinland performs millions of automobile emissions exams every year in countries around the world. In Germany, France, Spain, Latvia, Chile and Argentina, TÜV Rheinland supports emissions testing programs by providing independently staffed and operated diagnostic facilities. These operations provide efficient and cost-effective vehicle inspections to the host country.

In hundreds of other locations worldwide TÜV Rheinland provides technical support and operational advice to state-sponsored emissions testing programs.
 

  

German National Approvals

  


Some vehicles and components are not yet covered by European-wide standards, so they will have to comply with German national standards in order to be used in Germany. TÜV Rheinland engineers are authorized by the German government to conduct all necessary tests for German national approvals: ABE ("Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis" and "Teilegutachten").
 

  

Single vehicle approvals for Germany

  


In case of low-volume vehicle series, it may not be cost-effective to apply for formal European approvals or German national "ABE". Alternatively, TÜV Rheinland can issue official TÜV test reports that allow the owners to register the vehicles in Germany. These reports also help with the registration process in other European countries. Typical applications include limited-series sport cars and motorcycles, specialized trucks and trailers, quadricycles, etc.

  
 
 

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