Benefits of design in establishing a brand
Benefits of design in establishing a brand
Good design can help you develop a great brand with a strong corporate identity
Good design plays a major role in building a great brand. It is important to understand how the two can benefit your business.
Advantages of designing a brand
Branding offers a number of key benefits:
- A competitive advantage - eg it can help you compete for audience attention, employee talent, resources and funding.
- A stable asset - when aligned with your business strategy, it can outlast products, technologies, market changes. Consider, for example, the 'Coca Cola' brand that's been around for more than a century.
- Financial value - although intangible, branding can create a lot of value for your business. For example, by building awareness for your business and helping you attract customers, suppliers, etc.
While branding is a strategic activity, there is usually a vital creative component too. Think about - for example - the Nike 'swoosh', which is a simple, yet effective, logo that conveys energy and movement, and is appropriate to a company that makes performance sportswear.
Types of design used in building a brand
Many design disciplines are used in developing a successful brand, including:
- graphic design - to create a visual image for your business
- website design - to help you market and sell your products online
- retail design - to build the look and feel of the environment where you sell your products
- office design - to create a space that expresses your brand and shows what your business stands for
Find 8 design tips for creating a successful brand.
Building a corporate identity
Your corporate identity is made up of the visible elements of your business, including:
- logo
- business and brand names
- any specific colours you use in your logo, branding, premises, etc
- letterhead
- advertising
- packaging
- website
- retail environment or office
Read more about branding for your business.
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Choosing a logo and brand name
How to choose a brand name, select a logo for your business, and create a corporate identity to convey your brand
Your logo and brand name are part of your corporate identity, which includes the visual elements people associate with your business, such as your letterhead, business cards, packaging and advertising.
Brand vs. logo
A common belief is that a brand is simply a logo. The logo is just one part of a brand - although it's often the element that's most widely seen and remembered.
A whole range of other design elements can convey a brand and help make it successful. For example:
- colour
- shape
- name
- touch/materials
- sound
- illustration
- typography
- environment
A logo should embody the key ingredients of the brand in a distinctive, recognisable way. For more information, see key elements of a successful brand strategy and branding for your business.
Creating a logo can help your business by:
- enhancing the experience you deliver
- improving the feeling of brand spirit across the business
- representing a reassurance
- acting as a guarantee of quality
How to create a logo
To create a logo, you will probably need to commission a graphic designer who is used to creating visual languages that communicate values as well as information.
A graphic designer will make sure that the logo:
- is designed so that it can be printed or reproduced according to the media you use
- conveys the right message about the business
- fits with your business image and branding
Find out how to choose and work with a designer.
Importance of brand name
Your brand name is important in setting the tone and personality of your brand and should reflect your overall brand strategy.
A brand name may be:
- descriptive - the name states what the brand is or what the product or service does
- evocative - it suggests associations to the brand without describing the offer precisely
- abstract - it makes no reference to the nature of the business
Choosing the right brand name can be difficult. It's important to check that names aren't already in use and protected by trade mark law. Find out how to search for trade marks and read top tips on selecting a strong trade mark.
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Choosing the right brand strategy
How to develop a brand strategy, and use design to create strong brands for your business
Your brand strategy defines what your business stands for. It captures the promise you make to your customers and the image that your business conveys.
Businesses often rely on the creative elements to express their brand, for example:
- their logo
- colour scheme
- tagline
- website
- sales literature
It's important to remember that your brand exists in every day-to-day interaction you have with your customers as well. This could be your:
- messaging on your websites or advertisement campaigns
- recruitment drives
- customer interactions
Your brand strategy should consider both the fixed creative elements and the less prominent, day-to-day dealings with your market. It should be an integral part of your overall design strategy for business.
Strategy for creating a new brand
When developing a new brand, you can build your strategy around:
- emotional benefits - focus on the features and benefits of your product or service that will appeal to your customers or meet their needs
- brand personality - describe the essence of your business then convey these traits in everything that you do or create
- positioning statements and brand story - choose colours, fonts and other visual elements that match your brand personality and help you convey the story
Small businesses will often need to start developing their brand from scratch, including choosing a logo and brand name.
Strategies for existing brands
If you have an existing brand, make sure that you keep your communications fresh. Review regularly if your brand is working for your and - if not - decide if you want to:
- overhaul your brand
- reinvigorate it occasionally
- create additional endorsed brands
- develop sub brands and use brand stretching
For more information, see branding: the basics.
Using designers to help with this process every few years should be an ongoing investment rather than a costly extra.
Rebranding strategy
Rebranding might be an option if your customer base is declining, the market has changed substantially or you have no point of difference from your competitors. It can be a good idea to hire a designer to help you rebrand. Find out how to choose and work with a designer.
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Ensuring brand consistency
Why consistency matters in brand design, and how to make sure that your brand is consistent across your business
Consistency is an important part of branding and brand management. It reinforces your business identity, drives positive sentiment and builds consumer trust.
This doesn't mean that all of your communications have to look the same, but you should strive for visual cohesion. As a minimum, make sure that you follow set standards, such as your colour palette, visual style, font and size and spacing of your logo.
It is important to consider how you can apply your brand consistently across all the different media that you use, from online and print, to billboards and packaging.
Brand guidelines
After working through a branding project, your designer should give you brand guidelines to ensure consistency. These will tell you how to apply the different design elements in different situations, contexts and scales.
For example, the brand guidelines can specify:
- typography - the layout and style of lettering, including typefaces and fonts
- graphics - images, design, etc
- colours
- materials
- templates
Brand guidelines may also include specific areas such as cultural or behavioural directions for staff training.
Managing your brand
You can use brand guidelines to manage the brand after the designer's work on the project is completed. This will help you to ensure you maintain brand consistency and - most importantly - your original big idea.
Consistency can help your business move into a new market sector without changing its core brand identity. For example, application of the Tesco brand, such as ease of access and low price, has allowed the business to move into new market sectors including financial services and mobile phones.
Find out more about key elements of a successful brand strategy and branding for your business .
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Build your brand online
The importance of online branding to your business, and how a web design agency can benefit your business
Websites are increasingly important for many businesses to reach new customers and keep existing ones, so it's important to have a brand that works online.
Online branding strategies
Larger companies will have specific brand guidelines that their web designers will need to incorporate, which will dictate style, colours and fonts, position of the logo, etc.
Small businesses will often need to start developing their brand from scratch, including designing a logo. A web designer can often help you with this - see how to choose and work with a designer.
A web designer or a web design agency can help you:
- do your customer research
- plan the scope of your website
- design a website suited to your customers - see user-centred design for website
- move your brand onto the web, keeping its values and identity preserved
- create content to attract and engage visitors and convey your brand
Online branding techniques
The web is an excellent platform to build your brand, so it's important not to ignore branding when working on your website. The elements you will have to pay particular attention to are:
- Colour - stick to your brand colour palette, but perhaps use different shades for different elements (eg background colours, headings and links).
- Character and tone of voice - think how the content and images used on your site match your brand personality. Does your brand promise reliability? Does it stand for adventure? Is it trust-worthy? Make sure that your content and web visuals support your brand promise and position in the market.
- Consistency - you should keep colours, visuals and typography consistent throughout so that your website can project a uniform image. See ensuring brand consistency.
- Positioning of the logo and navigation - follow accepted norms, ie a logo in the upper left area of the page, linking to the site's homepage. Navigational elements will generally sit horizontally on top or vertically aligned to the left.
See more on best practice in web design.
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8 design tips for creating a successful brand
Follow eight simple tips to utilise design in building your brand and develop a consistent and memorable brand identity for your business
Creating a brand is a difficult task. Here are eight design tips which you can follow to help you create a successful and memorable brand.
1. Keep it simple - building a brand doesn't have to be complicated. It can start with a clean, simple typeface that's followed consistently through all corporate materials. Be thorough and careful when choosing the right brand strategy.
2. Make your offering distinctive - this could be as simple as your choice of colour in design or packaging - one which no other competitors are using. A distinctive offering creates a strong impression in consumers' minds.
3. Be consistent - every aspect of your brand should make customers feel the same way about you. Read more about ensuring brand consistency
4. Listen to and understand your customers - your brand is no good to you if it isn't delivering what customers want. Learn more about your brand and your customers. User-centred design techniques can help you create a successful brand by engaging directly with consumers in the early stages of the design process and involving them throughout. For more information, see user-centred design.
5. Communicate your brand - make sure every advertisement, brochure and letter helps reinforce the same message. If you have a logo, use it whenever possible.
6. Manage your brand - continually look for opportunities to make improvements. Read more about how to manage your brand.
7. Involve your employees - make sure they understand the brand and believe in it. Find out more in your brand and your staff.
8. Create an aspirational brand - pay attention to customers' needs, but control what you want your brand to mean to them, creating something customers can aspire to. For example, visible aspects of mobile phones are typically designed to project a lifestyle image.
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Different types of intellectual property
In this guide:
Different types of intellectual property
Understand what intellectual property is, the different types that exist, and how to use IP to protect your ideas, products and business
Intellectual property (IP) exists in many forms. From the name of your business to an innovative new process or product, IP can help you stand out from your competitors, enhance your market value and turn ideas into profit-making assets.
Examples of intellectual property
Your business may already have a range of IP. IP can be any of the following:
- brands and logos
- product names
- inventions and products
- original software
- designs
- shape and appearance of a product
- music
- books
- poems
- paintings
- photography
- other kinds of creative work
IP can be very valuable and should be protected. The type of IP protection you can get depends on what you have created.
Types of intellectual property rights
There are four main types of IP rights:
- patents
- trade marks
- copyright
- designs
It is important to understand exactly how these different types of IP rights can apply to your business. Browse our detailed guides on patents, trade marks, copyright and design to find out more about each.
Find out what IP you own
If you own a business, you likely own some type of IP. You can carry out an intellectual property audit to determine what IP assets you have and their value to your business.
To get a better understanding of IP and how to manage it, you can also use the Intellectual Property Office's IP for Business toolkit. It offers:
- IP Equip tool - covering four main types of IP rights
- IP Health Check tool - offering a confidential report tailored to your business
- B2B toolkit - an IP checklist for businesses wishing to collaborate with others
- IP for investment tool - for IP-rich businesses that are seeking equity finance to grow
You can also watch the IPO's video below to gain a greater understanding of IP basics.
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Advantages of protecting intellectual property
There are many benefits to protecting intellectual property assets of your business - find out why you should take steps to secure your IP rights
Intellectual property (IP) rights protect genuine business assets that can be vital to your products or services, or the success and profitability of your business.
