CE marking of steel products
In the European market, steel is almost always considered a raw material and according to its use it can be included in various directives:
- Construction Products Directive (structures and carpentry)
- Machinery Directive
In order to carry out the CE marking of products in which steel is the main component it is necessary to verify which is the most binding directive or the presence of national laws which impose more restrictive methods.
IN-DEPTH
WHO HAS TO MAKE THE CE MARKING OF STEEL PRODUCTS?
The CE marking must be carried out by the manufacturer or his substitute (authorized representative or importer), established in Europe.
An extra European manufacturer CANNOT perform CE marking even if its products comply with the laws and if he does it, the CE marking is illegal.
ONLY A RESIDENT IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CAN CARRY OUT THE CE MARKING
THE ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE
SATISFIED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE PRODUCT IS SAFE
LAW REQUIRES THE TECHNICAL FILE FOR ALL PRODUCTS, WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION
THE LAW PUNISHES THOSE WHO PLACE PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET WITHOUT PROVING THEIR NON-DANGEROUSNESS IN A FORMAL WAY
WHICH DOCUMENTATION IS OBLIGATORY FOR STEEL PRODUCTS?
To carry out the CE marking of products in which steel is the main component it is necessary to identify which is the most binding directive or the presence of national laws that impose restrictions, for example the Construction Products Regulation 305/2011/EC and the NTC ( Technical Regulations on Construction).
The technical file is mandatory by law and composed of several documents including:
- risk analysis and / or risk assessment performed with a scientific method recognized at European level
installation. - Use and maintenance manual
- Declaration of performance
- CE label
- Bill of materials for the components
- Etc.
The technical file must be made available to the market control authorities.
Failure to present the technical file in response to a duly reasoned request by the competent national authorities may constitute sufficient grounds for doubting the conformity of the product with the essential health and safety requirements.
IF THE STEEL PRODUCT IS A “CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT”, WHAT’S THE LAW ON IT?
A construction product to be CE marked according to EC Regulation 305/2011/CE (link to the official website) must necessarily be included in a standard harmonized with it or have an ETA (European technical opinion), this because the materials and the construction products are classified depending on their use.
Some of them, generally non-structural products such as a decorative wall covering, can be CE marked by the manufacturer without need of certificates. Others, such as steel structures, having to comply with specific laws or particular indications of harmonized standards, can be CE marked only if they have also been certified by a Notified Body or by special procedures.
NOTE: the certificates do NOT constitute the CE marking but are an integral part of it.
THE CE MARK
BASE INFOS
Do you know the basic information on CE marking?
What’s the CE marking?
The CE marking is a mandatory procedure for all products covered by a Community directive, it must be carried out by the manufacturer or the authorised representative established in the European Union, which declares by means of the Declaration of Conformity (or Performance for construction products only), which the product complies with the safety and health requirements, provided for in the relevant Community directives or regulations in addition to avoid problems with the authorities and the police in case of control.
Who should make the CE marking?
The CE marking is a process that must be carried out by the product manufacturer or his authorised representative established in the European Community who, with the Declaration of Conformity, declares that the product complies with the safety and health requirements of the law. You can ask for advice on CE marking, but you can’t let others do it, unless you name a representative, that is, a legal agent. In any case, anyone who sells the product under his own name is totally responsible for it.
If you live in a non-EU country, can you mark CE your product?
No, the directives clearly clarify that ONLY a resident in the European Community can carry out this activity.
Therefore, if a non-European subject supplies a CE marked product, that mark is always illegal, even if the product complies with European laws. It is necessary to distinguish between the product, which enters the EU market, and the producer, if it is outside the EU, the law demands a substitute (importer or agent).
Beware of scams! What is the CE certificate?
The certificate or certification is NOT the CE mark, on this aspect there is a lot of confusion and many scams, for customers and for the authorities. At most, a certificate is a component of the CE mark but does not replace it. Never!
On the CE marking many have an interest in creating confusion! We help you to clarify and you can have our assistance and advice.
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