The Strategic Connection Between Accreditation and CE Certification
CE certification is a fundamental conformity assessment process required for products to be placed on the European Union market. However, the most critical factor ensuring that the CE marking is reliable, accepted, and sustainable is the accreditation of the organizations involved in the process.
In this article, we explain the strategic connection between accreditation and CE certification and why this relationship must be managed through a professional accreditation consultancy approach.
What CE Certification Is — and What It Is Not
CE certification:
- Is not a quality certificate.
- Demonstrates that a product complies with relevant EU legislation.
- Is under the legal responsibility of the manufacturer.
However, in many CE processes:
- Testing,
- Inspections,
- Certification activities
are carried out by third-party organizations. At this point, accreditation becomes the fundamental pillar that determines the credibility, reliability, and international acceptance of the CE system.
The Role of Accreditation in the CE Process
Accreditation is the independent verification of an organization’s:
- Technical competence,
- Impartiality,
- International recognition.
In the CE certification process, accreditation ensures:
- The acceptability of test and inspection results,
- The reliability of certification decisions,
- Defensibility during market surveillance and regulatory inspections.
The Relationship Between Notified Bodies and Accreditation
For an organization to become a Notified Body, it must demonstrate:
- Competence in the relevant conformity assessment modules,
- Technical and organizational capability,
- Impartiality and independence.
Accreditation forms the foundation of these qualifications.
Without accreditation:
- Notified Body applications are not sustainable,
- Trust cannot be established before national authorities,
- International recognition is put at risk.
All of these processes become more effective, secure, and strategically aligned with professional accreditation consultancy services.
Common Mistakes from an Accreditation Consultancy Perspective
When professional accreditation consultancy is not obtained, the following mistakes are frequently encountered:
- Selecting the wrong testing laboratory,
- Working with organizations whose accreditation scope does not align with CE legislation,
- Mismatch between the technical file and the scope of testing,
- Choosing an inappropriate conformity assessment module.
These mistakes may lead to serious compliance risks and, in some cases, the invalidation of the CE certification process.
Conclusion
The relationship between accreditation and CE certification is not a technical detail — it is a strategic necessity. The CE marking can only create real market value when supported by an accreditation-backed conformity assessment system.
Structuring this process correctly requires an expert accreditation consultancy approach.
At Sertifike, we manage accreditation consultancy processes together with our clients through a strategic, integrated, and results-oriented perspective.