There are many advantages to securing your intellectual property rights.
Enhance the market value of your business
IP can generate income for your business through licensing, sale or commercialisation of protected products or services. This can, in turn, improve your market share or raise your profits. In case of sale, merger or acquisition, having registered and protected IP assets can raise the value of your business.
Turn ideas into profit-making assets
Ideas on their own have little value. However, IP can help you to turn ideas into commercially successful products and services. Licensing your patents or copyright, for example, can lead to a steady stream of royalties and additional income that can boost your business' bottom line.
Market your business' products and services
IP is essential in creating an image for your business. Think trade marks, logos or the design of your products. IP can help you differentiate your products and services in the market and promote them to your customers.
Access or raise finance for your business
You can monetise your IP assets through sale, licensing or using them as collateral for debt financing. As well as this, you can use your IP as an advantage when applying for public or government funding, eg grants, subsidies or loans.
Enhance export opportunities for your business
IP can increase your competitiveness in export markets. You can use brands and designs to market goods and services abroad, seek franchising agreements with overseas companies, or export your patented products.
While some IP rights are automatic, others will need formal application and registration before you can claim them. Read more about the different types of intellectual property and the importance of protecting them.
You can also watch the Intellectual Property Office's video below that explains why IP is important to your business.
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How to protect intellectual property
Advice to help you protect your intellectual property and plan your business’ IP strategy
Most businesses create and own some type of intellectual property (IP). Depending on what you create, you can use patents, trade marks, design right and registration, or copyright to protect your intellectual property assets.
Different rules apply to different types of intellectual property.
Protection through patents
Patents protect inventions, including the features and processes that make things work. You have to apply for and register a patent to secure protection. See more on IP rights: patents.
Protection through copyright
Copyright protects published artistic work, including writing, film, music and computer software. Unlike most other forms of IP, copyright applies automatically when the work is first published. Read more about IP rights: copyright.
Protection through trade marks
Trade marks are signs that distinguish between goods and services (eg words, logos, brand names, pictures, shapes, sound etc). You don't have to register a trade mark to use it, but registration grants you exclusive rights for its use. Read more about IP rights: trade marks.
Protection through designs
A design refers to the features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation that give a product its unique appearance. You can protect designs through automatic unregistered design rights or design registration. Find out more about IP rights: designs.
Other types of IP protection
Depending on the IP assets that you wish to protect, you may also want to look at:
Find more tips and advice on protecting intellectual property.
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IP rights: patents
What is a patent, how to apply for one, and how to use and enforce it to protect your business' intellectual property
Patents are one of the four basic intellectual property (IP) rights. Patents protect the methods and processes that make things work. There are strict rules that determine what you can and can't patent.
Can you patent an idea in the UK?
You cannot patent an abstract idea. You must be able to put the idea into practice, eg turn it into an invention, in order for it to be patentable.
You can only patent an invention if it is:
- new - not already known to the public before the date a patent is applied for
- inventive - not an obvious modification of what is already known
- capable of industrial application - ie can be made or used in any kind of industry
For examples of what you can and can't patent, see can I patent my idea or invention.
How do you get a patent?
To protect your right to exclusive use of your invention, you must apply for a patent. Patent application procedures can be complicated and take significant time. Some inventions may need more than one patent to secure full protection. You may also need to seek patent protection in more than one territory.
Find out how to apply for a patent.
Patent attorneys can help you search for existing patents, prepare patent applications and make sure that you are not infringing anyone else's intellectual property rights.
Patents are a valuable form of intellectual property, and like all property, you should protect them. If you have a patent and someone uses it without permission, you have the right to claim for compensation. Read more about patent protection and enforcement.
For a quick introduction to patents, watch the Intellectual Property Office video below.
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IP rights: copyright
What is copyright, when does it apply, and how you can use it to protect your intellectual property
Copyright is an automatic intellectual property (IP) right that you get when you create an original piece of written or recorded literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work.
Copyright applies to any medium and can cover many types of work. If you create a lot of original work, copyright can generate important income for your business.
Find out more about copyright for your business and read about your economic rights from owning copyright.
How to use copyright?
If you own a copyright, you can decide whether to:
- allow other businesses or people to use the copyrighted work
- allow work to be copied, adapted, published, performed or broadcast
- allow other businesses to use work for a royalty or licence fee
- sell the copyright
If someone you employ creates copyrighted work for you during their normal course of employment, you will own the copyright unless you agree otherwise. It is possible for two or more people to be joint creators and/or joint owners of the copyright.
See more on contractors and copyright.
How can you copyright your work?
Unlike most other IP rights, you don't have to apply for copyright. There is also no official register of copyright holders in the UK. To help protect your work and identify yourself as the owner of the copyright, you should mark it with:
- the © symbol
- the name of the copyright owner
- the year in which the work was created
Find out more about managing your copyright.
For a quick introduction to copyright, watch the Intellectual Property Office video below.
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IP rights: trade marks
What are trade marks, and how to register trade marks to protect your brand, products or business
Trade marks are common intellectual property (IP) assets. They are signs used in trade to identify products and services in the market, or the business that supplies them.
What can be trademarked?
Trade marks can take many forms. They can be:
- symbols
- logos
- words
- names
- colours
- gestures
- a combination of these elements
You may not be able to register all your identifying marks as trade marks. There are rules on what makes acceptable marks - see what is a trade mark.
What does having a trade mark mean?
For nearly all businesses, trade marks are highly valuable. They can protect your brand, prevent counterfeiting and fraud, and increase your recognition in the market place.
You can register your trade mark to get exclusive rights to use, licence, franchise or sell it. Trade marks are territorial rights, so bear in mind you may need to protect your mark in multiple markets if you trade overseas. See how to register a trade mark.
How to protect your trade marks
Whilst you don't have to register your trade mark to use it, registration will give you the strongest protection. If someone is using your registered trade mark without authorisation on competing or related goods or services, this may constitute trade mark infringement.
Read more about protecting registered trade marks.
Even without registering your trade mark, you may still be able to take action against someone who uses your mark on their goods or services without your permission. This is known as 'passing off'.
For a quick introduction to trade marks, watch the Intellectual Property Office video below.
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IP rights: designs
An overview of design as an intellectual property asset and advice on how to use unregistered and registered designs to secure your IP
Designs protect the visual appearance of a product or a part of a product. This appearance can be affected by shape, contour, arrangement, textures, materials and colours.
There are two ways of protecting designs in the UK: unregistered designs and registered designs.
Unregistered designs
Unregistered designs protect:
- the shape and configuration of a 3-dimensional object (this is known as 'design right')
- the appearance of a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional product (this is known as 'supplementary unregistered design right' or 'continuing unregistered community design' if you made your design public in the UK or the EU before 1 January 2021 )
Registered designs
Registered designs protect any aspect of your design, for example the product's appearance, shape, configuration and decoration.
There are important differences between unregistered and registered designs:
- registration gives you the right to prevent others from using your design for up to 25 years, provided you renew your registered design every five years
- design rights are automatically protected in the UK for whichever ends first – either 10 years after the design was first sold or 15 years after it was created
- supplementary unregistered design right is protected in the UK for 3 years from the date you make your design public
Registration also makes taking legal action against infringement and copying more straightforward. See how to register a design.
Your design can be an important business asset and - since you can sell or license it - an additional source of revenue. See more about the advantages of protecting your design.
For a quick introduction to registered designs, watch the Intellectual Property Office video below.
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Intellectual property checklist for start-ups
Step-by-step checklist of things you should consider when protecting the intellectual property of your new business
Even the smallest of start-ups may have intellectual property (IP) worth protecting. From your business name to the innovative design of your product, you will have assets that set you apart from other businesses in the market. The importance of these IP assets will only grow as your business matures, so it is important to get things right from the start.
This checklist provides an overview of some of the key IP considerations for start-up businesses and the steps you should follow when setting out.
1. Carry out clearance searches
Before you invest time and money in building up your business under a particular name, check that this name isn't already in use. Search for trade marks that are in use, both registered and unregistered, and remember to check names as well as logos. This will help avoid unnecessary conflict with any pre-existing rights. Find out how to search for trade marks.
2. Check if a domain name is available
Before you decide on your trade mark, you may want to check if a suitable domain name is available. You will want one that relates to your chosen trade mark and hasn't already been taken up. You may want to check for and register variants of your chosen domain name. This may help you avoid some common domain name and trade mark conflicts.
3. Register your trade name, brand and logo
Registration will help you to secure your rights and protect your assets from misuse. Trade marks are territorial, so you will need to register them in territories that are relevant to your business. Find detailed guidance on trade marks.
4. Identify other types of IP assets you may have
As well as trade marks, you may have other types of intellectual property worth protecting. For example, design assets that you can register or innovative processes and equipment which you can patent. Carry out an intellectual property audit to help you identify the IP that you have and its value to your business.
5. Keep information confidential
Take care not to disclose information about any new ideas or inventions before you've applied for protection. This is especially important when it comes to patents, as disclosure can make your application invalid. Consider different ways of securing confidential information - for example, through non-disclosure agreements.
6. Protect your unregistered IP
Certain rights arise automatically - ie you don't need to apply for protection. For example, copyright and unregistered design rights. Since there is no registration with these rights, it may be difficult to prove ownership or argue infringement if someone is misusing your rights. It's good practice to keep documented evidence about the creation of your work to prevent possible conflict in the future.
7. Avoid infringing other people's rights
If you wish to use IP rights that you don't own, make sure that you seek necessary permissions in advance. You can license the rights or buy them outright. Take great care not to infringe other people's rights, since this can lead to reputational damage, legal action as well as potential fines and penalties.
See more on protecting intellectual property.
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Ways to improve your business efficiency
In this guide:
- Increase efficiency to maximise your profit
- Ways to improve your business efficiency
- Using technology to improve efficiency
- Increase efficiency through innovation
- Improving working practices to boost efficiency
- Saving money through energy and resource efficiency
- Improving efficiency through lean thinking and Six Sigma
- Drive business growth through efficiency
Ways to improve your business efficiency
How do you improve efficiency in business to reduce costs and make the best possible use of your resources
To run a successful business, you need to be efficient and well organised. Inefficient operations can quickly affect your bottom-line.
How can a company improve efficiency?
There are simple ways of improving efficiency in a number of business areas, including:
- customer service
- distribution and delivery
- wastage costs
Your customers are the most important resource in your business. By listening to what people say about your company and products you can greatly improve the service you provide.
