Standards Comparison

    CE Marking

    Mandatory
    1985

    EU marking for product health and safety conformity

    VS

    IEC 62443

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for IACS cybersecurity frameworks

    Quick Verdict

    CE Marking ensures EU product safety compliance for market access, while IEC 62443 provides voluntary cybersecurity standards for industrial control systems. Companies adopt CE for legal EU sales; IEC 62443 for OT risk reduction and supplier assurance.

    Product Safety

    CE Marking

    CE Marking (Conformité Européenne)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Manufacturer's self-declaration of EU conformity
    • Enables free EEA single market circulation
    • Risk-based conformity assessment modules A-H
    • OJEU harmonised standards presumption of conformity
    • 10-year technical file retention requirement
    Industrial Cybersecurity

    IEC 62443

    IEC 62443: IACS security standards series

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Zones and conduits segmentation model
    • Security Levels SL-T, SL-C, SL-A triad
    • Shared responsibility across stakeholders
    • Seven Foundational Requirements FR1-7
    • ISASecure modular certification schemes

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    CE Marking Details

    What It Is

    CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) is the manufacturer's declaration that products comply with applicable EU harmonisation legislation covering health, safety, and environmental protection. It's a regulatory framework under the New Legislative Framework (NLF), focusing on essential requirements via risk-proportionate conformity assessment.

    Key Components

    • Legislation mapping and essential requirements identification
    • Conformity modules (A-H: self-assessment to full quality assurance)
    • Technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
    • CE mark affixing with notified body ID if applicable
    • Built on OJEU harmonised standards for presumption of conformity Self-declaration for low-risk; notified body for high-risk.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for EEA market access; prevents enforcement, fines, withdrawals. Manages product liability risks, builds stakeholder trust, enables free movement. Offers competitive edge via standards-driven innovation and procurement preference.

    Implementation Overview

    Map directives, conduct risk assessment, compile technical file, execute assessment, issue DoC, affix mark. Applies to manufacturers/importers of covered products; suits all sizes in electronics, machinery, medical devices. Ongoing post-market surveillance required; notified body audits for high-risk.

    IEC 62443 Details

    What It Is

    IEC 62443 (ISA/IEC 62443 series) is an international consensus-based standard for securing Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS). It provides a comprehensive, risk-based framework spanning governance, risk assessment, system architecture, and product development for OT environments, emphasizing safety, availability, and long asset lifecycles.

    Key Components

    • Four groupings: General (-1), Policies/Procedures (-2), System (-3), Components (-4).
    • Seven Foundational Requirements (FR1-7) like identification, integrity, and resource availability.
    • Zones/conduits model, Security Levels (SL 0-4) (SL-T, SL-C, SL-A), over 140 component requirements.
    • ISASecure modular certification (SDLA, CSA, SSA).

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates OT cyber risks, ensures regulatory alignment (horizontal standard).
    • Enables shared responsibility among asset owners, integrators, suppliers.
    • Reduces downtime, supply chain risks; boosts insurance, procurement advantages.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: governance (2-1), risk assessment/segmentation (3-2), controls (3-3/4-2), certification.
    • Applies to critical infrastructure globally; suits all sizes via maturity levels (ML1-4).

    Key Differences

    Scope

    CE Marking
    Product safety, health, environmental compliance
    IEC 62443
    Industrial automation cybersecurity lifecycle

    Industry

    CE Marking
    All manufacturing sectors, EU/EEA focus
    IEC 62443
    OT/IACS sectors globally, cross-industry

    Nature

    CE Marking
    Mandatory EU market access marking
    IEC 62443
    Voluntary consensus cybersecurity standards

    Testing

    CE Marking
    Self/third-party conformity assessment modules
    IEC 62443
    Risk assessment, SL certification, audits

    Penalties

    CE Marking
    Market bans, fines, product withdrawal
    IEC 62443
    No legal penalties, certification loss

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about CE Marking and IEC 62443

    CE Marking FAQ

    IEC 62443 FAQ

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