The import of products from countries that are outside of the European Community has various kinds of obligations.
In addition to respect specific laws related to certain categories of products, for example: food in general, baby food, clothing, etc.. Many of the categories of products must be marked EC.
Usually we do not know that it is not the manufacturer the person who has to apply the EC mark on the products, but the importer. In fact the directives clarify clearly that only a resident of the European Community can carry out this activity. So, if the manufacturer does not have a specific person for that in the Community, it is the importer who must do the procedures for the CE marking.
A common paradox happens often at the time of control by the competent authorities: infact products with the EC mark by a Chinese producer without any relation in Europe should be allowed to trade, while others not CE marked and which should properly be marked by the importer are blocked.
The products which are entering in the European Community may be CE marked only if the producer has a seat in the Community or only by the importer. The directives are clear about that and therefore I do not understand why at the time of the checks there is such confusion.
All the products which are not related to an European referent or importer should be blocked at the entrance of the European Community, and this would solve many problems, particularly of protection of trademarks and other illegal practices that we are used to hear everyday.
To ensure security to the consumers, for the honest manufacturers and importers it would be sufficient to follow the directives on CE mark and to apply them they just have to know them because they are all very clear, and large companies that for a long time have the contacts within the European Community know it well, but not so well those who should do the checks.
We believe that the CE marking is very important for the guarantee of security and transparency, and therefore we invite all to take cognisance to do well their job, from the consumer to the importer, from the manufacturer to the person who has to do the checks.