Increase customer awareness
Customer awareness of your business is vital in generating interest in your products. You can increase customer awareness through:
- marketing, including through social media - see more on social media for business
- making the most of your website - read about best practice in web design
- encouraging word of mouth from your loyal customers
Improve customer experience
The experience that customers have when they buy your products or interact with your staff will determine whether they return to buy more goods from you. You should:
- make sure their experience is easy and enjoyable
- ensure you have an efficient workflow so that waiting times are kept to a minimum
- communicate well with customers so that they are not put off coming back to you
- make it easy for customers to give feedback, either directly to you or through surveys, online forums, etc
Audit your processes
Map out a workflow to describe processes your employees should follow when selling your products. By looking at all the tasks they need to carry out, you can often spot opportunities to save time and avoid duplication of work. This may include redesigning the way your staff work with digital and physical content to ensure they use their time efficiently.
Build relationships with your suppliers
Talking to your suppliers can often provide valuable insight. Suppliers are working with the same products as you, and speak to your competitors as well. Learn how to negotiate - small extras can add up and often negotiating will result in better relationships in the long run. See how to manage your suppliers.
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Using technology to improve efficiency
How to use technology to improve your business processes and increase efficiency
Technology can help you improve the way your staff carry out tasks. It can either speed up existing processes or allow new, more flexible ways of carrying out the job.
Assess your use of technology
In order to work out the best technology for your needs, you should assess your current systems against your requirements. Think about what inefficiencies may exist in your operations and how you can:
- capture relevant information, such as customer details, in the most simple, time-efficient way
- manage your documents to ensure that information is dealt with in a logical workflow
- avoid duplication - eg using handwritten timesheets that then need to be manually inputted onto a PC
- address technological obstacles - eg simplifying a complex helpdesk process to make it easier to resolve IT problems
There are nine fundamental technologies that drive the digital transformation of modern-day businesses. These are known under the umbrella of Industry 4.0.
Find out about Industry 4.0: What it means for your business and discover what different Industry 4.0 technologies can do for your business.
Find the best technology solution
The best solution for your business will depend greatly on your industry. Research what your competitors or other companies in your industry are using and consider consumer technologies that are widely available as these may be cheaper if you only have a small number of staff.
For example, you could consider:
- outsourcing IT systems or using off-the-shelf packages instead of customised business versions
- using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or internet calls to replace mobile calls - see advantages and disadvantages of VoIP
- creating a frequently asked questions (FAQs) section on your website to reduce unnecessary customer enquiries
- automating processes to save your staff time, including utilising computer telephony integration
- introducing cloud computing, mobile technology and computer networking to improve IT efficiency
When you find the right technology solution for your business, it is important to consider its security and take steps to manage cyber security risks.
How can technology improve productivity?
Different technological solutions can significantly boost the productivity of your workforce. They can:
- improve communication across the business
- increase connectivity of staff, including those working remotely
- enable collaboration between different teams or parts of the business
- enhance employee engagement and motivate staff
- help you track and analyse performance and progress towards goal completion
New and emerging technologies have a huge potential to transform your business.
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Increase efficiency through innovation
What is efficiency innovation, and how innovation can impact your business performance, profitability and competitiveness
Innovation doesn't always involve developing new products or services. It often focuses on improving what already exists, for example your business' workflow, production or sales process. Such innovation can lead to great improvements in business performance and efficiency.
What is efficiency innovation?
Efficiency innovation often assumes the form of a process improvement or a more efficient business model. It enables businesses to:
- simplify and streamline their existing processes
- produce their existing products at a lower cost
- sell their products or services to their existing customers at lower prices
This type of innovation can have a major impact on a business. It can raise its productivity and competitiveness, optimise its resource allocation and increase bottom-line savings and profits.
Efficiency innovation examples
Many innovative solutions could help you increase efficiency in your business. For example:
- waste minimisation technologies and processes could help reduce costs
- business process improvements could help increase productivity
- standardisation in supply chain (eg through lean processes) could increase your competitiveness or add value to existing products or services
- finding cheaper materials to make existing products could boost your savings
Technology can play a key role in improving efficiency through innovation. See examples of digital innovation in business.
Improve efficiency through innovation
The inspiration for innovative ideas can come from both within your business and externally - from customers, suppliers, technological advances, etc. The key is to filter the ideas, so that you end up investing in those ideas which are most likely to deliver the best returns.
The following are some suggestions to help encourage an innovative atmosphere within your business:
- Share knowledge - Businesses are more innovative when staff know and understand what's happening in other areas. Someone may have an idea that could also benefit another department.
- Encourage ideas - Make sure people feel able to share their ideas without risk of them being criticised or ridiculed. You could also capture ideas using brainstorms, workshops and/or suggestion boxes.
- Involve everyone - Recognise that the winning idea could come from anywhere or anyone within your business. Encourage everyone to contribute their suggestions.
- Reward success - Offer incentives to staff for coming up with ideas that increase your bottom line.
- Accept risks - It's impossible to innovate without taking risks. If an idea fails, don't blame the person who made the original suggestion or this may discourage staff from contributing ideas in the future.
See also seven more ways to encourage innovation in your business.
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Improving working practices to boost efficiency
Look at your current working practices, such as staff training and flexible working, to increase efficiency in your business
You can greatly improve your business efficiency by looking at current working practices, and making improvements where possible.
How to assess your working practices
Look at your staff and try to get an understanding of the tools they use for their tasks and how they approach them. It may also be worth thinking about:
- staff morale - make sure you address any concerns they have, as a workforce will only be effective if they are motivated
- training - staff should be aware of the tools available to them through training
- flexible time management - you should explore working arrangements that suit individuals
For example, you can consider offering:
- home working - removing the need to commute may increase staff time spent on the job
- flexible working - this can lead to greater staff satisfaction and increased performance levels
- sabbaticals - an unpaid break can be a good option if you wish to reduce staff but retain skills for periods of growth
- flexible contracts - working from different locations or different hours
See flexible working - the law and best practice.
The assessment of your working practices can give you a framework for improving them and embedding new, more efficient ways of working.
How can you improve employee efficiency?
Your management practices can greatly influence the efficiency and the productivity of your employees. Make sure that you:
- communicate well with staff
- delegate responsibilities to the most qualified employees
- manage performance through effective appraisal systems
- give regular feedback to staff
- offer training, development and mentoring opportunities to staff
- consider offering incentives and perks to motivate staff
See more on staff motivation.
Finally, you should explore new technological solutions that could help your staff work in different ways, eg through remote working or virtual collaboration. You could also outsource certain IT tasks or automate processes to save staff time. Find out how to use technology to improve efficiency.
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Saving money through energy and resource efficiency
Understand how energy and resource efficiency and good waste management practices can help you achieve cost savings and make your business more efficient
Energy and resources effect all businesses and can have a major impact on operations in terms of cost and productivity. Increasing efficiency in these areas not only brings increased competitiveness, but also significant environmental benefits.
There are two main approaches to developing your resource efficiency strategy:
- consume less - cut down on what you use, such as paper and ink
- manage your waste - make the most of the waste you generate, eg sell it on or recycle
Resource efficiency in the workplace
Energy efficiency and green operational practice are now widely accepted in the workplace. There is a wide variety of resources online to help you save on energy consumption and minimise your waste.
A few starter tips on workplace efficiency include:
- using office supplies more efficiently - eg don't print out every email
- being innovative with your product design - using less packaging/printing
- turning off lighting or heating when not in use
For more advice on increasing workplace efficiency, see how to reduce your business waste to save money and read about managing your energy use.
Waste management and efficiency
While you will make significant savings by becoming more resource efficient, you will not be able to remove all waste. Managing the waste that you do produce can be just as important. Make sure you can manage your waste by:
- having a waste management plan
- recycling where possible - plastics, paper, metal
- investigating methods of disposal - some waste may even have a resale value
See more on reducing business waste in our efficiency guides: introduction to waste management, waste reviews, policies and action plans and office resource efficiency.
Help with energy and resource efficiency
Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) can offer support to Northern Ireland businesses interested in reducing their energy, waste and resource costs.
Invest NI's Energy and Resource Efficiency team can provide:
- technical consultancy - to help identify areas for increased efficiency and cost savings
- resource matching service - to find opportunities to turn your waste into another business' resource
- resource efficiency capital grant - to provide investment support for projects that aim to reduce the consumption of water, raw materials or waste production
For more information, read about Invest NI energy and waste management support.
Alternatively, you can contact Invest NI's Energy and Resource Efficiency team by email ere@investni.com or Tel 0800 181 4422.
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Improving efficiency through lean thinking and Six Sigma
How to use lean thinking and Six Stigma to streamline your operations management and improve your business efficiency
Operations management is a way of organising your business in order to improve efficiency. It provides a framework which can help you with planning, forecasting, or marketing your products or services. The two most common approaches to streamlining operations management are:
- lean methodology
- Six Sigma
Lean and Six Sigma management systems can help you reduce inefficiencies and waste across your business, and increase both the quality of your products as well as your business' profitability.
What is lean methodology?
Lean thinking method focuses on only spending money on resources that create value for your customers. Anything which does not ultimately increase value for your customers is considered wasteful and a target for savings.
Lean is concerned with optimising the flow of work, so it can apply in almost any business or process. You should view lean thinking as a way of thinking and a way of changing the culture of your business for the better. See what are lean methods.
Invest Northern Ireland has created a series of video tutorials on lean thinking to help businesses understand the methodologies involved. Watch Invest NI's tutorials on lean thinking.
What is the concept of Six Sigma?
Six Sigma is a methodology similar to lean that started out as a set of practices designed to eliminate defects in manufacturing. It has now extended to other types of business processes and defines a defect as any output that does not meet customer requirements.
Six Sigma methods are data-driven and this data can be used as a management technique across all businesses in order to improve operations. See what is Six Sigma.
You may also be able to use lean methods and Six Sigma together.
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Drive business growth through efficiency
Video tutorial on growing your business through increased efficiency
If you want to grow your business, you must focus on a few core efficiency considerations, such as increasing:
- the number of customers
- the number of sales, including from returning customers
- the average value of each sale
However, focusing solely on your customers or sales will not necessarily enable you to grow your business profitably.
Improving business processes
To make the most of growth opportunities, you must also look at the effectiveness and efficiency of all your business processes, including production, marketing, selling, customer service, finance management, workforce performance and other operational processes.
This short video will help you consider if you are getting the most out of your business and give you tips and strategies for growing profitably.
