European Union (EU) Legislation requires certain products to carry CE Mark. CE marks is a label affixed on a product, by which it is ensured that those item fulfils the essential requirements (ie. Health, environment, customer protection) stated on new approach directives. In other words CE mark is like a passport for certain goods to move freely in European market. These goods include medical devices, electrical equipment, lifts, toys, construction materials, simple pressure vessels, hot water boilers, personal protection equipment etc.

CE Marking is a complicated procedure. For lower risk products, the manufacturer can affix the CE mark by decleration, while for higher rik products, a certification institute, so called a "notified body", must take part in the process.

Even though CE Mark is a requirement for all manufacturers who markets its products in EU, only the institutions that are located in EU member countries can be Notified Bodies. In other words, in order to export their products to the EU, exporters must get CE Mark from a EU Institution.

Turkey has a Customs Union with the EU, which gives Turkey certain privilages. Therefore, certification institutes in Turkey can be appointed as Notified Body. Up to now, 3 Turkish Institutions had been appointed as  Notified bodies:

1)      Turkish Standards Institution

(www.tse.org.tr)

a.       Construction materials                                 89/106/EEC

b.      Appliances burning gaseous fuels     90/396/EEC

c.       Pressure equipment                         97/23/EC

d.      Lifts                                                            95/16/EC

2)      Cement Manufacturers Association of Turkey (www.k-c-k.org) 

a.       Construction materials                                 89/106/EEC

3)      Turk Loydu Foundation

(www.turkloydu.org)

a.       Pressure equipment                         97/23/EC

b.      Appliances burning gaseous fuels     90/396/EEC

Exporters can contact these bodies for CE Marking.