CE Certification & CE Testing
EU Notified Body NB 2908 for Machinery, Noise and EMC
CE certification is the independent confirmation that a product meets the essential requirements of the EU legislation that applies to it. For many products the manufacturer may declare conformity on its own. For others – such as Annex IV machinery, outdoor equipment with noise limits under Article 12 of Directive 2000/14/EC, or electrical equipment assessed through EU-type examination – an EU notified body has to be involved before the CE marking can be affixed.
TESTPLUS has 19 years of experience in conformity assessment and is one of only seven bodies worldwide notified under all three directives: machinery, outdoor noise and EMC. A single certification body can therefore cover a product that is at the same time a machine, a noise source and an electrical apparatus – with one technical review, one schedule and one point of contact.
What Is CE Certification?
The CE marking is affixed by the manufacturer, who takes legal responsibility for the conformity of the product and signs the EU Declaration of Conformity. A CE certificate is a document issued by a notified body after it has assessed the product – for example an EU-type examination certificate, a unit verification certificate or a noise certificate under 2000/14/EC. The certificate number and the notified body number (2908) are then referred to in the Declaration of Conformity.
Many importers, distributors and public buyers ask for a CE certificate from an independent body even when the law allows self-declaration. In those cases voluntary third-party certification gives the market independent evidence that the product has been examined against the relevant harmonised standards. For a step-by-step overview of the whole process, see our guide How to Get a CE Certificate.
CE Certification Services by Directive
| Legislation | What TESTPLUS does | Typical products |
|---|---|---|
| Machinery 2006/42/EC → Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 | EC / EU-type examination for Annex IV machinery within our scope, voluntary machinery certification, machinery safety tests | Woodworking machinery, lifting equipment (vehicle lifts, MEWPs), refuse collection vehicles, industrial machines |
| Outdoor Noise 2000/14/EC | Annex VI, Annex VII and Annex VIII procedures, sound power measurements | Generators, compressors, construction machinery, lawn mowers, lift trucks |
| EMC 2014/30/EU | EU-type examination (Annex III, Module B) and EMC conformity assessment of the technical documentation | Electrical and electronic equipment, machinery with electrical and electronic systems |
Machinery CE certification
For machinery, TESTPLUS performs EC type-examination for Annex IV machines within its scope – woodworking machinery, lifting equipment and refuse collection vehicles – and issues voluntary certificates for machinery outside Annex IV, such as generators, compressors and industrial production machines. The new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 applies from 20 January 2027; under the Regulation our machinery scope includes EU-type examination (Module B) and unit verification (Module G). Full details are on our machinery CE certification page.
Noise certification under 2000/14/EC
Outdoor equipment such as generators, compressors, construction machinery and lawn mowers must carry the guaranteed sound power level (LWA) next to the CE marking. For equipment with noise limits under Article 12, a notified body procedure is mandatory. TESTPLUS performs Annex VI (internal control with assessment of technical documentation and periodic checking), Annex VII (unit verification) and Annex VIII (full quality assurance), and carries out noise measurements with its own calibrated Class 1 equipment. See noise certification 2000/14/EC and our free Noise Label Generator.
EMC certification under 2014/30/EU
Under the EMC Directive the manufacturer may use internal production control (Annex II) or choose EU-type examination by a notified body (Annex III). The notified body route is typically used where harmonised standards have not been applied or have been applied only in part, or where buyers expect independent confirmation. TESTPLUS performs EU-type examination of electrical and electronic apparatus and of machinery with electrical systems. Read more on our EMC Directive 2014/30/EU page.
CE Testing: The Evidence Behind a CE Certificate
A CE certificate is only as reliable as the tests and inspections behind it. Depending on the product and the procedure, CE testing includes:
- Machinery safety tests – review of the risk assessment (EN ISO 12100), electrical equipment (EN 60204-1), safety-related control systems (EN ISO 13849), guards and safety distances, emergency stop functions and braking times.