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User-centred web design
Advantages of user-centred design
What are the benefits of applying user-centred design in the development of a product, a service or a website
User-centred design improves the customer experience associated with a website, a product or a service.
Benefits of user-centred design
User-centred design could bring many advantages to your business. For example, it could:
- increase your sales - customers are more likely to buy a product or service that meets their needs
- boost competitiveness - customers are less likely to choose other business' products if your product meets their needs more effectively
- build positive user experiences - increase loyalty and a good reputation for your business or brand
- help you gain insight - this, in turn, could lead to innovative new products or services
- save your business time and money - by testing things with end-users when it is still cost effective to make changes
By involving the customers in the design process, user-centred design could also:
- help you design more effective and safer products
- give your customers a sense of ownership in your product or service
- remove the need to change the design late in the process, avoiding high costs and time delays
It's important to adopt a user-centred approach at the earliest opportunity. This gives everyone who needs to be involved - such as research, engineering or marketing teams - a clear picture of how you will call on their expertise to benefit the project. A good strategy will reduce the risk of conflicting initiatives, wasting your business' time and money.
Undertake any design project with a clear picture of your new product or service's end-user in mind. Often, you will have a much better chance of business success if you actively involve your end-users in the design process. Find out more about the user-centred design process.
See also how to research and develop ideas, new products and services.
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User-centred design process
How to engage with end-users as part of the design process, and how to use the insights you learn from this process
User-centred design is based on the concept that the best-designed products or services come from understanding the needs of the people who will use them. Most products or services undergo market testing and user research, but this often comes too late in the new product development process when significant changes might not be possible.
Ideally, you should actively engage with potential end-users in the early stages of developing a product or service. This could help guide your product and service development.
Step 1: Identify your users
First, you need to identify who you mean by 'user'. Are they members of the public who might find your product on a supermarket shelf and use it in their home? Or are they trade customers who you want to establish a service contract with?
Each user will have different perspectives and needs. You may find that one or more types of customers are relevant users of your product or service, and the challenge there is to manage a design project that understands them all.
Step 2: Engage with consumers
You should engage with your potential users directly, rather than through findings from market research or from your own experiences. For example, you could ask them to:
- keep video diaries while they use your product or service
- take part in workshops where they analyse their experience of your business and your products
User-centred design should be separate from market research. Market research focuses mainly on understanding the market in general terms, for example, by:
- identifying triggers to buy or use a product or service
- finding acceptable price points
Find out more about market research and market reports.
Step 3: Observe and analyse users
It's important to immerse yourself in your users' context - the circumstances and ways people are likely to use your product. This immersion exposes unexpressed needs that might be missed without the full context. For example, spend time with users as they perform relevant tasks at home or work. While they try out your product, you should observe and note where they use things easily and where they have trouble. Take note of what they say - but keep in mind that it is often the things they don't say which can give the greatest insights.
Analysing this type of observational research will help you to identify any important themes and take them forward. You may want to capture your findings visually with a camera or video recorder, so that you can share with the design team.
Step 4: Evaluate prototypes
As your design ideas and concepts develop, you should continue to gather input from end-users. Where possible, show them models of potential solutions that you have created based on their ideas and seek feedback.
Most products and services have different types of users, so try to gather input from the widest range of potential customers possible. This will allow you to get the most out of your user research. Carrying out repeat observations or evaluations with the same type of user will limit any findings.
Find more top tips for user-centred design.
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Advantages of inclusive design
The business benefits of inclusive design and ensuring that your product, service or business are accessible
Inclusive design involves developing products, services or environments so as many people as possible can access and use them.
User-centred design techniques are an essential part of inclusive design. They make it possible to:
- understand the reality of people's lives
- evaluate products and services as you develop them
- ensure products or services are genuinely inclusive
The importance of inclusive design
Inclusive design is important for social equality reasons, but it also makes good business sense. For example, by the year 2020 approximately half the adults in the UK will be aged 50 or over.
With increasing age, most people experience multiple minor impairments in:
- eyesight
- hearing
- dexterity
- mobility
- memory
An inclusive approach to design can help you seize important opportunities for business growth through new products and services that are accessible to all segments of the market.
Design against exclusion
An important consideration in inclusive design is to understand and quantify how your design choices may deter or eliminate potential users.
This design exclusion can take several forms. For example, your choice of design could be unintentionally excluding:
- less mobile or dextrous users - for example, the elderly and disabled
- less affluent users
- users with less technological know-how
- users from different cultures
The techniques of inclusive design and user-centred design are very similar. But instead of talking and researching with typical product or service users, inclusive design seeks out extreme users - the sorts of people who will demand the most from a product or service. For example, a bathroom fittings manufacturer sought out ballet dancers who needed precise bathroom lighting for performance hair and makeup. They chose to do this because these people represented an untapped market and would show that if they could easily use a range of products, then people with less specialised requirements could too.
Ergonomics is the science of designing spaces or equipment to fit the person using them. For advice on how ergonomists can help you identify and eliminate design exclusion and cater to new markets, see the importance of ergonomics.
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The importance of ergonomics
What is ergonomics and why ergonomists should be an integral part of your design development team
Ergonomics is about ensuring a good fit between people and the things they interact with. This could include the objects they use or the environments they live in. You should consider ergonomics in the design of every product, system or environment.
You should focus on ergonomics early in the design process. Ignoring ergonomics can lead to designs that are likely to fail commercially - as they don't fit the needs of the user.
Importance of ergonomics
Ergonomics is an important part of research in the product development process. Its purpose is to increase the safety, comfort and performance of a product or an environment, such as an office.
Ergonomics uses anthropometrical data to determine the optimum size, shape and form of a product, and make it easier for people to use.
Ergonomists can help you to identify which user characteristics you should take into account during your design process. This is important when you consider how much individuals vary in terms of:
- body size
- body shape
- strength
- mobility
- sensory sensitivity
- mental ability
- experience
- training
- culture
- emotions
When you apply ergonomic methods early in the design process, they can often identify opportunities for innovation. Find out more about the user-centred design process.
Categories of ergonomics
There are three broad areas of ergonomics:
Physical ergonomics looks at how human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics relate to physical activity. This includes:
- working postures
- manual handling
- repetitive movements
- musculoskeletal disorders
- workplace layout and environment
Psychological ergonomics studies mental processes (eg perception, cognition, memory, reasoning and emotion) and how people interact with products, systems and environments. This includes:
- mental workload
- decision-making
- human-computer interaction
- human reliability
- attitudes
- stress
- motivation
- pleasure
- cultural differences
Organisational ergonomics is about optimising the organisational structures, policies and processes of socio-technical systems. This includes:
- communication
- work design
- staff resource management
- working time patterns
- co-operative work
- quality management
- organisational culture
To ensure that you keep your end users' needs in focus at all times, you should make ergonomists an integral part of your design development team.
Read also about the advantages of user-centred design and the advantages of inclusive design.
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User-centred web design
Understand the principles of user-centred web design and the importance of making your business' website is easy for users to use
All businesses can benefit from an accessible and easy-to-use website. Online customers who find your website intuitive are much more likely to purchase from you and revisit your website in the future.
When planning your website, you should think about how your users will want to interact with your site. Attractive and accessible design, ease of navigation, well-written content, clear 'call to action' and well-designed e-commerce functionality will all make a difference to how effective the site is.
User-centred design for websites
The process for developing a user-centred website will typically include the following steps:
- Understand your business objectives and how this will affect your website - eg are there certain requirements that will have an impact on the usability of your website?
- Model different user journeys based on your customer insight and segmentation - you can use this to help define your site map and information architecture.
- Build 'wireframe' models of the website and other mock-ups - you can use these to test the 'look and feel' of the website prior to full development.
- Think about 'persuasive design' and how your website will support the customer to achieve certain goals on your website - eg a purchase or online registration.
- Design, build and test - this should be an iterative process that moves towards more functional prototypes and the final 'live' website. At this stage, you should aim to use expert evaluation alongside further user testing to ensure your understanding of the user all the way up to launch.
After launch, you should continue to collect user feedback as an on-going process. You can use this to benchmark performance and refer to when making future changes to the site. You can also assess the site's effectiveness after launch using web analytics tools to show how users are navigating the site.
If you have limited resources, you may want to consider using a well-designed template website rather than developing from scratch.
Web accessibility
Making sure that a business website is accessible to people with disabilities is not only good design practice. It is also a legal responsibility and a vital consideration in user-centred design. See more on best practice in web design.
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Top tips for user-centred design
Best practice on following user-centred design principles in your business, and developing great products and services for your users
User-centred design is a methodology that puts the user at the centre of all design decisions. You can apply the principles of user-centred design in web design, as well as new products or service development.
The three main principles of user-centred design are to:
- focus on user needs, goals and limitations (throughout the design process)
- measure and test developed designs with real users
- keep working on it until the product or service meets all of the needs of its users
It's important to find the right target users of your planned product or service to make sure you can carry out meaningful user-focused research. You should engage with these end-users early on and continually throughout your design process.
You should also:
- make user-centred design a shared priority for the whole design team
- integrate any research findings into the ongoing design work
- schedule time for regular feedback to the whole team
- utilise user stories, videos, photographs, checklists and catchphrases to make research findings vivid and enduring
Give users space to express themselves
Try to keep your user research sessions as intimate as possible. Having several members of your team present is likely to inhibit participants. Protect your participants' confidentiality and reassure them you are evaluating the design problems and not them personally.
If several people from your team need to carry out the research, it may be better for them to do it individually and share their findings afterwards.
Prototype, evaluate, reiterate
You should create prototypes, sketches or functional production models of your ideas, and gather user feedback on these as early as possible in the design process.
Depending on the nature of your project and the stage it's at, suitable prototypes can include:
- written scenarios or sketches outlining functionality
- computer-based simulations of functionality
- fully working models that represent the full functionality
A viable prototype enables end-users to give feedback on how well the product or service meets their needs, and on its usability. You can gain fresh perspectives by also testing prototypes on new users who have had no previous involvement with your project.
Find out more about the user-centred design process.
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Innovate UK open funding competitions
In this guide:
- Innovate UK funding and support
- Innovate UK funding: How does it work
- Categories of R&D supported by Innovate UK
- Find Innovate UK funding opportunities
- How to apply for Innovate UK funding
- Innovate UK open funding competitions
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships funding
- Small business research initiative (SBRI)
Innovate UK funding: How does it work
An overview of Innovate UK funding opportunities, including challenge-led (thematic) competitions, open competitions and innovation networks
Innovate UK provides government funding to businesses and research organisations across the UK, primarily through grant funding competitions. Some of these competitions are challenge-led, others are open to businesses from all sectors and industries.
