CE

The CE mark, or formerly EC mark, is a mandatory conformity marking for certain products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1985. The CE marking is also found on products sold outside the EEA that are manufactured in, or designed to be sold in, the EEA. This makes the CE marking recognizable worldwide even to people who are not familiar with the European Economic Area. It is in that sense similar to the FCC Declaration of Conformity used on certain electronic devices sold in the United States. It consists of the CE logo and, if applicable, the four digit identification number of the Notified Body involved in the conformity assessment procedure. The CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that the product meets the requirements of the applicable EC directives. Officially, "CE" is an abbreviation of Conformité Européenne, meaning European Conformity. However, "CE" originally stood for "Communauté Européenne", French for "European Community". In former German legislation, the CE marking was called "EG-Zeichen" meaning "European Community mark". The CE marking is a symbol of free marketability in the European Economic Area (Internal Market).