What It Is

CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) is the manufacturer's legally binding declaration that a product complies with applicable EU harmonisation legislation. It's a regulatory marking framework, not an approval or quality seal, ensuring health, safety, environmental protection, and free market access. Scope targets specific categories like low-voltage equipment, machinery, toys via New Legislative Framework (NLF). Employs risk-based conformity assessment modules (A-H).

Key Components

• Essential requirements from directives/regulations
• Harmonised standards (OJEU-published) for presumption of conformity
• Conformity procedures: self-assessment or notified body involvement
• Technical documentation and EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
• CE mark affixation, post-market surveillance under Reg. 2019/1020 No fixed controls; legislation-specific, anchored in NLF principles.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory for EEA sales of covered products; prevents fines, withdrawals, seizures. Drives single-market scale, procurement wins, liability shields. Offers standards "safe harbor" for innovation, builds stakeholder trust, ensures fair competition.

Implementation Overview

Map legislation, risk-assess, test/audit, compile/retain technical file (10 years), issue DoC, affix mark. Applies to manufacturers, importers across sizes/industries in EEA. Self-assessment common; notified body audits for high-risk; no central certification.

What It Is

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards are the world's most used modular framework for sustainability reporting. They enable organizations to disclose significant economic, environmental, and social impacts using an impact-centric materiality approach, focusing on effects on stakeholders rather than just financial materiality.

Key Components

• Universal Standards (GRI 1: Foundation, GRI 2: General Disclosures, GRI 3: Material Topics) for baseline requirements.
• Sector Standards for high-impact industries like oil & gas, mining.
• Topic Standards (e.g., GRI 403 Occupational Health & Safety, GRI 308 Supplier Environmental Assessment) with specific disclosures.
• Built on principles like accuracy, balance, verifiability; requires GRI Content Index for compliance.

Why Organizations Use It

• Meets regulatory alignment (e.g., EU CSRD), enhances stakeholder trust.
• Drives risk management, benchmarking, and strategic ESG integration.
• Builds credibility with investors, civil society; supports double materiality.

Implementation Overview

Phased approach: materiality assessment, data systems, reporting via standalone or integrated reports. Applies globally to all sizes; voluntary but audit-ready; no formal certification, emphasizes traceability and assurance.