Challenge-led competitions
Through its core grant funding, Innovate UK supports a wide range of businesses and ideas needed to maximise economic growth and societal impact across the country.
However, most significant opportunities for businesses exist in four priority areas set out in the government's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). These so called 'Grand Challenges' include:
- artificial intelligence and the data economy
- ageing society, health and nutrition
- clean growth and infrastructure
- future of mobility
Throughout the year, Innovate UK will launch various competitions within each of these challenge areas, as well as competitions targeted at other sectors and technologies with significant innovation potential and impact.
Typically, there are pre-briefings for each of the competition, as well as webinars, competition documents and deadlines for applications. The competition scope will specify the category of research and development (R&D) activity for that particular funding opportunity. Find out what categories of R&D are supported by Innovate UK.
Find Innovate UK funding opportunities.
Grants are awarded based on competition. This means that, in order to win the grant, you must:
- first meet the eligibility criteria for the particular challenge
- present the best proposal amongst all other applicants
The competitive process ensures that the funding goes to the most suitable business whose project meets the scope and the objectives of the competition. Find out how to apply for Innovate UK funding.
Open competition
As well as thematic, challenge-led competitions, Innovate UK also runs the 'Smart grant' programme with open competitions launching four times a year. These are open to any business or organisation from any sector, regardless of their technical or industrial area of focus. See more on Smart grants for innovative businesses.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
KTP is another core Innovate UK funding programme. It offers funding for partnerships between businesses and universities, enabling companies to bring in a graduate and embed innovation within their business. Find out more about the KTP scheme.
Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI)
Grants are not the only, or always most effective, form of funding from Innovate UK. Through the SBRI competitions, your business can apply for government contracts to help demonstrate and develop your new technologies. Read more about the SBRI funding.
Innovation loans
Innovation loans is a relatively new programme offering late-stage-development businesses flexible capital to support business growth through innovation. To get a loan, you must apply through a competitive loans process with strict eligibility criteria. Find out more about Innovate UK innovation loans.
Other Innovate UK support
As well as funding businesses and research organisations, Innovate UK also fund networks such as the Innovate UK Business Growth, Innovate UK Business Connect and Catapult centres.
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Categories of R&D supported by Innovate UK
Innovate UK funds different categories of research and development (R&D) activities to support a wide range of sectors
Innovate UK funds different categories of research and development (R&D) activities to support a wide range of sectors. These categories are:
- fundamental research
- feasibility studies
- industrial research
- experimental development
Grant funding will typically focus on a particular part of the new product, process or service development. However, it's not always easy to decide which category to position the project in. Different funding rules may also apply for different categories.
Fundamental research
This is research that focuses on generating new knowledge. It does not necessarily have a direct practical application or usage. It is typically undertaken by research organisations.
Feasibility studies
This involves assessing a project's potential to support decision-making for development. They may focus on uncovering the project's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and identifying the resources needed and the likelihood of success. Such studies can help you decide if you can work independently or would need to collaborate with others. They often lead to a subsequent larger project.
Industrial research
This type of research typically involves the development of new knowledge or skills for the purpose of product development, processes or services. For example, the creation of component parts to complex systems or prototypes in a laboratory or simulated environment.
Experimental development
This involves using existing scientific, technical or business knowledge to develop new or improved products, processes, or services. It can include activities such as conceptual definition, planning and documentation, prototyping, demonstrating, piloting, testing and validation of new or improved products, processes or services.
Choosing the right category for your project
When applying for grant funding, the responsibility for choosing the right category lies with the applicant. The competition scope will specify the category of R&D activity for that particular funding opportunity. The category you should reflect the majority of your work. If your work is evenly split across categories, email support@innovateuk.ukri.org.
Read more about how Innovate UK funding works and how to apply for Innovate UK funding.
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Find Innovate UK funding opportunities
How to find Innovate UK funding opportunities and use their Innovation Funding Service to apply for funding
Innovate UK's funding support, in the form of grants and loans, provides opportunities for businesses to innovate faster, more intensely, or more collaboratively than they would otherwise. The key to this is finding the right competition for your business.
You can use Innovate UK's Innovation Funding Service to:
- search and apply for innovation funding
- submit, track and manage your applications online
Not all projects and businesses may be eligible to apply to all competitions. Some competitions focus on specific challenge areas; others are open to all businesses and sectors.
Find out how Innovate UK funding works.
Using the Innovation Funding Service
You can browse announcements of new competitions via this service without registering. However, if you're planning on applying you will have to create an account in the service to start an application, or sign in to your existing account.
Once registered, you can invite project partners to work together on your application, assign tasks to specific partners, and ask them to work collaboratively on answering application questions.
Some funding opportunities, such as a few of the international competitions, are not yet able to use the Innovation Funding Service. These will use a secure file transfer site (FTP) application process instead.
Find out more about the Innovate UK application process.
Where to find out more about competitions
You can sign up for Innovate UK email alerts to hear about funding competitions relevant to your business.
For many competitions, Innovate UK will hold briefing events to present the scope of the competition, the application process and eligibility criteria. During these events, you can meet the Innovate UK team and ask questions. Registration links for the events are typically available on the competition website page for each competition.
Innovate UK partners such as Invest Northern Ireland or the Catapults may also be able to tell you about the various competitions and discuss partnering and wider funding opportunities for your business.
Before you apply
Each competition opportunity has its own eligibility criteria and scope. You should read the full eligibility, scope and guidance for the funding opportunity you wish to apply for. The announcement of the opportunity will have links to the relevant pages.
You should also carefully consider the category of R&D you're applying for as different funding rules will apply to different categories. See categories of R&D supported by Innovate UK.
If you have been previously awarded Innovate UK funding, make sure that you complete those projects fully. Not making an effort to exploit a previous award is likely to affect your subsequent applications.
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How to apply for Innovate UK funding
Who can apply for Innovate UK funding, and what projects are eligible for support
First step to applying for Innovate UK funding is understanding whether or not you are eligible.
Each competition opportunity has its own eligibility criteria and scope. It's important to carefully read the full eligibility, scope and guidance for the funding opportunity you wish to apply for. Not all businesses will be able to apply for all competitions.
Can you provide the required match funding?
In most cases, grant funding provided through Innovate UK expects some level of match funding. This means applicants are expected to provide a proportion of the total eligible project costs. How much this is depends on the size of your business and the stage of research and development that you are working on (eg feasibility study or experimental development).
To help you decide if competing for Innovate UK funding is right for you and your business, ask yourself:
- What's the problem you're trying to solve and why?
- What business need or market opportunity drives your innovation?
- Does your solution match the opportunity?
- Is your idea commercially viable? How will you make money from it?
- What impact might your project have outside your business? Consider the wider economic, social and environmental benefits.
- How will you manage the project effectively?
- Is your solution pushing the boundaries of technology in a novel way?
- Does your project represent good value for public money?
Your application is your chance to show the assessors you've done all the careful preparation and planning needed to bring your big idea to life.
Application process
Innovate UK typically runs two types of application process for funding awards. These are:
- an online application process through the Innovation Funding Service
- a document-based file transfer protocol (FTP) application process
Read about the differences in these two processes in Innovate UK's application guidance.
If you need more information, email Innovate UK at support@innovateuk.ukri.org or call the competition helpline on 0300 321 4357.
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Innovate UK open funding competitions
Information about Innovate UK’s funding opportunities open to any innovative business, from any sector
In addition to their sector-focused funding programmes, Innovate UK run a number of open programmes for innovative businesses with high-growth potential.
Businesses of any size, and from any sector or industry, can apply.
Open funding programme
The programme supports innovation at various stages - from proof of concept through to prototype development and demonstration.
It is designed to help businesses:
- access knowledge and expertise, by enabling them to work with knowledge and research providers
- validate their ideas and concepts to help them attract private investment
- reduce financial risk and the funding gap through co-funding
Each year, Innovate UK will run two rounds of open funding competitions to provide these opportunities to innovative businesses.
Read more about Innovate UK's open funding programme.
Knowledge transfer
Under Innovate UK's Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) programme, you can get support and funding to innovate within your business.
KTPs will help you work with a research organisation and a recently-qualified graduate. You can apply if you are a business or a third sector or a public sector organisation. Read more about the opportunities for knowledge transfer partnerships funding.
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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships funding
Find out about the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships support and funding available, and how to apply.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) scheme enables businesses to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance through better use of knowledge, technology and skills.
It does so by facilitating the formation of a partnership between:
- your business
- an academic institute, known as the knowledge base partner
- a recently qualified individual known as 'the associate' (usually a graduate) to facilitate the transfer of knowledge to your business
Types of KTP programmes
Technical KTPs match graduates from a specific discipline such as engineering, ICT or construction with companies undertaking projects related to their speciality.
Management KTPs match business management graduates with companies from all sectors seeking to implement strategic organisational improvements.
Projects typically last from 12 to 36 months and funding is available for up to two-thirds of the total project costs.
Benefits of taking part in KTP
Taking part in a KTP can help you to develop your business by accessing academic expertise that you don't have in-house.
A KTP is part-funded by a grant. You will need to contribute to the cost of the supervisor and the salary of the associate. The amount you will need to contribute depends on:
- the scale and length of the project
- the size of your company
If you are a small to medium-sized business, you will need to contribute a third of the costs. The average annual contribution to a project for an SME is around £25,000.
If you are a larger business, you may need to contribute half the cost. The average annual contribution to a project for a larger company is around £40,000.
Northern Ireland companies, knowledge providers and associates regularly feature as winners in the UK KTP annual awards.
Find out more about the KTP benefits to the business.
Eligible projects
KTP is open to any business although not all projects may be suitable. To find out if your project is suitable for a KTP, you can discuss your idea with:
- a regional KTP adviser
- a university or college KTP office
- Invest Northern Ireland (NI)
Getting support with KTP projects
Businesses in Northern Ireland can get KTP support from Invest NI. Support is also available through:
- Queen's University Belfast
- Ulster University
- Belfast Metropolitan College
- Northern Regional College
- North West Regional College
- South Eastern Regional College
- Southern Regional College
- South West College
For advice on knowledge transfers and other collaborative support, you can contact Invest NI's helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422.
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Small business research initiative (SBRI)
Find out how SBRI can benefit your small business and help you win government contracts for innovation and research
SBRI is a pre-commercial programme designed by Innovate UK to encourage private sector businesses to provide innovative solutions to public sector challenges.
