Re: What's the difference between CB and CE?
Hi,
CB (when talking about CE marking) means really Competent Body. It it usually a testing laboratory with profound knowledge about the technical standards of the certain product.
But you are partly right in mixing the terms. There are several companies who operate in both areas, i.e. they have a testing division and a certification division. One stop shopping.
E.g.
"From the time the apparatus is placed on the market, the manufacturer keeps a technical construction file at the disposal of the competent authorities. This technical construction file must contain all the technical data needed in order to assess the apparatus’ EMC performance and must include a certificate or technical report obtained from a 'competent body'."
What body to contact depends on what you are producing. See list of directives and standards applicable at:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/reflist.html
Or go and search the EU site (link at the upper right corner of the previous link).
CE is the mark YOU will attach to your product after it has been found compliant to the standards. What kind of bureaucrazy you need depends on your product and the EU Directive that applies.
If you are already testing your product because you need that for your domestic market, ask the laboratory. Knowing your product and the standards applicable, they should be able to help you further. If not, ask the local representatives of global CB's of your trade.
Best Regards
Raimo