CE Certification Standards & Process for Electronic Products

CE certification provides unified technical specifications for products traded in Europe, simplifying trade procedures. Products from any country entering the EU and other regions must obtain CE certification and affix the CE mark—it is the passport to access these markets. It indicates that the product meets safety requirements, serving as a commitment from enterprises to consumers and enhancing consumer trust. Additionally, products bearing the CE mark can reduce sales risks in Europe, such as being inspected by customs or market supervision authorities, or facing allegations from competitors.

What Types of ce certificates Are Available?

CE certificates are mainly divided into three types: COC Certificate (Certificate of Compliance), AOC Certificate (EC Attestation of Conformity) and DOC Certificate (Declaration of Conformity). The specific differences are as follows:

DOC Certificate (Declaration of Conformity)

①　Issuing Body: Self-issued by the enterprise

②　Features: A self-declaration document. Enterprises must establish a complete Technical Construction File (TCF) and bear legal responsibilities.

③　Application Scenarios: Applicable to all products requiring CE certification, especially mass-produced or low-risk products. It is a mandatory document for customs clearance.

COC Certificate (Certificate of Compliance)

①　Issuing Body: Third-party institutions (e.g., intermediaries or testing and certification bodies)

②　Features: Must be accompanied by technical documents (TCF) such as test reports. Enterprises are required to sign the Declaration of Conformity.

③　Application Scenarios: Suitable for most products requiring third-party certification, especially low-risk fields or those not mandating involvement of Notified Bodies.

④　AOC Certificate (EC Attestation of Conformity)

⑤　Issuing Body: EU Notified Body (NB)

⑥　Features: Only NB has the authority to issue this certificate, which has legal effect. It usually requires stricter factory audits combined with quality control modules (e.g., Module D/E).

⑦　Application Scenarios: High-risk products (e.g., machinery, building materials) or fields explicitly requiring NB involvement as per relevant directives.

ce certification process for Electronic and Electrical Products

1. The applicant company fills in the application form, provides required documents, including the application form, product user manual and technical files.

2. The certification body evaluates CE certification standards and test items, then issues a quotation.

3. The applicant company confirms the project and sends product samples to the body.

4. The laboratory arranges product testing and audits the completeness of technical documents.

5. After the product passes the tests, the laboratory provides the applicant company with product test reports or technical construction files, and issues the CE certificate upon successful testing.

6. The applicant company signs the CE self-declaration of conformity and affixes the CE mark on the product.

CE Certification Document Checklist for Electronic and Electrical Products

①　Name and address of the manufacturer (and eu authorized representative)

②　Product name, model number, etc.

③　Product manual (including operation instructions, emergency handling measures, and detailed technical parameters such as voltage, current, and power)

④　Safety design documents (including key structure drawings that reflect creepage distance, clearance, insulation layers and thickness)

⑤　Product technical specifications (or enterprise standards) and established technical documentation

⑥　Product electrical schematic diagrams, block diagrams and circuit diagrams, etc.

⑦　List of key components or raw materials (preferably products with European certification marks)

⑧　Testing Report

⑨　Relevant certificates issued by EU Notified Body (NB) (for modules other than Module A)

⑩　EU product registration certificate (for certain products, e.g., Class I medical devices, general IVD in vitro diagnostic medical devices)

⑪　CE Declaration of Conformity (DOC)

Note: All the above documents must be provided in English.

What Are the CE Certification Standards for Electronic Products?

Common electronic products applying for CE certification need to comply with the following directives:

①　EMC Directive (2014/30/EU)

②　LVD Directive (2014/35/EU)

③　MD Directive (2006/42/EC) (for mechanical products)

Common Standards for EMC Directive

Industrial Product Standards and Test Types

①　EN 55011

②　EN 50081-2

③　EN 50082-2

EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) Tests

①　Conducted Emission Test: EN 55011

②　Radiated Emission Test: EN 55011

EMS (Electromagnetic Susceptibility) Tests

①　Conducted Immunity Test: EN 61000-4-6

②　Radiated Immunity Test: EN 61000-4-3

③　Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Immunity Test: EN 61000-4-2

④　Electrical Fast Transient/Burst Immunity Test: EN 61000-4-4

⑤　Power Frequency Magnetic Field Immunity Test: EN 61000-4-8

⑥　Surge Immunity Test: EN 61000-4-5

⑦　Voltage Dips, Short Interruptions and Voltage Variations Immunity Test: EN 61000-4-11

Standards for Other Product Categories

①　EN 55013: Applicable to broadcast receivers and auxiliary equipment

②　EN 55014: Applicable to household appliances and portable tools

③　EN 55015: Applicable to lighting products

For equipment with a supply voltage of AC 50–1000V or DC 75–1500V, in addition to complying with the EMC Directive, it must also meet the requirements of the LVD Directive (low voltage directive).

Common Standards for LVD Directive

①　Household appliances: EN 60335

②　Lighting products: EN 60598

③　Audio-visual products: EN 60065

④　Information technology equipment: EN 60950

⑤　Electrical machinery: EN 60204

⑥　Measuring instruments: EN 61010

For products classified as mechanical products, CE certification requires compliance with the MD Directive (Machinery Directive) for mechanical safety.

Common Standards for MD Directive

①　EN ISO 12100:2010

②　EN 60204-1:2006+A1:2009+AC:2010

Key Factors Affecting ce certification costs for Electronic Products

The cost of CE certification depends on the certification body and applicable product directives, as different products involve different test items. For common electronic and electrical products, tests are generally divided into EMC and LVD directives.

①　CE certification for mechanical products is more expensive, as it involves factory audit and evaluation.

②　Additional costs may arise if customers specify non-mandatory directives (e.g., requiring emc testing when only LVD is mandatory).

③　Some customers arbitrarily select directives for promotional purposes, but ce regulations stipulate that products must pass tests for all applicable directives before the CE mark can be affixed.

Lead Time for CE Certification of Electronic Products

The lead time for CE certification of electronic products is usually 5–7 working days, but the specific cycle varies depending on product type, functional complexity and certification body. Detailed explanations are as follows:

General Electronic and Electrical Products

These products usually only need to comply with the LVD and EMC directives, so the certification cycle is relatively short. For products with simple structure and functions and fewer test items, certification can generally be completed within 5–7 working days. Examples include ordinary small electric heaters and electric kettles, which typically take 7–10 working days.

Electronic Products with Wireless Functions

In addition to LVD and EMC directives, these products must comply with the RED Directive (Radio Equipment Directive).

①　Simple wireless products (e.g., devices with only Bluetooth function): ~2 weeks

②　Products with multiple integrated wireless functions (e.g., WIFI, GPS positioning, Bluetooth module, 2G/3G/4G internet access): 4–6 weeks

Electronic Products with Complex Functions

For electronic products with integrated complex electronic control systems, multiple functions or high-precision electronic control requirements (e.g., smart massagers, multi-functional food processors), the certification cycle may be further extended. These products require comprehensive tests for electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility. If unqualified items need rectification during testing, the certification cycle may be extended to 3–4 weeks or even several months.

Impact of Certification Bodies and Processes

The work efficiency, process optimization and scheduling of different certification bodies will affect the certification cycle. In addition, the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of technical documents and materials provided by enterprises (e.g., English manuals, circuit schematic diagrams, test reports) will also impact the certification progress.