What It Is

CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) is the EU's primary conformity marking framework for products under harmonised legislation. It serves as the manufacturer's declaration that products meet essential health, safety, and environmental requirements. Scope covers categories like electrical equipment, machinery, and medical devices via directives/regulations such as LVD 2014/35/EU. Key approach is risk-based, using essential requirements met through harmonised standards for presumption of conformity.

Key Components

• Legislation mapping and essential requirements
• Conformity assessment modules (A-H: self-assessment to full quality assurance)
• Technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), CE affixing
• Post-market surveillance under Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 Built on New Legislative Framework (NLF); no fixed controls but directive-specific; compliance via self-declaration or Notified Body.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandated for EEA market access; enables free movement, reduces barriers. Mitigates liability, ensures fair competition. Builds stakeholder trust, supports tenders; strategic for scale in €5T market.

Implementation Overview

Phased: scope/gap analysis, risk assessment, testing/documentation, DoC/marking, surveillance. Applies to manufacturers/importers in regulated sectors/EEA. Varies by risk: 6-12 weeks self-assessment; longer with Notified Bodies. No central certification; audit-ready files essential.

What It Is

ENERGY STAR is the U.S. EPA-administered voluntary labeling and certification program for energy efficiency. Launched in 1992 with DOE collaboration, it targets products, new homes, existing buildings, and industrial plants. Primary purpose: drive market transformation via trusted signals of top-tier performance. Key approach: category-specific thresholds above federal minima, using standardized tests.

Key Components

• **Performance thresholdse.g., 15% better than federal standards for appliances, 75+ score for buildings.
• **Standardized testingDOE procedures (10 CFR).
• **Third-party certificationEPA-recognized labs/CBs, post-market verification (5-20%).
• **Brand governanceStrict mark usage via Brand Book. Certification: voluntary, annual for buildings via Portfolio Manager.

Why Organizations Use It

• **Cost/emissions savings$500B saved, 4B tons GHG avoided.
• Incentives/rebates unlock.
• Regulatory alignment (benchmarking laws).
• Reputational edge, procurement preference.
• ESG/stakeholder trust.

Implementation Overview

Phased: assess/gap analysis, test/certify, deploy, verify/improve. Applies to all sizes/industries, U.S.-focused. Requires benchmarking, audits, third-party verification.