What does official EU guidance distinguish?
The EU's Your Europe guidance describes CE marking as the manufacturer's statement that the product met the applicable EU requirements when placed on the market. It says manufacturers must check whether the applicable legislation requires a notified body; third-party involvement is required where that law calls for it.
RFQ Templates is independent and is not affiliated with the European Union. This article concerns an EU conformity claim appearing in an electrical package RFQ. It does not turn CE marking into approval for a US installation or determine which rules apply to a particular product.
Sources: European Union Your Europe: European Union Your Europe: CE marking, checked 22 October 2026
Which evidence should a supplier response identify?
A logo image, a voluntary certificate and a product-specific declaration answer different questions. Ask the supplier to name the actual route and scope rather than require a generic certificate without defining what it must establish.
| Field | Request | Review question |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Model and supplied configuration | Same quoted item? |
| Claim | Applicable EU requirement basis | What does the claim cover? |
| Declaration | Actual signed declaration reference | Which product and manufacturer? |
| Route | Stated conformity process | What assessment is required? |
| Third party | Body and document if applicable | Required and in scope? |
| Project review | Qualified disposition | What remains open? |
What would an incomplete comparison look like?
Illustrative example. A fictional supplier quote includes a CE logo and a file named certificate but no product reference or assessment scope. The commercial matrix marks all compliance evidence complete without checking whether that file applies to the quoted configuration.
The reviewer retains the claim and marks the evidence question unresolved. The responsible compliance reviewer obtains the actual applicable documents and decides whether the route and scope are adequate. A missing generic certificate is not automatically proof of noncompliance, and a supplied one is not automatically approval.
Where does the RFQ review stop?
Keep the evidence record separate from the technical and legal determination of conformity or installation suitability. Product category, intended use, jurisdiction and project requirements can change what must be assessed.
This is not legal advice or product certification. Engineering sign-off is performed only by the registered engineer on the job.
Common questions
What else should the bid team know?
Does every CE-marked product use a notified body?
No. Check the applicable legislation and assessment route.
Does a generic certificate prove the quoted configuration?
No. Verify its product identity and scope.
Does CE marking establish US installation approval?
No. The applicable project and jurisdiction requirements need their own review.
Primary sources
- European Union Your Europe: CE marking, checked 22 October 2026European Union Your Europe