{"id":5955,"date":"2022-11-14T20:55:59","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T19:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tice.joselacomba.com\/?p=2671"},"modified":"2026-09-17T08:05:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T06:05:11","slug":"do-you-know-the-difference-between-ce-marking-and-china-export","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grupo-tice.com\/en\/marcado-ce-vs-china-export-conoces-la-diferencia\/","title":{"rendered":"CE Marking on Chinese Machinery: How to Check Whether it is Valid"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A company receives a machine manufactured in China. The CE symbol appears on the plaque, but the declaration of conformity is generic; the manual is poorly translated; and some data do not match the equipment delivered. Can it be put into operation safely and with supporting documentation?
The answer cannot be obtained by looking solely at the logo. The spacing between the letters can be a first warning sign, but the validity of the CE marking depends on the actual compliance of the machine, the documentation that supports it, and the obligations that correspond to the manufacturer and the importer.<\/p>

Quick response<\/strong>. The so-called \u201cChina Export\u201d is not an officially recognized brand by the European Union. The term is popularly used to describe symbols similar to the CE marking, incorrect reproductions or potentially misleading uses. Too close letters can alert us, but only the joint review of the machine, the declaration of conformity and the technical documentation allows us to assess whether the marking is correctly supported.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Is the CE Marking for China Exports really available?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For years it has been spread that there are two distinct symbols: the European CE, associated with compliance with European Union legislation, and another seemingly similar one that would mean \u201cChina Export\u201d. This explanation is simple and has become popular on the internet, but it does not accurately reflect the position of European institutions.<\/p>


In one European Commission response to the European Parliament<\/a>, The Commission indicated that it had no record of the existence of an official brand named \u201cChina Export\u201d. Therefore, it is more correct to speak of an incorrectly reproduced CE mark, applied without sufficient backing or likely to mislead.<\/p>


This does not mean that the problem is minor. European legislation prohibits placing marks, signs or inscriptions that could mislead about the meaning or the graphic design of the CE marking. However, automatically attributing any deformed logo to an alleged official Chinese brand can lead to erroneous conclusions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Can a machine manufactured in China have a Valid CE Marking?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Yes. The country of manufacture does not determine the validity of the marking. A machine produced in China, the United States, or any other country can be marketed in the European Union if it complies with the legislation applicable to it and the conformity assessment procedure has been followed correctly.<\/p>

According to the Official portal of the European Union on CE marking<\/a>, The marking indicates that the manufacturer declares that the product complies with applicable European requirements. It is not a quality mark, a general approval, or a commercial guarantee regarding the performance of the equipment.<\/p>


In industrial machinery, the symbol must be the visible result of a technical process. This process requires identifying the applicable legislation, assessing the risks, designing or verifying the safety measures, preparing the necessary technical documentation and issuing the corresponding declaration of conformity.<\/p>

It is also not correct to assume that all machines need a certificate issued by an external entity. The intervention of a notified body is only mandatory when the applicable procedure for the product so requires. In other cases, legislation allows the manufacturer to carry out the conformity assessment under their own responsibility.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Visual differences between the official CE marking and a dubious symbol<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Visual revision is useful as a first filter. The official design maintains defined proportions between the C and the E; both letters should have the same height and retain their geometry when the symbol is enlarged or reduced. In general, the marking must be visible, legible, and indelible and must respect a minimum height of 5 mm, unless specific legislation states otherwise.<\/p>


Excessively close, deformed, out of alignment, or with strokes that do not respect the official design letters can create doubts. It is also necessary to check where the symbol appears and whether it is integrated coherently into the machine's product information plate. However, a perfectly drawn logo may have been placed without there being a valid assessment. Similarly, a graphic irregularity does not in itself allow the conclusion that the entire equipment is in breach. Visual inspection must lead to a technical and documentary review, not replace it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why isn't it enough to just look at the logo?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The CE marking serves as a manufacturer's declaration, but it needs to be backed by evidence. If the documentation does not identify the machine received or does not reflect its actual configuration, the symbol loses its value as an indicator of a properly executed conformity process.<\/p>


Some common warning signs are:<\/p>

  • The manufacturer indicated in the declaration does not match the one on the plate.<\/li>
  • The model, the serial number, or the year of manufacture are not identified or are different.<\/li>
  • A generic statement is used for several machines without specifying which one it covers.<\/li>
  • The cited legislation does not correspond to the team or is outdated.<\/li>
  • The harmonized standards listed do not relate to the risks of the machine.<\/li>
  • The document lacks a signature, date, or sufficient identification of the person who signed it.<\/li>
  • The manual is incomplete, it is poorly translated or does not include the necessary information in Spanish.<\/li>
  • There are no instructions on installation, adjustment, maintenance, and residual risks.<\/li>
  • The machine has been modified after its manufacture without reassessing the risks.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Documentation that must be reviewed when importing machinery from China<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Before purchasing, accepting, or putting a machine imported into service, it is advisable to verify that there is consistency between the physical equipment and all its documents. The review must be adapted to the type of machine and the applicable legislation, but it will normally include the following elements.<\/p>

    Declaration of Conformity<\/h3>

    It must clearly identify the manufacturer, the machine, the model and, where applicable, the serial number. It must also include the applicable legislation, the person authorized to sign and the other required information. A sheet titled \u201cCE Certificate<\/em>\u201dIt does not automatically replace the declaration of conformity nor credibly proves that the correct procedure has been completed.<\/p>

    Instruction manual<\/h3>

    The manual must correspond to the actual configuration of the equipment and provide the necessary information for its transport, installation, use, adjustment, maintenance and safe removal from service. For use in Spain, the information intended for the user must be provided in Spanish in the terms established by the applicable regulations.<\/p>

    Machine plaque and identification<\/h3>

    The data on the plate must match the declaration and the manual. Among other things, the manufacturer, the machine designation, the model, the serial number, the year of manufacture, and the relevant technical specifications must be reviewed.<\/p>

    Documentation and technical evidence<\/h3>

    According to the team, it may be necessary to review the risk assessment, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic systems, plans, calculations, standards used, test reports and documentation of the safety components. Part of the technical file may remain under the manufacturer's custody and not be fully handed over to the buyer, but it must exist and be available to the competent authority when appropriate.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Checklist before buying or commissioning the machine<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPerforming the checks before closing the purchase reduces the risk of receiving a machine that needs modifications, new tests, or a documentary reconstruction. The review must continue during receipt and before authorizing commissioning.\n\n