Ms Sarah Neary:

There are two processes to CE marking. One is through a harmonised standard, which is mandatory. Between 400 and 500 standards are published and referred to in the OJ. If someone's product falls within those standards, it must be CE marked from 1 July of this year.

There are derogations from CE marking in certain circumstances. One of the reasons for the CPR was to reduce the burden on small and medium enterprises, SMEs. That part of the CPR has not been elaborated on as of yet by the Commission but the intention is that there will be simplified rules for SMEs.