What It Is

CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) is the EU's mandatory conformity marking for products under harmonised legislation like Low Voltage Directive and Machinery Regulation. It serves as a manufacturer's declaration that products meet essential health, safety, and environmental requirements, enabling free EEA market access. The approach is risk-based, using conformity assessment modules (A-H) and OJEU-published harmonised standards for presumption of conformity.

Key Components

• Essential requirements from multiple directives/regulations (e.g., LVD, RED, MDR).
• Conformity modules: self-assessment (Module A) or Notified Body involvement.
• Technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE affixation rules.
• Post-market surveillance under Regulation (EU) 2019/1020. Self-declaration model, with third-party certification for high-risk products.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandated for covered products to avoid fines, withdrawals, and market bans. Provides single-market access, reduces country approvals, builds trust, and supports fair competition. Enhances risk management and liability defense via documented compliance.

Implementation Overview

Map applicable legislation, conduct risk assessments, compile technical files, issue DoC, affix CE mark. Applies to manufacturers/importers across industries/geographies selling in EEA. No central certification; audits via market surveillance; Notified Bodies for select modules. Typical for SMEs to globals, 6-12 months.

What It Is

ISO 26000:2010 is an international guidance standard on social responsibility, not a certifiable management system. Its primary purpose is to provide a framework for organizations to integrate social responsibility (SR) into governance, strategy, and operations, applicable to all organization types regardless of size, sector, or location. It uses a principles-based, stakeholder-engaged, contextual approach emphasizing relevance and significance of issues.

Key Components

• Seven **core principlesaccountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, rule of law, international norms, human rights.
• Seven **core subjectsorganizational governance, human rights, labor practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement.
• No fixed controls; holistic integration via stakeholder engagement and prioritization.
• Non-certifiable; uses self-assessment, reporting, and communication protocols.

Why Organizations Use It

• Enhances sustainability commitment, risk management, and performance.
• Builds stakeholder trust without certification burdens.
• Aligns with SDGs, OECD, GRI for credibility.
• Drives resilience, efficiency, talent retention, market access.

Implementation Overview

• Phased: assess materiality, engage stakeholders, integrate into systems.
• Key activities: gap analysis, policy development, training, supplier due diligence.
• Universal applicability; voluntary adoption via PDCA cycles.