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Harmonized standards research

This step allows you to freely reasearch the entire EUR-lex harmonized standards database for legislation that may apply to your product.

Up to this point and based on your entered information CERTAIN has helped you identify and select type A and type B standards and safety requirements relevant to your product, based on the directives successfully researched.

To ensure that you include and all the relevant standards including those C standards specific to your product's field or application, you now have the opportunity to research your particular specialist product subject area with a standards search engine.

💡 What are type A, type B and type C standards?​

The A, B, and C types of harmonized standards apply to various product categories.

They are developed by recognized European Standards Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) with the involvement of relevant stakeholders.

There are over 900 harmonized standards in the EU that may apply to your product.

CERTAIN has been developed to simplify your search.

  • A-type harmonized standards:

A-type standards are product-specific standards that provide a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the applicable EU regulation or directive. If a product complies with the requirements of an A-type standard, it is considered to meet the essential requirements of the relevant regulation or directive.

For machinery - DIN EN ISO 12100 - 2011-03

  • B-type harmonized standards:

B-type standards are horizontal standards that support the application of the essential requirements of the EU directives across different product categories. Unlike A-type standards, B-type standards do not provide a direct presumption of conformity on their own . However, compliance with B-type standards can significantly contribute to meeting the essential requirements of specific directives. These standards address general safety aspects that can be relevant to multiple product types.

When a product falls under the scope of a specific EU regulation or directive, manufacturers can choose to use harmonized standards ( A and B types ) to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements of that directive. By applying these standards, manufacturers can streamline the CE marking process and benefit from a presumption of conformity, simplifying their access to the European market.

  • C-type standards:

C-type standards are product specific standards developed by European Commission Mandates. They are not harmonized under specific directives but may be used to support the implementation of legislation or to assess specific characteristics of products. C-type standards are not directly linked to CE marking requirements like A and B type standards.

Summary

It's essential to determine the relevant harmonized standards applicable to your specific product and directive to ensure successful CE marking and compliance with the EU regulatory requirements. Keep in mind that the specific directives and harmonized standards applicable to different products may change over time.

By applying CERTAIN's standards research tools you will always be accessing the current released and valid legislation.

1. Click on Standards Research​

In process step 4 you can search the entire EUR-lex database for further product relevant harmonized standards.

💡 Which harmonized standards can I search for?​

Currently included in the CERTAIN search tool are all harmonized standards applicable to:-

  • Machinery Directive (MD) - 2006/42/EG (MVO (EU) 2023/1230)
  • Low Voltage Directive (LVD) - 2014/35/EU
  • Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) - 2011/65/EU
  • Electromagnetic Compatability Directive (EMC) - 2014/30/EU

With more being added continuously as we extend the scope of the application.

2. Harmonized standards research​

The harmonized standards listed in the lower part of the screen are those that your previous research and selections have chosen and noted up to this point.

Enter your search in the field labelled with the magnifying glass.

If you wish to delete a previously chosen standard from the list, simply use the delete button in red on the right.

3. Enter your search word or text​

CERTAIN will suggest any harmonized standards which contain this word or search phrase in their title and highlight the word in blue.

The number of standards containing this keyword is shown at the top. Use the scroll function on the right to review them all as there will likely be more than the 2 or 3 initially visible in the window.

4. Select the standard​

Click on the standard you wish to add to your research list. The selected standard will be highlighted in blue.

💡 Is CERTAIN's reference list up to date?​

YES. The database is updated every three days. Your search results will indicate exactly when CERTAIN last checked the standard's validity.

CERTAIN also shows the exact title and version number of the standard for reference.

5. New standard added​

The new standard you selected will be added to your research list.

You may search and add as many harmonized standards to your list as you require.

6. Save your chosen harmonized standards​

Remember to click on Save Standards before leaving this area.

💡 Your standards List​

The harmonized standards you have identified and saved here will be listed in your final product documentation.

  • The declaration of conformity or declaration of incorporation
  • The risk assessment

7. Standards research completed​

At this point you will return to the product overview screen. The progress indicator will show that standards research section is provisionally completed.

You are ready to continue to the next step, the risk assessment.

You may revisit the standards research area at any time to ammend your list or check to see if a new version of a standard has been published since your last search.

(v0.0.3)