- Reaction score
- 1,693
In response to Zerax, this is my take on the 'Chinese Export' mark:
I got involved in CE marking products for Europe in the mid 80's. Back then it wasn't long before Chinese products destined for Europe began to display CE marks that appeared not backed up by proper testing and Technical Files. From the outset the CE artwork used on many of these Chinese products had the two characters spaced much too close together, and it became a popular joke that it stood for "Chinese Export" (which in many cases is just about all it meant). But the Chinese were applying it to mean European CE marking, not as a formal "made in China" symbol.
And over the years the idea that a CE mark with the letters close together actually meant "Chinese Export" gained traction as a thing.
For those interested, I offer this link:
Now Chinese industry has sorted out the CE graphic, and most (like the one in the OP's post) are the correct layout. So you can't really tell what a correctly printed CE mark actually means, unless there happens to be the details of an accredited Test Laboratory on the label as well (eg UL, TUV, BSI, Intertek etc etc). There are quite a number of accredited test houses in China, and it seems to me many products, such as for industrial use, medical devices, telecomms and IT products, do go through the correct testing, verification (and validation where necessary) processes In China.
But the retail market seems awash with 'fake' CE marks. Caveat Emptor and all that!
I got involved in CE marking products for Europe in the mid 80's. Back then it wasn't long before Chinese products destined for Europe began to display CE marks that appeared not backed up by proper testing and Technical Files. From the outset the CE artwork used on many of these Chinese products had the two characters spaced much too close together, and it became a popular joke that it stood for "Chinese Export" (which in many cases is just about all it meant). But the Chinese were applying it to mean European CE marking, not as a formal "made in China" symbol.
And over the years the idea that a CE mark with the letters close together actually meant "Chinese Export" gained traction as a thing.
For those interested, I offer this link:
Chinese Export...?
The Chinese Export marking is one of the toughest urban legends. Even members of the European Parliament believed it. Let's clarify once and for all.
cemarking.net
Now Chinese industry has sorted out the CE graphic, and most (like the one in the OP's post) are the correct layout. So you can't really tell what a correctly printed CE mark actually means, unless there happens to be the details of an accredited Test Laboratory on the label as well (eg UL, TUV, BSI, Intertek etc etc). There are quite a number of accredited test houses in China, and it seems to me many products, such as for industrial use, medical devices, telecomms and IT products, do go through the correct testing, verification (and validation where necessary) processes In China.
But the retail market seems awash with 'fake' CE marks. Caveat Emptor and all that!