Electrical Safety and Performance
GASTEC at CRE (GaC)
Due to our customers' demands for a 'one stop shop' we have introduced electrical testing to our UK facilities offering a quality test service. We see our role, not only to highlight failures and non-compliance but to work with our customers to help them attain compliance in a friendly and professional manner.
The Facts
CE stands for ‘Conformité European’. This mark shows conformity to the European Directive that is relevant to a specific product.
The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) has been mandatory since January 1997 and requires manufacturers to place the CE mark on products within its scope. It applies to items with rated voltage between 50V and 1000V ac.
It is a criminal offence to CE mark a product that does not comply with the LVD.
Failure to comply with the LVD can result in formidable penalties for businesses and individuals, ranging from fines to imprisonment. Product recall and corrective action can be enforced across Europe.
A technical file is required to be produced, the contents of which are laid out in the Directive. This file must be kept in the EU by the manufacturer or their authorised representative, and be available for inspection at all times by trading standards officers. The file must be kept for ten years after the last manufacture date of the product.
If there is an accident involving your product, you may have to go to court to defend it. The basis of your defence will be the ‘Technical File’.
Manufacturers are not forced to use third party organisations to help them comply. They can buy the relevant standard and associated test equipment and train a member of their own staff to perform the tests and compile the technical file.
Many of our customers have asked us to perform this testing for them, and we are happy to help fulfil this requirement. We have experienced staff and all appropriate equipment to apply the relevant standards. The level of help can vary from friendly informal advice to comprehensive testing.
We operate a growing facility under the Low Voltage Directive which, when coupled with our sister organisation in Holland can address all a manufacturer needs when it comes to demonstrating compliance with all other relevant Directives.