Through the SBRI, government departments run competitions to seek solutions to specific issues. Competitions generally have different themes and opening dates and deadlines vary throughout the year.
Advantages of SBRI
SBRI can provide your business with:
- a route to market for new ideas and technologies and a chance to work with a lead customer to help validate and refine the idea
- finance that bridges the seed funding gap through 100 per cent funded research and development contracts with no loss of equity
- a simple way of engaging with the public sector and a step on the procurement ladder
- a way to create and retain intellectual property that will be commercialised to deliver business growth
SBRI eligibility criteria
You can apply for an SBRI contract if you are a business. The scheme is particularly beneficial for early-stage and small and medium-sized businesses. Pre-startups may apply, however the contracts can only be awarded to legal entities.
Initial funding of between £50,000 and £100,000 is available to help you test your idea and see if it will work. You can then win a further contract worth up to £1 million or more to develop and commercialise this idea.
How to apply for an SBRI contract
If you run a small business and need that all important first customer to help you develop and trial your innovative new product, then SBRI might be for you. SBRI gives start-ups and small companies sufficient funding to make a real difference, increasing chances of success and accelerating sales growth. Speak to Invest NI on Tel 0800 181 4422 about how you can get involved.
See the latest SBRI competitions or watch case studies below of local Northern Ireland businesses sharing their experience with SBRI.
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CE marking enforcement and documentation
What is CE marking?
CE marking is a record of a product's compliance with EU legislation, and it is mandatory for certain categories of products
CE marking is a declaration of a product's compliance with European Union (EU) legislation. It is a certification mark affixed to certain types of products that declares conformity with the applicable EU health, safety and environmental protection legislation and standards.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
What is CE marking on products?
CE marking is a type of self-certification that shows that:
- the manufacturer has checked that the product meets EU legal requirements
- the product complies with EU legislation
- the product is free to move within the European market
CE marking does not mean the product was made in the European Economic Area (EEA). It simply asserts that the product can be legally sold within the EEA market.
CE mark logo
The official CE mark comprises the letters C and E. Their shape is based on a series of circles, with exact spacing between the letters.
Find example CE marking logos on the Europa website.
The mark should be affixed to the product. If this is not possible, it should be included on the packaging or accompanying documents.
What needs to be CE marked?
CE marking is mandatory for many types of products, such as electronics, toys, machinery, medical devices and vehicles, as well as many construction goods.
Not all products need to bear CE marking. Only those products for which EU product specifications exist must comply with the CE marking requirements.
If your product requires CE marking but doesn't conform to the relevant standards, you cannot sell it legally in the EEA countries. If your product doesn't require CE marking, it shouldn't carry the CE mark.
See more on products that need CE marking.
Who is responsible for CE marking?
If you are a manufacturer it is your responsibility to:
- carry out the conformity assessment
- set up the technical file
- issue the EC Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
- place CE marking on a product
If you are a distributor you must check the presence of both the CE marking and the necessary supporting documentation.
If you are importing a product that is from a third country you have to check that the manufacturer outside the EU has undertaken the necessary steps. You must check that the documentation is available.
Find out how to place CE marking on a product.
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Products that need CE marking
What products need to be CE marked before you can trade them freely in the EU, which European product directives apply, and when is CE marking required
Not all products sold in the European Union (EU) need to bear CE marking. CE marking is only mandatory for those products that fall under the scope of one or more of the European Commission product directives, known as the 'New Approach Directives'.
These directives define essential requirements related to health, safety and environmental issues that the products must meet in order to be placed on the European market.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
What products need CE marking?
CE marking applies to the following product groups:
- active implantable medical devices
- appliances burning gaseous fuels
- cableway installations designed to carry persons
- construction products
- eco-design of energy-related products
- electromagnetic compatibility
- equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
- explosives for civil uses
- hot-water boilers
- household refrigerators and freezers
- in vitro diagnostic medical devices
- lifts
- low voltage
- machinery
- measuring instruments
- medical devices
- noise emission in the environment
- non-automatic weighing instruments
- personal protective equipment
- pressure equipment
- pyrotechnics
- radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment
- recreational craft
- restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
- safety of toys
- simple pressure vessels
CE marking does not apply to items such as:
- chemicals
- pharmaceuticals, including cosmetics
- foodstuffs
Read more about product groups that are subject to CE marking legislation.
Directives that apply to your product
Over 20 directives exist for the different product categories requiring CE marking. Some products may fall under more than one EU directive or regulation.
See a summary list of EU product legislation.
Where EU directives or standards apply to your product, you must ensure it conforms to the specified essential requirements before you can trade your product freely in the EU market. Check the requirements for your product on the Access2Markets portal.
CE marking process
Before you place a CE mark on your product, you must determine exactly which directives apply and ensure that your product complies with the essential requirements of all applicable EU legislation. See how to place CE marking on a product.
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How to place CE marking on a product
Steps you must follow to affix CE marking to your product, including conformity assessment, technical files and EU Declaration of Conformity>
Before you place a CE marking on your product, you need to establish which EU New Approach Directives apply to it. You must not attach a CE marking to a product outside the scope of the directives.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
How do you get CE certification?
The process you follow depends on the directives that apply to your product. Typically, there are six specific steps to CE marking compliance.
Step 1: Identify applicable directive(s) and standards
Different directives and standards may apply to your product. These are harmonised at European Union (EU) level and lay down the essential requirements (eg on safety) that your product has to fulfil. The CE marking process you must follow depends on which EU directives apply to your product.
Not all products require CE marking. Only products that fall under one or more of the European product directives are subject to CE marking rules. See products that need CE marking.
Step 2: Check the essential requirements for your product
Each directive outlines what the EU legally requires in order for your product to be compliant. It is up to you to ensure that your product conforms to the requirements. The directives don't tell you how you must achieve this. You can use harmonised standards (if they exist for your product) or choose other ways to fulfil the requirements set out in the directives.
STEP 3: Check if your product needs a third-party conformity assessment
Some directives require that an authorised third party, known as a notified body, tests and certifies your product in order to ensure conformity with the requirements. This conformity assessment procedure is not compulsory for all products. However, if you find that you need a notified body, use NANDO database to search by country and by directive.
UK conformity assessment bodies can no longer carry out mandatory conformity assessment for products being placed on the EU market.
STEP 4: Test the product and check its conformity
Where it is not necessary to involve a notified body, you must rely on your own facilities to access your product's conformity. The directives outline which conformity assessments procedures - also known as modules - you can undertake.
STEP 5: Create and maintain technical documentation
All CE marking directives require manufacturers to create and make available technical documentation (ie a technical file) that shows the product's conformity to the requirements of the applicable directive. The kind of information that you have to keep, and the period you have to maintain it for, varies with directives and regulations. Examples of what is required may include a general description of the product, detailed drawings, a list of standards that apply, a copy of the risk assessment, copies of technical reports, instructions, the manufacturer's declaration, etc.
STEP 6: Sign the EU Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE mark
The final steps in the CE marking process include affixing the mark to your product and signing a Declaration of Conformity. The declaration acknowledges that the manufacturer is solely responsible for the compliance of their product with all applicable CE marking directives. See an example EU Declaration of Conformity.
The manufacturer (or their authorised representative within the EEA or Turkey) must affix the CE mark according to specific rules. Only after the mark is properly affixed, your product will be ready for the market. Find rules on using the CE marking.
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Rules on using the CE marking
How to affix CE marking on your product and follow the rules for reproducing the CE marking logo
By placing the CE marking on your product, you are declaring that your product complies with all applicable European Union (EU) directives. You should only place the CE mark on your product if:
- it is subject to one or more of the directives
- it conforms to the essential requirements of the directive(s)
You must not affix CE marking to products that are out of scope of the EU directives. Find out what products need CE marking.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
Who is responsible for CE marking?
Only the manufacturer, or their authorised representative, must affix the CE marking. The manufacturer may be established inside or outside the EU, while the authorised representative must be established with the EU.
When attaching the CE marking, the manufacturer ultimately takes full responsibility for their product's conformity with the requirements of ALL relevant EU directives.
If an importer or a distributor place a product on the market under their own name or trade mark, or modify the product, they then take over the manufacturer's responsibilities. This includes the responsibility for the conformity of the product and the affixing of the CE mark.
Affixing the CE marking
You must affix the CE marking to the product before you place it on the market. This typically takes place at the end of the production phase. If you affix the CE mark by stamping or casting, you can add it at any stage of production if you have verified the conformity of the product.
As a rule, you should affix the CE marking to the product or its data plate. In certain circumstances, you can place it instead on the packaging, in manuals and other supporting literature.
If a notified body is involved in the production phase of the product, the notified body's identification number must follow the CE marking. Bear in mind that UK conformity assessment bodies can no longer carry out mandatory conformity assessment for products being placed on the EU market.
CE marking logo requirements
Depending on the particulars of the directive that applies to your product, you must make sure that the CE marking:
- consist of the initials 'CE' in the standard, recognisable form
- is legible and at least 5mm in height (unless specified differently in the directive)
- remains proportional to the original, if you reduce or enlarge the size of your mark
- is easily visible, readable and permanent
Find example CE marking logos on the Europa website.
You must not cover up CE marking with other markings affixed to the product, or use any marks to misconstrue the meaning or form of the CE marking to third parties.
Rules covering the use of the CE marking may vary depending on the specific EU directive that applies to the product.
You can find comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules in the so-called Blue Guide.
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Source URL
/content/rules-using-ce-marking
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CE marking enforcement and documentation
Information on CE marking documentation and enforcement, including who is responsible and what are potential penalties for misuse of CE marking
A number of organisations enforce CE marking legislation. Enforcement is important to prevent misuse of the CE marking and ensure product safety standards.
CE marking enforcement
Nominated public authorities (Market Surveillance Authorities) are responsible for enforcement - or market surveillance - in each European Economic Area member state. The authorities and processes vary depending on the directives applicable to your product.
The following bodies, amongst others, are responsible for CE marking enforcement in the UK:
- Trading Standards Services
- the Health and Safety Executive
- the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
- the National Measurement Office
If an enforcement body finds that your product does not meet CE marking requirements, they may give you an opportunity to ensure it is correctly CE marked. If you fail to comply with this, you will have to take your product off the market. You may also be liable for a fine and imprisonment.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
CE marking documentation requirement
You must keep certain documentation once you place the CE marking on your product. The Market Surveillance Authorities can ask for this information at any time to check that you have legitimately affixed CE marking to a product.
