CE compliance is a requirement that should be identified early on in your test system planning, procurement, and development process. Early identification of a CE certification requirement can allow you the time to evaluate your specific requirements and also determine which directives apply to your situation. Once you know the requirements of the specific directives, you can then plan time and resources for the associated efforts that will be required.
Initially, you will need to ensure that your test system design is implemented to support the CE requirements. This can involve safety, low voltage, and EMC considerations as well as mandatory environmental restrictions such as RoHS. Thus, selection of components to avoid forbidden materials, and also specific design considerations (e.g., wiring colors, labeling, physical safety, etc.) must be monitored and considered. Once your design is completed, it is sometimes recommended to do an initial consultation with your CE compliance expert. This can avoid rework and retesting later.
Next, your completed test system(s) will need to be inspected and tested by a CE certification expert. This will take the form of documentation review and confirmation, and then inspection against the appropriate CE directives. Finally, testing is required to ensure that the unit is safe, does not emit/radiate electrical noise above a certain threshold, and also applies with the rest of the various directives. Specialized equipment and knowledge are both required for many of the inspection and testing phases. Additionally, failures during the inspection and testing process(es) may result in rework and retesting. After all testing and inspection is completed, a specific and detailed documentation package must be generated to justify the final certification approval. Thus, you will need to do your homework to minimize errors, and also ensure you have adequate time and contingency plans in your schedule to accommodate these common issues.
CE Certification can be both time consuming and costly, especially if it is not comprehended early in your project plan. Outside specialized certification companies can also add substantially to your total project cost. Selecting a turnkey test system integration partner who understands CE requirements for your equipment design and fabrication, but also has the skills and experience to provide some or all of the CE certification within their business can be critically important. Additionally, leveraging an equipment provider who can integrate CE certification planning, design, assembly, and testing requirements into their project plan can reduce lead-time, total cost, and risk for your project.
Ball Systems has a 50-year background in developing custom test systems, and has designed and shipped systems internationally since the late 1960’s. We offer full CE compliant design, assembly, and certification for industrial equipment and test systems of numerous types, and we provide this value-add service as an option which can be integrated into a turnkey plan so you’re not having to wonder if your design partner, your assembly partner, and your certification partner will all be on the same page and deliver the lowest total cost and lead time with the lowest risk.