The EC declaration of conformity is a document whereby the manufacturer ensures either that the product (e.g.
PPE, machinery or
safety component) satisfies the essential requirements of the applicable directives, or that the product is in conformity with the type for which a
type-examination certificate has been issued and satisfies the essential requirements of the applicable directives.
This declaration is issued after completion of all relevant conformity assessment procedures and must, in any case, be drawn up before the product is placed on the market; as a general rule, it accompanies the product bearing the
CE marking.
Contents
As a minimum the following information should be provided:
1) the name and address of the manufacturer or the authorized representative issuing the declaration;
2) the identification of the product (name, type or model number, and any relevant supplementary information, such as lot, batch or serial number, sources and numbers of items);
3) all relevant provisions complied with; the referenced standards or other normative documents (such as national technical standards and specifications) in a precise, complete and clearly defined way;
4) all supplementary information that may be required (for example grade, category), if applicable;
5) the date of issue of the declaration; signature and title or an equivalent marking of authorized person; and
6) the statement that the declaration is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer and, if applicable, the authorised representative.
Other useful information to be included in the EC declaration of conformity is the name, address and identification number of the notified body when it has been involved in the conformity assessment procedure, as well as the name and address of the person who keeps the technical documentation.
Other informationThe EC declaration of conformity must be drawn up in one of the official languages of the Community. If the Community directives contain no further provisions concerning the language of the declaration, the requirements of the Member States to use a specific language must be assessed according to Articles 28 and 30 of the EC Treaty on a case by case basis. However, for products, which are required to be accompanied by the declaration of conformity, it has to be in the official language of the country of use.
In these situations a translation should be provided by the manufacturer, the authorised representative or the distributor. Additionally, a copy of the declaration in the original language should be supplied.