See how to place CE marking on a product.
The information you must keep will vary depending on the specific directives relevant to your product. However, you must keep general records of:
- how the product is manufactured
- how the product conforms to the relevant national standards
- addresses of manufacture and storage places
- design and manufacture of the product
- which directives apply to the product and how you have met their requirements
- European Community type-examination certificates - if applicable
You should keep the information in a technical file, which you can give to the enforcement authority if they request it.
You can find comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules in the so-called Blue Guide.
The manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
The DoC is a document which may be required to accompany a product and in which the manufacturer, or his authorised representative within the European Economic Area, indicates that the product meets all the necessary requirements of the directives applicable to the specific product.
The DoC also contains:
- the name and address of the manufacturer
- the information about the product, such as brand and serial number
The DoC must be signed by an individual working for the manufacturer or an authorised representative, and the employee's function must also be indicated. Download a sample EU Declaration of Conformity (DOC, 27K).
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Help with CE marking in Northern Ireland
CE marking and global technical compliance seminars for businesses in Northern Ireland
For the majority of businesses, CE marking is a self-certification process. It involves an evaluation of the product or equipment either by risk assessment or against a relevant standard.
If you need help with understanding the process to achieving CE marking, Invest Northern Ireland's (NI) technical advisers can offer assistance. Find out about Invest NI's technical advice support or call the Invest NI Helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422.
CE marking seminars
Invest NI periodically delivers CE marking and global technical compliance seminars for Northern Ireland businesses. These seminars can help you determine the CE marking route that is most appropriate, cost-effective and efficient for your products.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/help-ce-marking-northern-ireland
Links
Rules on using the CE marking
What is CE marking?
CE marking is a record of a product's compliance with EU legislation, and it is mandatory for certain categories of products
CE marking is a declaration of a product's compliance with European Union (EU) legislation. It is a certification mark affixed to certain types of products that declares conformity with the applicable EU health, safety and environmental protection legislation and standards.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
What is CE marking on products?
CE marking is a type of self-certification that shows that:
- the manufacturer has checked that the product meets EU legal requirements
- the product complies with EU legislation
- the product is free to move within the European market
CE marking does not mean the product was made in the European Economic Area (EEA). It simply asserts that the product can be legally sold within the EEA market.
CE mark logo
The official CE mark comprises the letters C and E. Their shape is based on a series of circles, with exact spacing between the letters.
Find example CE marking logos on the Europa website.
The mark should be affixed to the product. If this is not possible, it should be included on the packaging or accompanying documents.
What needs to be CE marked?
CE marking is mandatory for many types of products, such as electronics, toys, machinery, medical devices and vehicles, as well as many construction goods.
Not all products need to bear CE marking. Only those products for which EU product specifications exist must comply with the CE marking requirements.
If your product requires CE marking but doesn't conform to the relevant standards, you cannot sell it legally in the EEA countries. If your product doesn't require CE marking, it shouldn't carry the CE mark.
See more on products that need CE marking.
Who is responsible for CE marking?
If you are a manufacturer it is your responsibility to:
- carry out the conformity assessment
- set up the technical file
- issue the EC Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
- place CE marking on a product
If you are a distributor you must check the presence of both the CE marking and the necessary supporting documentation.
If you are importing a product that is from a third country you have to check that the manufacturer outside the EU has undertaken the necessary steps. You must check that the documentation is available.
Find out how to place CE marking on a product.
HelpAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/what-ce-marking
Links
Products that need CE marking
What products need to be CE marked before you can trade them freely in the EU, which European product directives apply, and when is CE marking required
Not all products sold in the European Union (EU) need to bear CE marking. CE marking is only mandatory for those products that fall under the scope of one or more of the European Commission product directives, known as the 'New Approach Directives'.
These directives define essential requirements related to health, safety and environmental issues that the products must meet in order to be placed on the European market.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
What products need CE marking?
CE marking applies to the following product groups:
- active implantable medical devices
- appliances burning gaseous fuels
- cableway installations designed to carry persons
- construction products
- eco-design of energy-related products
- electromagnetic compatibility
- equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
- explosives for civil uses
- hot-water boilers
- household refrigerators and freezers
- in vitro diagnostic medical devices
- lifts
- low voltage
- machinery
- measuring instruments
- medical devices
- noise emission in the environment
- non-automatic weighing instruments
- personal protective equipment
- pressure equipment
- pyrotechnics
- radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment
- recreational craft
- restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
- safety of toys
- simple pressure vessels
CE marking does not apply to items such as:
- chemicals
- pharmaceuticals, including cosmetics
- foodstuffs
Read more about product groups that are subject to CE marking legislation.
Directives that apply to your product
Over 20 directives exist for the different product categories requiring CE marking. Some products may fall under more than one EU directive or regulation.
See a summary list of EU product legislation.
Where EU directives or standards apply to your product, you must ensure it conforms to the specified essential requirements before you can trade your product freely in the EU market. Check the requirements for your product on the Access2Markets portal.
CE marking process
Before you place a CE mark on your product, you must determine exactly which directives apply and ensure that your product complies with the essential requirements of all applicable EU legislation. See how to place CE marking on a product.
HelpAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/products-need-ce-marking
Links
How to place CE marking on a product
Steps you must follow to affix CE marking to your product, including conformity assessment, technical files and EU Declaration of Conformity>
Before you place a CE marking on your product, you need to establish which EU New Approach Directives apply to it. You must not attach a CE marking to a product outside the scope of the directives.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
How do you get CE certification?
The process you follow depends on the directives that apply to your product. Typically, there are six specific steps to CE marking compliance.
Step 1: Identify applicable directive(s) and standards
Different directives and standards may apply to your product. These are harmonised at European Union (EU) level and lay down the essential requirements (eg on safety) that your product has to fulfil. The CE marking process you must follow depends on which EU directives apply to your product.
Not all products require CE marking. Only products that fall under one or more of the European product directives are subject to CE marking rules. See products that need CE marking.
Step 2: Check the essential requirements for your product
Each directive outlines what the EU legally requires in order for your product to be compliant. It is up to you to ensure that your product conforms to the requirements. The directives don't tell you how you must achieve this. You can use harmonised standards (if they exist for your product) or choose other ways to fulfil the requirements set out in the directives.
STEP 3: Check if your product needs a third-party conformity assessment
Some directives require that an authorised third party, known as a notified body, tests and certifies your product in order to ensure conformity with the requirements. This conformity assessment procedure is not compulsory for all products. However, if you find that you need a notified body, use NANDO database to search by country and by directive.
UK conformity assessment bodies can no longer carry out mandatory conformity assessment for products being placed on the EU market.
STEP 4: Test the product and check its conformity
Where it is not necessary to involve a notified body, you must rely on your own facilities to access your product's conformity. The directives outline which conformity assessments procedures - also known as modules - you can undertake.
STEP 5: Create and maintain technical documentation
All CE marking directives require manufacturers to create and make available technical documentation (ie a technical file) that shows the product's conformity to the requirements of the applicable directive. The kind of information that you have to keep, and the period you have to maintain it for, varies with directives and regulations. Examples of what is required may include a general description of the product, detailed drawings, a list of standards that apply, a copy of the risk assessment, copies of technical reports, instructions, the manufacturer's declaration, etc.
STEP 6: Sign the EU Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE mark
The final steps in the CE marking process include affixing the mark to your product and signing a Declaration of Conformity. The declaration acknowledges that the manufacturer is solely responsible for the compliance of their product with all applicable CE marking directives. See an example EU Declaration of Conformity.
The manufacturer (or their authorised representative within the EEA or Turkey) must affix the CE mark according to specific rules. Only after the mark is properly affixed, your product will be ready for the market. Find rules on using the CE marking.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/how-place-ce-marking-product
Links
Rules on using the CE marking
How to affix CE marking on your product and follow the rules for reproducing the CE marking logo
By placing the CE marking on your product, you are declaring that your product complies with all applicable European Union (EU) directives. You should only place the CE mark on your product if:
- it is subject to one or more of the directives
- it conforms to the essential requirements of the directive(s)
You must not affix CE marking to products that are out of scope of the EU directives. Find out what products need CE marking.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
Who is responsible for CE marking?
Only the manufacturer, or their authorised representative, must affix the CE marking. The manufacturer may be established inside or outside the EU, while the authorised representative must be established with the EU.
When attaching the CE marking, the manufacturer ultimately takes full responsibility for their product's conformity with the requirements of ALL relevant EU directives.
If an importer or a distributor place a product on the market under their own name or trade mark, or modify the product, they then take over the manufacturer's responsibilities. This includes the responsibility for the conformity of the product and the affixing of the CE mark.
Affixing the CE marking
You must affix the CE marking to the product before you place it on the market. This typically takes place at the end of the production phase. If you affix the CE mark by stamping or casting, you can add it at any stage of production if you have verified the conformity of the product.
As a rule, you should affix the CE marking to the product or its data plate. In certain circumstances, you can place it instead on the packaging, in manuals and other supporting literature.
If a notified body is involved in the production phase of the product, the notified body's identification number must follow the CE marking. Bear in mind that UK conformity assessment bodies can no longer carry out mandatory conformity assessment for products being placed on the EU market.
CE marking logo requirements
Depending on the particulars of the directive that applies to your product, you must make sure that the CE marking:
- consist of the initials 'CE' in the standard, recognisable form
- is legible and at least 5mm in height (unless specified differently in the directive)
- remains proportional to the original, if you reduce or enlarge the size of your mark
- is easily visible, readable and permanent
Find example CE marking logos on the Europa website.
You must not cover up CE marking with other markings affixed to the product, or use any marks to misconstrue the meaning or form of the CE marking to third parties.
Rules covering the use of the CE marking may vary depending on the specific EU directive that applies to the product.
You can find comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules in the so-called Blue Guide.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/rules-using-ce-marking
Links
CE marking enforcement and documentation
Information on CE marking documentation and enforcement, including who is responsible and what are potential penalties for misuse of CE marking
A number of organisations enforce CE marking legislation. Enforcement is important to prevent misuse of the CE marking and ensure product safety standards.
CE marking enforcement
Nominated public authorities (Market Surveillance Authorities) are responsible for enforcement - or market surveillance - in each European Economic Area member state. The authorities and processes vary depending on the directives applicable to your product.
