CE Marking

The CE Marking is a distinctive physical mark (made up, as the term suggests, of the letters C and E) that is affixed to a product by the manufacturer as a "declaration" that he has applied all applicable EC legislation in the production of the good carrying the mark. It thus also constitutes a sort of "guarantee" of safety and performance for users of the product and for consumers.

The responsibility of affixing the CE marking on a product lies solely on the manufacturer who by so doing declares its products to be in conformity with all relevant legal requirements, in particular those which ensure health, safety, and environmental protection. Only 24 product categories need to bear CE marking. Besides, CE marking does not indicate that a product was made in the European Economic Area but states that the product is assessed before being placed on the market.

Each product falls under one or more Directives, which determine the specific requirements that the products must meet in order to be CE-marked. With specific regard to glass manufacturing, the CE Marking means that the product satisfies all the requirements regarding the marketing of construction products and other applicable marking directives. In addition, the CE marking declares that the product carrying the mark complies with the harmonised European Norms (hENs), which are European technical standards, and has undergone appropriate conformity assessment procedures.

Harmonised European technical standards have been produced under a "Glass for Builidng" mandate given by the European Commission to the European standards making body, CEN. This mandate covers flat glass, profiles glass and glass block products.

Harmonised European standards relating to "Glass in building" commenced on 1st September 2005 for basic products, laminated glass, and insulating glass units commenced on 1 March 2006, whereas standards on thermally toughened alkaline earth silicate safety glass commenced on 1 June 2006.

CE Marking

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