The CE symbol signifies "Conformitè Europèenne", and indicates that the product that carries it complies with the essential requirements set forth in the Directives relating to safety, public health, consumer protection, etc.
The CE mark must be affixed to certain types of products by the manufacturer which, with it, self-certifies correspondence (or conformity) with the essential requirements for their marketing and use in the European Union. The marking is required by law to be able to market the product in the countries adherent to the European Economic Area (EEA).
Examples of some directives requiring the CE mark are the Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive, EMC Directive, Directive for Pressure Systems, the Directive for Medical Devices. The full list is available on www.newapproach.org. The European Directive 89/106/EEC transposed in Italy with D.P.R. 246/93 aims to ensure the free movement of construction products to supersede any national protectionist barriers in European Community countries. The principal steps to follow are:

• determine which directives apply to the product in question;
• for each applicable directive identify the standards which are applicable to the product (if one follows the path of presumption of conformity).

It is therefore necessary to assess the requirements of matching standards and related tests and measures necessary to be effected. As mentioned previously, analysis and regulatory compliance is not enough. Some requirements specified in the directives may not be present in the matching standards; also laws transposing the Directive may differ between countries. The full conformity must be effectuated based on both the rules and directives and the legislation of each individual EU country where the product is marketed.
The manufacturer shall provide, as a minimum, a technical dossier in which the indications of the criteria adopted are collected to respond to the safety requirements and minimise residual risk. Other additional requirements are eventually indicated in the Directive.
It is important to underscore that whoever imports products from extra-EU countries is subject to the same obligations as European producers, and therefore must affix the EC mark on products.