- Noise tests – sound power level measurements according to EN ISO 3744 and the test codes of Directive 2000/14/EC, performed by TESTPLUS with its own calibrated Class 1 equipment.
- EMC – assessment of emission and immunity test evidence against the harmonised EMC standards as part of the conformity assessment.
To find the harmonised standards that apply to your product, use our free Harmonised Standards Finder.
Notified Body Certification vs Self-Certification
| Aspect | Self-certification | Certification by a notified body |
|---|---|---|
| Who assesses the product | The manufacturer | An independent body listed in NANDO, such as NB 2908 |
| When it is used | Most products, where harmonised standards are fully applied | Annex IV machinery (depending on the procedure), Article 12 equipment under 2000/14/EC, EMC Annex III, or voluntarily |
| Result | EU Declaration of Conformity | CE certificate issued by the notified body, plus the manufacturer’s EU Declaration of Conformity |
| Market perception | Legally valid where permitted, but buyers may ask for evidence | Independent proof, with the notified body number traceable in NANDO |
How CE Certification Works with TESTPLUS
- Application – send your product details through the online application form.
- Scope review and quotation – we confirm the applicable legislation, conformity assessment procedure and standards.
- Technical documentation review – the manufacturer’s technical file, risk assessment, drawings and test reports are examined.
- Testing and inspection – on the product, at the factory or on site, as required by the procedure.
- Evaluation and decision – an independent technical review of all evidence.
- Certificate – the CE certificate is issued; the manufacturer signs the EU Declaration of Conformity and affixes the CE marking. Our CE Marking Generator shows the correct proportions.
How long a certificate remains valid depends on the legislation and the certificate type – see How long is a CE certificate valid?
CE Certification for US and UK Manufacturers
US and UK manufacturers exporting machinery, generators, compressors, construction equipment or electrical products to the European Union need CE marking before the products are placed on the EU market. TESTPLUS works with manufacturers outside the EU through English-language documentation review, remote meetings and factory or on-site inspections. Our US contact office (+1 614 980 8975) and London contact office (+44 7760 682877) are available during local business hours. Useful reading: exporting outdoor equipment from the USA to the EU, CE marking in the UK and EU authorised representative.
Why TESTPLUS?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Notified body | NB 2908 – listed in the EU NANDO database |
| Accreditation | ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC 17021-1 – see accreditations |
| Three directives, one body | Machinery 2006/42/EC, Outdoor Noise 2000/14/EC and EMC 2014/30/EU – one of only seven bodies worldwide notified under all three |
| Experience | 19 years of conformity assessment experience |
| Independence | TESTPLUS does not provide consultancy; it performs independent conformity assessment only |
| Transparency | Every certificate can be checked through our certificate verification service |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CE certification and the CE marking?
The CE marking is affixed by the manufacturer to declare conformity. CE certification is the assessment carried out by a notified body, which results in a CE certificate referred to in the EU Declaration of Conformity.
Who can issue a CE certificate?
Only conformity assessment bodies notified to the European Commission for the relevant legislation and listed in the NANDO database can issue certificates within mandatory procedures. TESTPLUS is notified as NB 2908 for machinery, outdoor noise and EMC.
Is CE certification by a notified body mandatory?
It depends on the product and the legislation. It is mandatory for certain Annex IV machinery, for Article 12 equipment under 2000/14/EC and when EU-type examination is chosen under the EMC Directive. For other products it is voluntary but often requested by buyers.
How long does CE certification take?
The duration depends on the product, the procedure and how complete the technical documentation is. We provide a schedule together with the quotation.
Can a manufacturer outside the EU obtain CE certification?
Yes. Notified bodies certify manufacturers worldwide. Depending on the legislation, a manufacturer outside the EU may also need an EU authorised representative or an importer established in the EU.
How can I verify a TESTPLUS certificate?
Use our certificate verification page, or check NB 2908 in the European Commission’s NANDO database.
Request a quotation: Contact us · Apply online · +1 614 980 8975 · +44 7760 682877
