“CE Marking” certification for Europe is a “Self-Declaration”, but what happens if it’s incorrect? Many company owners don’t realize the liability they assume when signing the CE documentation.
In North America, most electrical equipment manufacturers are required to have their products tested by an independent testing laboratory, such as UL, MET, CSA, ETL, and TUV. In the US, these laboratories are approved and audited by the Federal Government (OSHA) and are required to prove experience and competence for the accreditation. For the European Union, “CE Marking” “Self-Declaration is allowed.
What’s the difference? With an independent accredited testing laboratory there are some assurances. The correct Standard is chosen, the electrical construction evaluation performed by an Engineer is thorough, and the testing is performed by experienced technicians. With CE marking, none of this is assured. In fact, in the testing and product safety consulting business, products are submitted every day with the CE mark that have multiple problems and hazards.
One of the requirements for the CE Marking is that the owner or CEO of the company sign the Declaration of Conformity. This brings up several questions. Does this person understand the process? Do they have any technical knowledge? Would they know if something was wrong with the product or the test results? Would they even know if any testing had been done or if the proper equipment and procedures had been used? Would they know that a Technical Construction File is required, or that a EU authorized agent is required to hold the report?
Customs and port inspectors in Europe are looking for the CE Marking on all products. Additionally, if there are any questions for any reason, they can request the Technical Construction File. If the file is not with the agent, (or does not exist) the shipment can be delayed, held or turned back. If a CE marked product causes injury or death, the CEO or company owner is held directly responsible in international court – this can result in fines or even prison.
Of course, there are many companies that successfully complete these self-declarations and sell products in the EU without using an independent testing laboratory. Some have experienced people on staff, own the Standards and test equipment, know the Directives, and create an accurate technical file. Others are only placing the CE sticker on the product and are just “Rolling the dice”.
CertifiGroup provides some free-of-charge services to help US manufacturers. Call or e-mail to sent up an appointment at the testing facility in North Carolina. Call 800-321-4655 or go to the website www.certifigroup.com to send an e-mail or information request.
CertifiGroup also regularly provides US (UL) and Canadian (CSA) certifications for North America, SEMI S2 evaluations for semiconductor equipment, ingress protection testing, hazardous (Classified) location certification and field evaluations, generators, solar and wind turbine safety, medical and laboratory equipment.
Showing posts with label UL Standards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UL Standards. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
CertifiGroup Has Alternative to UL Certification, Offers Electrical Product Safety Training in Cary
CertifiGroup is providing UL testing and certifications for local, national and international designers and manufacturers of electrical products and systems. Training classes are available.
What UL Standards apply to my product? This is a typical question for first-time product designers and builders. For individuals and companies new to product safety, these training courses have helped to learn how to submit a product that will pass evaluation and testing. This is the phase where unexpected delays can cause re-design and re-submittal to the testing laboratory.
Product safety training programs can be conducted at the CertifiGroup training facility in Cary NC, or at the manufacturer’s location. These programs can be customized to suit a particular manufacturer and product, and range from non-technical (For sales teams and management) to highly technical for designers, prototype builders and manufacturing engineers. Some of these courses include hands-on evaluation and testing with experienced product safety engineers.
This type of training is not generally available, and there are no university or technical school courses that teach product safety and regulatory. Being prepared can save a great deal of money, and make the difference between a timely product launch, and delays that let the competition jump ahead. The CertifiGroup training program will allow your staff to learn how to design, build, and test products in advance of submittal to a testing laboratory. Some manufacturers do not have the facility or equipment to perform their own testing, however, they will be prepared for the design and prototype phases, and will have access to the CertifiGroup facilities.
Testing laboratories like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) will not provide design assistance and staff training. Instead, the burden of being well-prepared is left up to the engineering staff. If you have all the required materials ready (e.g. product or prototype, drawings, specifications), the testing lab will let you submit a product whether you’re ready or not. Of course, this can mean unanticipated delays, re-design and/or re-tooling costs, missed venture capital milestones, problems with investors etc. With help from the beginning, or anytime before laboratory submittal, these delays and roadblocks can be avoided.
CertifiGroup will provide free initial engineering evaluations for designers and manufacturers. This initial evaluation will include review of applicable product Standards, materials and component selection, engineering drawings and prototype / sample product safety overview. To sign up for this evaluation or to arrange product safety training, call CertifiGroup at 800-422-1651, or visit the website: www.CertifiGroup.com and submit a contact form.
CertifiGroup also regularly provides CE certifications (For Europe), SEMI S2 evaluations for semiconductor equipment, ingress protection testing, hazardous (Classified) location certification and field evaluations, generators, solar and wind turbine safety, medical and laboratory equipment. CertifiGroup was also an exhibitor at the Green NC Building Show, September 9th at the Raleigh Convention Center.
What UL Standards apply to my product? This is a typical question for first-time product designers and builders. For individuals and companies new to product safety, these training courses have helped to learn how to submit a product that will pass evaluation and testing. This is the phase where unexpected delays can cause re-design and re-submittal to the testing laboratory.
Product safety training programs can be conducted at the CertifiGroup training facility in Cary NC, or at the manufacturer’s location. These programs can be customized to suit a particular manufacturer and product, and range from non-technical (For sales teams and management) to highly technical for designers, prototype builders and manufacturing engineers. Some of these courses include hands-on evaluation and testing with experienced product safety engineers.
This type of training is not generally available, and there are no university or technical school courses that teach product safety and regulatory. Being prepared can save a great deal of money, and make the difference between a timely product launch, and delays that let the competition jump ahead. The CertifiGroup training program will allow your staff to learn how to design, build, and test products in advance of submittal to a testing laboratory. Some manufacturers do not have the facility or equipment to perform their own testing, however, they will be prepared for the design and prototype phases, and will have access to the CertifiGroup facilities.
Testing laboratories like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) will not provide design assistance and staff training. Instead, the burden of being well-prepared is left up to the engineering staff. If you have all the required materials ready (e.g. product or prototype, drawings, specifications), the testing lab will let you submit a product whether you’re ready or not. Of course, this can mean unanticipated delays, re-design and/or re-tooling costs, missed venture capital milestones, problems with investors etc. With help from the beginning, or anytime before laboratory submittal, these delays and roadblocks can be avoided.
CertifiGroup will provide free initial engineering evaluations for designers and manufacturers. This initial evaluation will include review of applicable product Standards, materials and component selection, engineering drawings and prototype / sample product safety overview. To sign up for this evaluation or to arrange product safety training, call CertifiGroup at 800-422-1651, or visit the website: www.CertifiGroup.com and submit a contact form.
CertifiGroup also regularly provides CE certifications (For Europe), SEMI S2 evaluations for semiconductor equipment, ingress protection testing, hazardous (Classified) location certification and field evaluations, generators, solar and wind turbine safety, medical and laboratory equipment. CertifiGroup was also an exhibitor at the Green NC Building Show, September 9th at the Raleigh Convention Center.
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