A German lighting importer was held up at customs for two weeks due to unverified CE certificates for a batch of LED modules, resulting in lost orders and the risk of fines amounting to tens of thousands of euros. Today, the proportion of products rejected in the EU market due to CE certification issues has risen to 15%.
In the global supply chain of LED lighting products, LED light modules, as core components, have their compliance and reliability directly determining the fate of the final product.
So, what is a CE certificate for LED modules, what does having this certificate mean for the product itself, wholesalers, and buyers, and how can you verify the authenticity of a CE certificate? This article will thoroughly address these questions.
01 Core Content of the CE Certificate for LED Modules
02 What does a CE Certificate mean?
03 Other FAQ
① Does a CE certificate have an "expiration date"?
② Is the "CE certificate" we often refer to a CoC or a DoC?
③ How to verify a CE certificate?
④ How do you get a CE certificate? What is the approximate cycle?
01 Core Content of the CE Certificate for LED Modules
A valuable "CE certificate" is essentially a complete system composed of two main parts: technical documentation (including test reports) as the basis and a declaration of conformity as the legal conclusion.
For LED modules, the test reports in the technical documentation mainly include two parts: electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety, namely EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive or Safety Directive).
Core Safety Standards:
The core safety standards in CE certification (primarily based on EN/IEC 60598-1 and EN/IEC 62031) focus on the most fundamental physical and electrical safety of the product.
It's like a "skeleton and physical examination" for the product, ensuring its structure is robust, insulation is reliable, and there are no risks of electrical leakage, overheating, fire, or mechanical hazards, thus preventing direct personal injury to users.
• IEC/EN 62031: This is a safety standard specifically for LED modules used in general lighting. It provides detailed specifications for module marking, electrical connections, protection against electric shock, and heat and fire resistance, making it the most crucial safety standard for LED modules.
• IEC/EN 61347-2-13: This standard specifically defines the special safety requirements for LED drivers (control devices). Since the driver is the "heart" of the module, its safety is paramount.
• IEC/EN 60598-1: This is a general safety standard for luminaires. Although primarily for complete luminaires, the design of the LED module, as a core component, must also consider and comply with the relevant safety clauses in this standard.
Photobiological and Electromagnetic Field Safety
Photobiological and electromagnetic field safety (primarily based on EN 62471 and EN 62493) involves a health assessment of the "light" emitted and the "fields" generated by the product.
Photobiological safety (EN 62471) focuses on evaluating whether the radiation intensity of the light (especially the blue light component) is within safe limits to prevent retinal damage to the eyes; electromagnetic field safety (EN 62493) checks whether the long-term effects of the low-frequency magnetic fields generated by the product during operation exceed safe limits for the human body (especially the head and torso), representing an extension of modern health and safety concepts.
• IEC/EN 62471: This standard assesses the photobiological safety of lighting systems (including LEDs). It categorizes the radiation hazards of light sources, such as blue light, into exempt, low, medium, and high-risk levels, ensuring that light radiation does not cause harm to the human eye and skin.
• IEC/EN 62493: This standard focuses on the assessment of human exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields generated by lighting equipment. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to high-intensity electromagnetic fields may have adverse health effects, and this standard sets limits for such exposure.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Standards
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) directives require LED modules to neither generate excessive electromagnetic interference that affects other equipment nor be susceptible to external interference, ensuring stable operation in complex electromagnetic environments.
• EN 55015: Specifies the limits for electromagnetic disturbance emissions from electrical lighting equipment, ensuring that the module does not excessively "interfere" with the power grid and other equipment during operation.
• EN 61547: Specifies the electromagnetic immunity requirements for lighting equipment, ensuring that the module maintains normal operation when subjected to external electromagnetic interference (such as electrostatic discharge and lightning surges).
• EN 61000-3-2 / -3: These two standards respectively limit the current harmonics injected into the power grid by the equipment and the resulting voltage fluctuations and flicker, which are important power quality indicators.
02 What does a CE Certificate mean?
For the product itself, a CE certificate means it has passed the official safety tests of the European Union, is safe and compliant, and can enter the European market.
For wholesalers, a CE certificate is a "risk mitigation tool" and a demonstration of responsibility.
For buyers/brand owners, a CE certificate is a core document for "risk management and brand protection."
For consumers, a CE certificate means that the LED lighting product meets the necessary safety and performance standards.
03 Other FAQ
① Does a CE certificate have an "expiration date"?
CE certification does not have a legally mandated fixed expiration date.
However, its validity terminates under three circumstances, requiring "renewal":
1.When the applicable EU standards or directives are updated;
2.When the product's design, materials, or key components are changed;
3.Due to industry practice, many buyers or platforms require the certificate to have been issued within the last 2-5 years.
② Is the "CE certificate" we often refer to a CoC or a DoC?
A CoC (Certificate of Conformity) is a technical certificate issued by a third-party testing agency, indicating that the submitted sample has passed tests according to specific standards.
A DoC (Declaration of Conformity) is a legal document signed by the manufacturer, formally committing that their product complies with all relevant EU directives and assuming full legal responsibility.
Regardless of whether other certificates exist, the manufacturer must draft and sign the DoC, which is the final legal step for affixing the CE mark to the product and entering the EU market.
The "CE certificate" we often refer to usually refers to the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by a third-party agency or the EC certificate from a notified body.
They are technical evidence proving that the product has been tested and supporting the DoC, but they do not replace the legal status of the DoC itself.
The "CE certificate" issued by a third-party agency is a technical proof; while the DoC signed by the manufacturer is a legal document. Both must be present simultaneously.
③ How to verify a CE certificate?
1. Verify the authenticity of the certificate: Check the NANDO database on the official EU website or contact the issuing body directly.
2. Verify the product scope: Ensure the certificate covers the specific product model you are purchasing.
3. Check the standard version: Confirm that the testing was conducted according to the current and valid version of the standard.
④ How do you get a CE certificate? What is the approximate cycle?
Preparation before application:
1. Product information: Application form, manufacturer and EU authorized representative (if any) information, product model, instruction manual, nameplate, etc.
2. Technical documents: Key structural diagrams, circuit diagrams, PCB layout diagrams.
3. Core component list: List of key components (such as LEDs, power supplies) and their certification information.
4. Basic test documents: Existing test reports, product technical specifications or company standards.
Application process:
1. Submit the application to the certification body and determine the plan and quotation.
2. Sign the contract and send samples.
3. The laboratory conducts tests according to relevant standards.
4. After passing the test, the institution issues a certificate or report; if not passed, rectification and retesting are required.
5. The manufacturer signs the "Declaration of Conformity" based on the qualified test report and affixes the CE mark to the product.
The application cycle varies greatly depending on the complexity of the product: ordinary LED modules take about 2-4 weeks. Smart products with wireless functions require 4-8 weeks or longer due to the addition of RED and cyber security testing.
In short, in the international trade of LED components for street lights, the CE certificate is a crucial document that connects "legality, safety, trust, and responsibility." Everyone in the supply chain relies on it to define their role and protect their interests.
If you would like to learn more about the EU regulations regarding the CE marking, you could visit the official website of the European Union.
We Sunshineopto are a manufacturer and distributor with 15 years of experience in the LED industry and possess the relevant CE certifications.
If you would like professional service and a reasonable quotation, please contact us as soon as possible!