EC in EC certificate - Is it an EC Certificate or a CE certificate?

fowlsunlimited

Registered
Howdy,

I am currently getting frustrated as I like to know the root of a term I am using as I believe it helps create a better foundation to build off of. That being said is it an EC Certificate or a CE certificate? Additionally what does the EC stand for in EC certificate. I have looked in the directives and on BSI's website, but all I find is that for a CE mark, "CE" stands for the french words Conformité Eurponéene. Does EC in EC certificate stand for European Commission, European Conformity, Eurpoean Community or something else entirely. Additionally what does the EC stand for in EC Declaration of Conformity? Lastly if someone does know I would prefer to know exactly where these things are stated whether in legal documentation or if it is industry standard language where the language came from. I appreciate any help with this.
 
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pkost

Trusted Information Resource
The correct name for the certificates is "EC certificate", they are frequently referred to as CE certificates becasue that is the symbol that is used on products and because it is close enough that people don't realise the difference

CE as you said stands for "Conformité Européenne", but this is not documented in the legislation (https://www.cenelec.eu/faq/faq_entry.htm )
EC (as in EC Declaration of Conformity) I believe standards for European community, but I do not know this for certain and can find no references
 

CharlieUK

Quite Involved in Discussions
"EC" is European Community - and is the term on older Directives that pre-date the New Legislative Framework (NLF) alignment
"EU" is European Union - and is the term on all Directive since around 2010

That said, legally there's no such thing as a "CE Certificate" under CE marking directives - you might have an EC Declaration of Conformity; or an EU Declaration of Conformity; or a Notified Body Certificate or Opinion or EU-Type Examination Certificate

Various test labs like issuing "CE certificates", but they're largely meaningless
 
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