Know when and why these letters appear on a label.
The labels on your gadgets can convey essential information about safe use. So it’s a good idea to understand the meaning of all the different symbols and icons you might see there. A fairly common logo is a rounded CE.
These letters stand for the French words Conformance Européenne, which means “European conformity” in English. Its presence means that the product in question meets the health and safety standards accepted by EU members. You might spy it on many of your electronic devices, but the CE designation is actually a much broader requirement that can be applied to a wide range of products. Under current regulations, CE is mandatory on everyday consumer goods like toys and on expensive purchases like pleasure boats. Other more likely product segments where you might find a CE mark include electronics, electrical equipment, gas-powered appliances, and batteries.
Is it bad if my electronic devices don’t have the CE mark?
Although CE is a European designation, customers around the world can see the label on products that may be bought and sold within the European Economic Area. Currently, 33 countries require the CE designation for a product to be sold domestically. The most likely case you will see an electronic device not CE marked if the company does not ship the item to Europe. If a company isn’t involved in any of these markets, it likely won’t bother seeking additional certification.
In the United States, no regulatory body recognizes the CE standard. But this country has its own series of labels attesting to compliance with health safety regulations. In the case of electronics, you may see several different designations. One of them is the UL mark, which stands for Underwriters Laboratories, and it is found on consumer products, electronic devices, and industrial equipment. ETL certification is another option that can be applied to similar product categories.
Even if you’re considering a gadget that looks like it should be covered by EU rules, there are always exceptions. Health and safety regulations tend to be at least a little complicated around the world, so it is possible that a device falls under a different certification and therefore does not also carry CE.
Why are there two different looks for the label?
The official CE marking used by European regulators features two stylized representations of the letters, each consisting of a semi-circle. There should be enough space between the letters so that if you were to complete the circle of the C, it would simply connect to the left edge of the E.
You may notice products that feature the same two semi-circular letters, but they have almost no spaces. This is an unofficial symbol most often found on products made in China. Having this “China export” label does not mean that the item is dangerous, but it also has no link with European standards.
If for any reason you have safety concerns about a product, regardless of how it is labeled, stop using it immediately. The best solution is to turn off the device and contact the manufacturer with your concerns.
