CE Mark Requirements for UK MoD Defense Equipment

With the advent of more onerous standards and greater product scrutiny, a record number of defense manufacturers are opting for early test strategies to meet their legal responsibilities (CE marking), as well as contractual requirements. And for good reason - with qualification performance now being considered earlier in the CADMID cycle, products tested in the design and prototyping stage are reaping significant benefits through reduced risk, cost savings and faster approval times, allowing earlier delivery to the MoD. 

CE Marking is required for all products made available to the EU market, including defense articles (unless there is a specific exemption in a given directive).

“Products tested in the design and prototyping stage are reaping significant benefits through reduced risk, cost savings and faster approval times, allowing earlier delivery to the MoD. ”

CE Marking Requirements for MoD Defense Equipment

Under CE Mark requirements, certified products supplied to the UK’s defense industry must come with a Declaration of Conformity, have instructions for use in a language easily understood by its users, and be free from obvious defects (and remain so during their working life). CE marking testing requirements and certification provides a uniform approach to product approvals and removes trade barriers within the EU.

MoD CE Mark Requirements for Product Safety

All products used by the MoD are required to comply with applicable CE Mark directives for safety. To avoid negligence claims and comply with current legislation, system required documents (SRDs), invitations to tender (ITT) and any contracts must contain the certifications needed for a particular product. While some of these documents are explicit about CE Mark requirements, many are left intentionally vague and are open to the manufacturers’ interpretation.

While CE Marking is a self-declaration process, the penalties for incorrect documentation can be severe. Unless defense manufacturers are 100% clear about their unique responsibilities and how to meet them, it is vital to seek expert advice to reduce ambiguity on CE marking requirements and military approvals. 

Combining deep defense industry knowledge with demonstrated testing excellence, our team of CE Mark and product qualification experts help you ensure that your defense and commercial products are fully compliant with the most up-to-date standards.