Gas Appliances (CE) Certification

The Gas Appliances Regulation ((EU) 2016/426) governs appliances burning gaseous fuels and the fittings used in them (fittings, valves, burners, safety and control devices). Being published as a regulation rather than a directive means it applies directly in member states without requiring national transposition. Notified-body involvement is mandatory for all appliances.

• Manufacturers of combi boilers, water heaters and gas water heaters
• Manufacturers of gas stoves, radiant heaters and ovens
• Manufacturers of industrial burners
• Manufacturers of gas valves, regulators and safety devices
• Manufacturers of professional kitchen equipment

Mandatory for appliances and fittings within scope, with no exception like LVD's: a notified body is involved in every case. Conformity assessment starts with EU type examination (Module B), followed by selecting a module for the production phase (C2, D, E, F or G). The appliance is assessed against the gas type and supply pressure of the country it will be placed on the market in.

• Scope: gas appliances and fittings; definitions
• Essential requirements (Annex I): design and manufacture, materials
• Combustion safety: complete combustion, flame stability, evacuation of combustion products
• Carbon monoxide and combustion-product emission limits
• Gas-leak and tightness requirements
• Flame-supervision and safety shut-off devices
• Temperature limits, touchable surfaces and adjacent surfaces
• Energy efficiency and the rational use of energy
• Gas type, supply pressure, and country-specific direct gas categories
• Installation, use and maintenance instructions; marking
• Conformity-assessment modules (the mandatory route starting with Module B)

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
• The appliance description, gas category and target-country gas-type information
• Design drawings, the gas-circuit diagram and the components list
• Certificates for the gas fittings used
• Combustion-efficiency, CO/NOx emission and tightness test reports
• Functional test records for the safety devices
• Installation, use and maintenance instructions; the appliance rating plate

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.

• CEPED
• CESPVD
• CEATEX
• CEMachinery Safety
• CELVD
• CEEMC
• CERED
• CEMDR