The CE marking is carried out to indicate compliance with the relevant EU standards of different types of electrical products, including electronic cigarettes. Find out our checklist to comply with the CE marking obligations.
The CE marking is carried out on different types of electrical materials to indicate compliance with the relevant EU standards; it certifies that the product has been assessed and that it complies with EU requirements regarding safety, health and environmental protection.
The electronic cigarette, as an electrical / electronic product, must comply with the CE marking requirements and therefore is subject to the obligations of the following directives:
- Directive 2014/30/EU (applicable to the electronic cigarette and to the battery charger): Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC);
- Directive 2014/35/EU (applicable to battery charger only): Low Voltage Directive (LVD);
- RoHS3 Directive 2011/65/CE.
Checklist to comply with the CE marking obligations:
Electromagnetic Compatibility Test (EMC)
The EMC Directive applies to all electrical / electronic products regardless of the supply voltage and source. For this reason, the electronic cigarette (even without a power supply) falls within the Directive and must be verified in accordance with harmonized standards through specific tests.
Low Voltage Test (LVD)
The LVD covers the health and safety risks deriving from the use of electrical equipment within certain voltage limits; it concerns electrical equipment with a voltage between 50 and 1000 V in alternating current and between 75 and 1500 V in direct current. It is applicable only if the product is equipped with an external power supply (to be connected directly to the 230V power grid). Compliance with this directive must be verified in accordance with harmonized standards through specific tests.
ROHS Test
The Directive prescribes restrictions on the use of certain dangerous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The limited substances are:
- lead;
- mercury;
- cadmium;
- hexavalent chromium;
- polybrominated biphenyls (PBB);
- polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE);
- bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate;
- benzylbutyl;
- dibutyl phthalate;
- diisobutyl.
These substances must not be present in concentrations higher than 0.1% (0.01% for Cadmium).
Every single homogeneous material that makes up the e-cigarette and all the accessories must be analyzed in order to verify the absence of these substances or the presence in quantities lower than the expected limit.
Preparation of the technical file
The dossier must contain all the documents proving the conformity of the product to the technical requirements. For the preparation of the technical file are necessary: technical drawings, technical and production characteristics of the product, list of any accessories and their technical details, any product variants, test reports of analysis carried out on the product (RoHS, EMC and possibly LVD), the production control procedure. Other data / documents may be requested based on the characteristics of the product.
Affixing of the CE marking and drafting of a declaration of conformity
Once all the obligations have been fulfilled, the CE marking can be affixed to the product. The marking must be visible, legible and indelible and have standard dimensions. Finally, it is necessary to draw up and sign an EU declaration of conformity which certifies the conformity of the product to all legal requirements.
