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About the ENEC and ENEC+ marks
The ENEC (European Norms Electrical Certification) mark is a European independent third-party certification that ensures electrical products comply with European safety standards. It signifies safety and compliance with relevant EN standards.
The ENEC certification follows a full ISO Type 5 certification scheme, which includes:
- Initial product testing based on European standards.
- Certification issued by renowned institutions of the European countries.
- Regular surveillance, including factory inspections and product retesting.
- Continuous compliance monitoring throughout the product’s lifetime.
The ENEC+ mark extends the ENEC certification to include performance verification for LED modules and luminaires. It assures both safety and performance of lighting products, giving confidence to manufacturers and consumers.
To obtain ENEC+ certification, a product must first have the ENEC safety mark. Performance tests are conducted in ENEC+ approved laboratories. Certified products are listed in a public database for transparency.
Obtaining and maintaining certification
How can a manufacturer obtain and maintain the ENEC Mark?
To obtain the ENEC Mark, manufacturers must:
- Undergo product type testing in an accredited ENEC laboratory.
- Ensure factory locations meet ENEC quality criteria for consistent production quality.
- Sign an agreement with the ENEC Certification Body to maintain certification and the right to use the unique ENEC mark on the product.
To maintain the mark, manufacturers must:
- Undergo regular factory inspections.
- Allow periodic testing of certified products.
- Report any product modifications to the Certification Body.
This ensures that the reliability of the product remains constant, even with design adaptations that occur during the product's life cycle.
- Obtain ENEC certification first (mandatory).
- Conduct performance testing in an ENEC-approved or manufacturer’s performance laboratory.
- Factory inspection for compliance verification.
- Certification issued by an ENEC Certification Body.
- Ongoing product surveillance ensures continuous compliance.
- Identify the relevant standard for your product using:
- CENELEC website (https://www.cencenelec.eu/) for European electrical standards.
- ENEC website for standards under the ENEC certification scheme.
- Consult experts of a Certification Body
- Search for a CB or TL on the ENEC website:
- Navigate to Our Network → Find a CB or TL for a given standard.
- Enter the standard number (e.g., "EN 60598-2-11") in the search bar.
- Select a CB or TL based on location, language, accreditation, and expertise.
- Click on the CB or TL name to access their profile and contact details.
No, ENEC+ certification is only granted to products that already have the ENEC safety mark.
- Inform ENEC certification bodies of any product modifications.
- Undergo regular factory inspections and sample testing.
- Ensure that ENEC certification remains valid by maintaining compliance.
✔️ Official ENEC or ENEC+ Certificate from an accredited Certification Body.
✔️ Authorization to display the ENEC/ENEC+ mark on certified products.
✔️ Listing in the ENEC public database for market transparency.
✔️ Access to the European market with a recognized certification.
All ENEC and ENEC+ certified products are publicly listed in the ENEC license database. (add link to database search)
No, certification applies only to the specific tested product. If a manufacturer develop new products , they must undergo the same evaluation and certification process by an ENEC Certification Body.
Appropriate processes exist for small design changes or the addition of new types to a product family.
- You must inform ENEC certification bodies of any product modifications.
- The Certification Body will evaluate whether the modification maintains the required safety levels of the product.
- This can happen based on evaluation of documents or by testing again some specific aspects (re-testing)
Certification Bodies and Testing Facilities
These organizations test, certify, and issue ENEC licenses for electrical products, ensuring compliance with European safety and performance standards.
ENEC-approved testing laboratories perform all necessary product tests using their own equipment and facilities. These labs undergo rigorous assessments to ensure compliance with ENEC requirements.
An E-CTF (European Customer’s Testing Facility) is a manufacturer-owned laboratory.
Many manufacturers have advanced testing laboratories with skilled personnel and proper equipment. The E-CTF program allows these manufacturers to conduct ENEC testing in their own facilities under strict guidelines.
Third-party certification
Certification can be categorized into:
- First-party certification: Self-declared by the manufacturer.
- Second-party certification: Assessed by an entity with a vested interest (e.g., large buyers).
- Third-party certification: Independently verified, offering the highest level of trust. The ENEC and ENEC+ marks fall under this category.
Third-party certification provides:
✔️ Independent verification of safety and performance.
✔️ Increased credibility for manufacturers in global markets.
✔️ Compliance with European regulations and industry standards.
✔️ Simplified market access across Europe with a single certification.
✔️ Consumer and business trust, ensuring quality and safety.
The ENEC Mark follows a Type 5 certification scheme under ISO/IEC 17067, which includes:
- Independent product testing.
- Regular factory inspections.
- Ongoing monitoring and retesting of certified products.
- Strict laboratory assessments and reassessment programs.
This scheme ensures that certified products continue to meet high safety and quality standards throughout their lifetime.
European Standards (EN) are developed by CEN and CENELEC to ensure product safety, reliability, and market compatibility. These standards are recognized across 34 European countries and help remove trade barriers.
For more details, visit: CEN and CENELEC
In principle, no.
Some CBs (Certification Bodies) prefer to use the term “License”, which emphasizes the aspect of the authorization to use the registered ENEC mark on the product.
Other CBs use the wording “Certificate”, highlighting the independent expert assessment that confirms that the product’s comply with the relevant requirements.
Regardless of the terminology, both License and Certificate serve the same purpose:
- They authorize the use of the ENEC mark.
- They are issued following a conformity evaluation procedure with a positive result.
The form of the ENEC licenses/certificates is not regulated, allowing for variations in design based on the traditions of different CBs. However, the minimum required contents are defined and recorded for each license/certificate in the ENEC website database.
Scheme management
The European Testing, Inspection, and Certification System (ETICS) owns and manages the ENEC and ENEC+ marks. It is a non-profit international organization overseeing various certification schemes, including ENEC, ENEC+, CCA, CIG, and HAR. The association has been established based on the Certification Scheme agreements of the member Certification Bodies going back to the 1970s.
ETICS ensures:
- Supervision of equal quality level of testing and certification for ENEC and ENEC+ products.
- Product safety, performance, and transparency in the European market.
- A network of over 100 members, including certification bodies and testing labs.
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