The European Union (EU) is formerly known as the European Community (EC) and is defined by the geographic and economic union formed by various European countries that are bound by the Treaty of Rome and the 1992 Treaty on European Union. The EU first member states consisted of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In May 2004 Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia where added. Four additional countries are candidates for Membership:Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Turkey. (other types of Declarations exist)

Before the implementation of CE Marking, a manufacturer wanting to sell products in more than one country within the European Union would be required to meet each country’s national requirement.  Quite often the product would also have to bear the appropriate safety mark for each country for which the product would be sold. To simplify the process, the EU has developed harmonized European standards in key product categories to replace these existing national standards.  The guidelines for compliance using these harmonized European standards are published in what is referred to as the “New Approach” Directives.  Of the 300+ European Directives, 20 of them are considered “New Approach” since they have been published after 1987.  Some of them include:

 

 

Directive	Directive No.
EMC	2004/108/EC
Machinery	98/37/EC
Low Voltage	2006/95/EC
Toy Safety	88/378/EEC
General Safety	2001/95/EC
Medical	93/42/EEC
ATEX	93/15/EEC

Because the new approach guidelines are general in nature, the EU developed harmonized standards known as the European Norms (EN). These standards were written by two organizations: European Committee for Standardization (CEN): A standards body established to develop the harmonized non-electrical standards and the essential health and safety requirements related to the design and construction of machinery. European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC): A standards body established by the EU to develop the harmonized electrical standards.

Each directive differs slightly in the requirements in how a manufacturer must show compliance in order to place the CE Mark on the product.  F-Squared’s expertise can assist you in counseling you through the muddy waters of the proper directives for your products.

 

F-Squared Laboratories is equipped to evaluate a wide range of products which fall under the following categories:

 

Ø      Information Technology Equipment

Ø      Laboratory Equipment

Ø      Measurement Equipment

Ø      Heavy Industrial Equipment

Ø      Scientific Equipment

Ø      Medical Equipment

Ø      HVAC Equipment

Ø      Hazardous Location Equipment

Ø      Commercial Equipment

Ø      Consumer Equipment

Ø      --and more

 

CE Marking is a self-declaration however; it does not protect the manufacturer from liability issues.  By using a third party testing and certification laboratory, like F-Squared Laboratories, provide the appropriate evidence that you have performed the proper testing and can help reduce the liability risk.  At the same time, provide your customers that extra level of confidences knowing that an external testing facility has evaluated your product.  F-Squared Laboratories’ experience, accreditations and services will help you through every step of the evaluation process in a timely and cost effective manner. 

 

ü      Relationship with European Notified Bodies

ü      Accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)

ü      Federal Communications Commissions (FCC)

ü      Industry Canada (IC)

ü      On-site Testing

ü      CE Marking

 

 

Here are a few highlights of why other manufacturers have chosen F-Squared Laboratories for their testing needs:

 

Ø      Experienced Engineers

Ø      Customer-First Attitude

Ø      Fast Turn Around Time        

Ø      Consulting Services

Ø      On-Site Testing Capabilities

Ø      Lower Costs in the end

Ø      Reduced field failures and latent defects with your products

 

Other Services

If your need is “one-stop shopping”, F-Squared Laboratories can help.  We offer a variety of other testing services:

 

ü      Safety Testing for U.S. and Canada

ü      FCC Testing

ü      Industry Canada Testing

ü      CB Scheme

ü      Australian Approvals

ü      Training and Seminars

ü      Diagnostic/“De-bugging” Testing

ü      EMC Pre-Scans

ü      Concurrent Testing

ü      Technical File Preparation

ü      Preliminary Design Evaluations

ü      Field Labeling for US & Canada