Directives

Of the product-related directives, there are three types:

Basic Directives
apply to all manufacturers of products and address trade, enforcement, liability and other issues. It is important to understand the implication of these directives, especially concerning enforcement against product manufacturers. Examples of the basic directives are CE Marking, Conformity Assessment, General Product Safety and Product Liability. Some of the Basic Directives which apply to most products and suppliers are:

• General Product Safety Directive - 92/59/EEC
• Product Liability Directive - 85/374/EEC
• Conformity Assessment Procedures and CE Marking Rules - 93/465/EEC
• CE Marking Amendment - 93/68/EEC

Generic Directives
address a specific range or group of products, such as products operating between certain voltage limits (LVD) or products that may generate RF emissions (EMC). These directives cover the "unregulated" sector of products. Typical unregulated products are information technology equipment (ITE), household appliances, etc.

Product-Specific Directives
apply to "regulated" products, such as telecom and medical, as well as other products where extreme hazards exist, such as machinery listed in Annex IV of 98/37/EC. Involvement of an EU Notified Body may be mandatory, but not in all cases. If the class or type of product is regulated by the directive then a European Notified Body must assess it and issue a certificate, prior to the CE Marking. It is necessary to refer to the relevant directive to see if involvement of an EU Notified Body is mandatory for the products in question. Product-specific directives take precedence over all other directives.
In-Depth EC Directive Information:

More detailed information