Ecodesign (CE) Certification

Ecodesign regulations set minimum requirements for the environmental performance of energy-related products. The framework directive (2009/125/EC) is being replaced by the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR — (EU) 2024/1781), which extends the scope to non-energy products as well. Requirements are set per product group by separate implementing regulations: matters such as minimum efficiency, standby-mode consumption, repairability, spare-part availability and information obligations.

• Manufacturers of white goods, lighting and heating/cooling equipment
• Manufacturers of electric motors, pumps, fans and transformers
• Manufacturers of IT equipment and power supplies
• Those importing these products into the EU

Mandatory once an implementing regulation has been published for the product group. Conformity assessment is carried out through internal production control (Module A) or a management-system route (the Module B annex); no notified-body involvement is provided for. Ecodesign requirements are mostly applied together with the Energy Labelling Regulation ((EU) 2017/1369): one sets the minimum performance, the other governs how that performance is shown to the consumer.

• Scope and product-group-specific implementing regulations
• Minimum energy-efficiency requirements
• Standby- and off-mode power-consumption limits
• Resource efficiency: durability, repairability, upgradability
• Spare-part availability and access to repair information
• Disassembly and recyclability
• Information obligations: technical documentation, the user manual, and a freely accessible website
• Measurement and calculation methods; verification tolerances
• The Digital Product Passport introduced by the ESPR and provisions on the destruction of unsold consumer products

1. 1Determining the LegislationIt is determined which EU legislation applies to the product. A product can fall within scope of more than one piece of legislation at the same time; all of them must be met.
2. 2Selecting the Conformity Assessment ModuleThe legislation determines the module to follow according to the product's risk class. The manufacturer self-declares under some modules, while a notified body is involved under others.
3. 3Testing Against Harmonised StandardsConformity with harmonised standards published in the EU Official Journal is demonstrated through testing; this provides a presumption of conformity with the legislation.
4. 4Risk Analysis and the Technical FileThe risk assessment, design calculations, test reports, instructions for use and sample labels are compiled in the technical file.
5. 5The EU Declaration of ConformityThe manufacturer or its EU-based authorised representative signs the declaration of conformity. Responsibility rests with the signatory of the declaration.
6. 6Affixing the CE MarkThe mark is affixed to the product in the form and size the legislation prescribes; the notified body's identification number is added if one is involved.
7. 7Retaining the Technical FileThe technical file is retained for the period the legislation sets from the product's placing on the market (10 years under most legislation) and presented to the competent authority on request.

The CE mark is not a certificate but the manufacturer's declaration of conformity, and it has no expiry. However, the declaration remains valid as long as the product and the legislation do not change: the technical file must be updated if the legislation or the harmonised standard is updated. Notified-body certificates (e.g. an EU Type-Examination Certificate) are subject to a validity period.

• The product description, model list and technical drawings
• Risk assessment
• The list of harmonised standards applied
• Test reports
• Instructions for use and warning labels (in the target market's language)
• A draft EU Declaration of Conformity
• Determining the implementing regulation the product group is subject to
• Efficiency and power-consumption measurement reports (under harmonised standards)
• The product fiche and technical documentation
• The energy-label design and EPREL database registration (if within scope)
• The spare-parts list and the availability commitment
• Repair and disassembly instructions

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of pieces of legislation applicable to the product
• The conformity-assessment module — whether a notified body is involved
• The required test scope and number of samples
• The current state of the technical file
• Translation and documentation needs

A Notified Body under CE is registered in the European Commission's NANDO database for the relevant EU regulation and carries a four-digit identification number. Notified body authority is based on legislation and product scope; The authority granted for one regulation does not extend to another. Testing is within the scope of ISO/IEC 17025, product certification is within the scope of ISO/IEC 17065.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• CERoHS
• CEMachinery Safety
• CELVD
• CEEMC
• CERED
• CEMDR
• CEIVDR
• CEPED