CE marking is effectively mandatory in most EU Member States. Voluntary marking (for example third party quality marks or third party product certification schemes) do not and cannot have the same status as the CE marking but, instead, are used primarily as marketing tools which manufacturers have the choice of whether to apply or not.

No Member State, public body or other body acting as a public body, is permitted to make compliance with any such voluntary marking schemes a requirement for placing a CE marked construction product onto their market, and there are limits on what they can do with regards to using such schemes as a condition for products being used. However, not all Member States and other bodies always accept these limitations and may, therefore, be imposing unjustifiable and possibly illegal technical barriers to trade.

APSR Associates are willing to represent your interests if you, as a manufacturer, find that you are being obliged, against your wishes, to obtain voluntary marking. In addition, if you decide to obtain such marking for commercial purposes, we can advise you on how best to combine the requirements for CE marking with those for voluntary marking. Contact us via our Consultancy, Advocacy and/or Research Services.