Low Voltage Electrical Equipment is “Any equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 v for alternating current and between 75 and 1500 v for direct current.” 73/23/EEC

　　The European Commission does not publish a list of products to which their laws apply. Rather, they require the Manufacturer to determine the applicability of Directives to their product.

　　The European Standards that are presumed by the European Commission to provide technical definition for demonstrating conformance to the “essential requirements” in the Directives are published in the “Official Journal of the European Community”. While other national, regional or International standards can be used as well, European Standards are preferred since they are presumed by the European Commission to address the “essential requirements” contained in the Directives.

　　You should test your product, determine its conformance to the appropriate legal requirements and construct a corresponding Technical File that should be located in Europe with your “Authorized Representative”. You need to affix the required “CE Marking” Logo to your product before shipment to Europe.

　　In many cases, you can self-certify that your products meet the legal requirements contained in the Directives. In most instances, such a self-certification requires the use of European Standards. There are some products, such as Medical Devices or dangerous machines, which require third party review or assessment by a laboratory in your country that is designated by the Europeans as a “Competent Laboratory”. The “Department of Commerce” in your State or Country maintains a list of Companies which provide services related to obtaining the CE Marking.

　　We would suggest to you to use such “Competent Laboratory” to prepare your “Declaration of Conformity” whether your products do or not require a third party review or assessment by a “Competent laboratory”.

　　The “Declaration of Conformity” must be prepared and must contain the following information:

　　· the manufacturer’s name and full address, Telephone, Fax numbers and E-Mail
　　· The European Directive complied with
　　· Products identification
　　· Standards used to verify compliance with the Directives
　　· Name of “Notifying Body” and its identification Number

　　The The ” Authorized Representative ‘s” name and full address, Telephone, Fax number and E-Mail name and full address, Telephone, Fax number and E-Mail.

　　The “Declaration of Conformity” and the “Technical Files” need only be written in “English”. However, Instruction Manuals need to be in the local language of the end user

　　It is important when reviewing the Directives to address all the possible “essential requirements” having applicability to the product and its foreseeable use. If there is or isn’t any doubt as to whether a CE Marking we advise you to undertake an evaluation of the product by a “Competent Laboratory” against legislative requirements. This should be done prior to export rather than experience the higher costs associated with delayed entry of the product into the European Market because of a possible challenge by Customs officials or some competitor in an EU nation.