General
The CEBEC-mark is a certification mark for low voltage (<1000V) electrical products. The mark is particularly asked for by Belgian consumers, looking for safety, and by the appliance and installation industry, using electrical components with guaranteed quality.
This page informs you about the opportunities that the mark provides and the procedure to obtain
it.
Belgium
In Belgium, a founding member of the EU (European Union), electrical products shall comply with relevant
EU Directives. Electrical products with operating voltages between 50Vac and 1000Vac (or 75Vdc - 1500Vdc) must comply with the Low Voltage Directive.
For many products, the EMC Directive is also applicable and, depending on the product characteristics, other directives may be applicable
too.
SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC is a "Notified Body" in the framework of the both the Low
Voltage Directive and the EMC Directive.
Characteristics of the CEBEC-mark
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The SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC certification system is an example of a
type testing certification:
- typical samples, presenting all design elements, are investigated;
- production is surveyed by regular inspections;
- certified products show the certification
mark: the CEBEC mark.
CEBEC mark on a product means:
- Safety
Products must comply with international safety standards. The standards are based on
EN standards developed by CENELEC, which are based on IEC
standards. Technical developments are constantly monitored, resulting in an
up-to-date set of reliable standards.
- Quality
Appliance and installation components are subjected to severe performance and lifecycle tests.
- Constant production
Regular inspections at production sites guarantee that products
comply with the approved model.
- Independent certification
Test and certification procedures are performed in a modern and independent laboratory by experienced engineers and technicians.
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CE Marking and the CEBEC mark
The Belgian and European law demand compliance with EU Directives and, consequently,
the CE Marking of electrotechnical products. Every product shall bear the CE Marking; products without
that marking are not allowed on the EU market. As such, CE marking only permits the product to be marketed and provides no further information.
Many of the directives, applicable to electrical products, apply a conformity
assessment module without any involvement of an independent laboratory or Notified Body. The CE Marking is no more than a manufacturer's declaration that the essential requirements are complied with.
The CEBEC mark means: continued compliance with international safety standards, confirmed by an independent reputable certification body.
Consumers will continue asking for electrical products with independent certification. The appliance and installation industry needs continued compliance with international standards. CE Marking does not provide this, the
CEBEC mark does.
| | CE | CEBEC mark |
| international standards | no | yes |
| independent laboratory | no | yes |
| continued inspection | no | yes |
Importers of products with CE Marking manufactured outside the European Economic
Area - EEA bear the responsibility of compliance with all requirements of EU
Directives. The CEBEC mark provides a basis for confidence for the importer in the manufacturer.
Also, with the CEBEC mark, the certification file will constitute the requested
"technical documentation", without further complications or costs.
Procedure scheme
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laboratory testing
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pre-licence inspection
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contractual agreement
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annual inspection and market surveillance
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Application
The certification procedure is started by completion of an application form requesting the certification service that is needed, and indicating product characteristics and names and addresses of parties involved.
With the application form, additional product information is to be provided, using a technical construction file. The file should be particularly clear about the various versions and related type designations of the product.
Samples will be requested depending on the design elements to be evaluated.
Their number will be reduced as far as
possible. After testing, the samples are
destroyed unless it is specifically requested to
return them.
Technical requirements
SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC technical requirements are laid down in NBN standards issued by the
CEB/BEC
(the Belgian electrotechnical
standardisation body). These standards are based on international IEC and EN safety standards. Requirements on EMC are not included. NBN standards occasionally include national Belgian deviations.
The requirements for the quality system of the manufacturer mainly involve final
product testing. Of course, compliance
with ISO 9001:2000 will satisfy that
requirement.
Contractual agreement
The certification conditions are set out in a Contract Agreement between the manufacturer and
SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC. In general, the contract allows the manufacturer to use the
CEBEC mark on certified products, under the condition that the certified products are left unchanged, unless the changes were verified by
SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC to be in compliance with the requirements.
The contract also arranges the manufacturer's obligations in the follow-up procedure and the market surveillance which is necessary to protect the integrity of the
CEBEC mark.
Certification Notice
The Certification Agreement refers to the Certification Notice which lists all certified products, indicating names and type designations.
The Certification Notices are managed in a large computer data base which is
meticulously kept up-to-date. Listings are available on-line.
SMT and TMP procedures
At the request of the applicant or the manufacturer, instead of testing the
samples in the SGS Belgium - Division
SGS CEBEC laboratory, they can be tested
at the manufacturer premises within the
framework of the Supervised Manufacturer's Testing or Testing at Manufacturer's Premises
systems. Of course, the laboratory facilities
involved must comply with strict requirements
concerning measuring equipment and
procedures.
CCA and CB procedures
SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC is a signatory to the Cenelec Certification Agreement and is a National Certification Body of the IECEE Certification Body scheme. Procedures are based on
mutual recognition arrangements, which may result in administrative investigation procedures, without testing. Separate lists of
CCA signatories and National Certification Bodies are available. CCA procedures are not accessible for manufacturers outside the EU and
EFTA countries.
One stop service
SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC certification is generally based on international standards. The investigation covering compliance with
SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC requirements is therefore suitable for combinations with other certification services. The Test Report Forms can be used for
CCA and CB procedures; SGS Belgium - Division SGS CEBEC will represent the manufacturers in these procedures if properly authorised to do so.
All European
certification marks for electrotechnical
products are accessible via the CCA
agreement. Similarly, the CB-Scheme agreement
gives access to non European marks (US,
Japan, Korea...).
ISO 9001 certification by SGS Belgium practically covers the technical requirements of the Certification Agreement.
Cost elements
Information on procedures and technical standards is provided free of charge. Information concerning methods to comply with conditions and requirements are provided against an hourly fee.
The technical investigation, including relevant reporting is provided against a fixed price. If the investigation leads to remarks and questions concerning the compliance with conditions and requirements, and eventually to additional testing, the extra costs will be charged against an hourly fee.
The certification contract is concluded, with the manufacturer, against a tariff
system with fixed prices.
Costs for follow-up inspections are charged to the production facility against an hourly fee.
For further information please contact:
SGS Belgium NV
Division SGS CEBEC
Avenue Frans Van Kalken, 9A/box 1
B - 1070 BRUSSELS (Belgium)
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Phone:
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+ 32 (0)2 556 00 20
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Fax:
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+ 32 (0)2 556 00 36
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SGS
Belgium provides market access
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