The following bodies, amongst others, are responsible for CE marking enforcement in the UK:
- Trading Standards Services
- the Health and Safety Executive
- the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
- the National Measurement Office
If an enforcement body finds that your product does not meet CE marking requirements, they may give you an opportunity to ensure it is correctly CE marked. If you fail to comply with this, you will have to take your product off the market. You may also be liable for a fine and imprisonment.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
CE marking documentation requirement
You must keep certain documentation once you place the CE marking on your product. The Market Surveillance Authorities can ask for this information at any time to check that you have legitimately affixed CE marking to a product.
See how to place CE marking on a product.
The information you must keep will vary depending on the specific directives relevant to your product. However, you must keep general records of:
- how the product is manufactured
- how the product conforms to the relevant national standards
- addresses of manufacture and storage places
- design and manufacture of the product
- which directives apply to the product and how you have met their requirements
- European Community type-examination certificates - if applicable
You should keep the information in a technical file, which you can give to the enforcement authority if they request it.
You can find comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules in the so-called Blue Guide.
The manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
The DoC is a document which may be required to accompany a product and in which the manufacturer, or his authorised representative within the European Economic Area, indicates that the product meets all the necessary requirements of the directives applicable to the specific product.
The DoC also contains:
- the name and address of the manufacturer
- the information about the product, such as brand and serial number
The DoC must be signed by an individual working for the manufacturer or an authorised representative, and the employee's function must also be indicated. Download a sample EU Declaration of Conformity (DOC, 27K).
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/ce-marking-enforcement-and-documentation
Links
Help with CE marking in Northern Ireland
CE marking and global technical compliance seminars for businesses in Northern Ireland
For the majority of businesses, CE marking is a self-certification process. It involves an evaluation of the product or equipment either by risk assessment or against a relevant standard.
If you need help with understanding the process to achieving CE marking, Invest Northern Ireland's (NI) technical advisers can offer assistance. Find out about Invest NI's technical advice support or call the Invest NI Helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422.
CE marking seminars
Invest NI periodically delivers CE marking and global technical compliance seminars for Northern Ireland businesses. These seminars can help you determine the CE marking route that is most appropriate, cost-effective and efficient for your products.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/help-ce-marking-northern-ireland
Links
How to place CE marking on a product
What is CE marking?
CE marking is a record of a product's compliance with EU legislation, and it is mandatory for certain categories of products
CE marking is a declaration of a product's compliance with European Union (EU) legislation. It is a certification mark affixed to certain types of products that declares conformity with the applicable EU health, safety and environmental protection legislation and standards.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
What is CE marking on products?
CE marking is a type of self-certification that shows that:
- the manufacturer has checked that the product meets EU legal requirements
- the product complies with EU legislation
- the product is free to move within the European market
CE marking does not mean the product was made in the European Economic Area (EEA). It simply asserts that the product can be legally sold within the EEA market.
CE mark logo
The official CE mark comprises the letters C and E. Their shape is based on a series of circles, with exact spacing between the letters.
Find example CE marking logos on the Europa website.
The mark should be affixed to the product. If this is not possible, it should be included on the packaging or accompanying documents.
What needs to be CE marked?
CE marking is mandatory for many types of products, such as electronics, toys, machinery, medical devices and vehicles, as well as many construction goods.
Not all products need to bear CE marking. Only those products for which EU product specifications exist must comply with the CE marking requirements.
If your product requires CE marking but doesn't conform to the relevant standards, you cannot sell it legally in the EEA countries. If your product doesn't require CE marking, it shouldn't carry the CE mark.
See more on products that need CE marking.
Who is responsible for CE marking?
If you are a manufacturer it is your responsibility to:
- carry out the conformity assessment
- set up the technical file
- issue the EC Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
- place CE marking on a product
If you are a distributor you must check the presence of both the CE marking and the necessary supporting documentation.
If you are importing a product that is from a third country you have to check that the manufacturer outside the EU has undertaken the necessary steps. You must check that the documentation is available.
Find out how to place CE marking on a product.
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Source URL
/content/what-ce-marking
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Products that need CE marking
What products need to be CE marked before you can trade them freely in the EU, which European product directives apply, and when is CE marking required
Not all products sold in the European Union (EU) need to bear CE marking. CE marking is only mandatory for those products that fall under the scope of one or more of the European Commission product directives, known as the 'New Approach Directives'.
These directives define essential requirements related to health, safety and environmental issues that the products must meet in order to be placed on the European market.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
What products need CE marking?
CE marking applies to the following product groups:
- active implantable medical devices
- appliances burning gaseous fuels
- cableway installations designed to carry persons
- construction products
- eco-design of energy-related products
- electromagnetic compatibility
- equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
- explosives for civil uses
- hot-water boilers
- household refrigerators and freezers
- in vitro diagnostic medical devices
- lifts
- low voltage
- machinery
- measuring instruments
- medical devices
- noise emission in the environment
- non-automatic weighing instruments
- personal protective equipment
- pressure equipment
- pyrotechnics
- radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment
- recreational craft
- restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
- safety of toys
- simple pressure vessels
CE marking does not apply to items such as:
- chemicals
- pharmaceuticals, including cosmetics
- foodstuffs
Read more about product groups that are subject to CE marking legislation.
Directives that apply to your product
Over 20 directives exist for the different product categories requiring CE marking. Some products may fall under more than one EU directive or regulation.
See a summary list of EU product legislation.
Where EU directives or standards apply to your product, you must ensure it conforms to the specified essential requirements before you can trade your product freely in the EU market. Check the requirements for your product on the Access2Markets portal.
CE marking process
Before you place a CE mark on your product, you must determine exactly which directives apply and ensure that your product complies with the essential requirements of all applicable EU legislation. See how to place CE marking on a product.
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Source URL
/content/products-need-ce-marking
Links
How to place CE marking on a product
Steps you must follow to affix CE marking to your product, including conformity assessment, technical files and EU Declaration of Conformity>
Before you place a CE marking on your product, you need to establish which EU New Approach Directives apply to it. You must not attach a CE marking to a product outside the scope of the directives.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
How do you get CE certification?
The process you follow depends on the directives that apply to your product. Typically, there are six specific steps to CE marking compliance.
Step 1: Identify applicable directive(s) and standards
Different directives and standards may apply to your product. These are harmonised at European Union (EU) level and lay down the essential requirements (eg on safety) that your product has to fulfil. The CE marking process you must follow depends on which EU directives apply to your product.
Not all products require CE marking. Only products that fall under one or more of the European product directives are subject to CE marking rules. See products that need CE marking.
Step 2: Check the essential requirements for your product
Each directive outlines what the EU legally requires in order for your product to be compliant. It is up to you to ensure that your product conforms to the requirements. The directives don't tell you how you must achieve this. You can use harmonised standards (if they exist for your product) or choose other ways to fulfil the requirements set out in the directives.
STEP 3: Check if your product needs a third-party conformity assessment
Some directives require that an authorised third party, known as a notified body, tests and certifies your product in order to ensure conformity with the requirements. This conformity assessment procedure is not compulsory for all products. However, if you find that you need a notified body, use NANDO database to search by country and by directive.
UK conformity assessment bodies can no longer carry out mandatory conformity assessment for products being placed on the EU market.
STEP 4: Test the product and check its conformity
Where it is not necessary to involve a notified body, you must rely on your own facilities to access your product's conformity. The directives outline which conformity assessments procedures - also known as modules - you can undertake.
STEP 5: Create and maintain technical documentation
All CE marking directives require manufacturers to create and make available technical documentation (ie a technical file) that shows the product's conformity to the requirements of the applicable directive. The kind of information that you have to keep, and the period you have to maintain it for, varies with directives and regulations. Examples of what is required may include a general description of the product, detailed drawings, a list of standards that apply, a copy of the risk assessment, copies of technical reports, instructions, the manufacturer's declaration, etc.
STEP 6: Sign the EU Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE mark
The final steps in the CE marking process include affixing the mark to your product and signing a Declaration of Conformity. The declaration acknowledges that the manufacturer is solely responsible for the compliance of their product with all applicable CE marking directives. See an example EU Declaration of Conformity.
The manufacturer (or their authorised representative within the EEA or Turkey) must affix the CE mark according to specific rules. Only after the mark is properly affixed, your product will be ready for the market. Find rules on using the CE marking.
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Source URL
/content/how-place-ce-marking-product
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Rules on using the CE marking
How to affix CE marking on your product and follow the rules for reproducing the CE marking logo
By placing the CE marking on your product, you are declaring that your product complies with all applicable European Union (EU) directives. You should only place the CE mark on your product if:
- it is subject to one or more of the directives
- it conforms to the essential requirements of the directive(s)
You must not affix CE marking to products that are out of scope of the EU directives. Find out what products need CE marking.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
Who is responsible for CE marking?
Only the manufacturer, or their authorised representative, must affix the CE marking. The manufacturer may be established inside or outside the EU, while the authorised representative must be established with the EU.
When attaching the CE marking, the manufacturer ultimately takes full responsibility for their product's conformity with the requirements of ALL relevant EU directives.
If an importer or a distributor place a product on the market under their own name or trade mark, or modify the product, they then take over the manufacturer's responsibilities. This includes the responsibility for the conformity of the product and the affixing of the CE mark.
Affixing the CE marking
You must affix the CE marking to the product before you place it on the market. This typically takes place at the end of the production phase. If you affix the CE mark by stamping or casting, you can add it at any stage of production if you have verified the conformity of the product.
As a rule, you should affix the CE marking to the product or its data plate. In certain circumstances, you can place it instead on the packaging, in manuals and other supporting literature.
If a notified body is involved in the production phase of the product, the notified body's identification number must follow the CE marking. Bear in mind that UK conformity assessment bodies can no longer carry out mandatory conformity assessment for products being placed on the EU market.
CE marking logo requirements
Depending on the particulars of the directive that applies to your product, you must make sure that the CE marking:
- consist of the initials 'CE' in the standard, recognisable form
- is legible and at least 5mm in height (unless specified differently in the directive)
- remains proportional to the original, if you reduce or enlarge the size of your mark
- is easily visible, readable and permanent
Find example CE marking logos on the Europa website.
You must not cover up CE marking with other markings affixed to the product, or use any marks to misconstrue the meaning or form of the CE marking to third parties.
Rules covering the use of the CE marking may vary depending on the specific EU directive that applies to the product.
You can find comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules in the so-called Blue Guide.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/rules-using-ce-marking
Links
CE marking enforcement and documentation
Information on CE marking documentation and enforcement, including who is responsible and what are potential penalties for misuse of CE marking
A number of organisations enforce CE marking legislation. Enforcement is important to prevent misuse of the CE marking and ensure product safety standards.
CE marking enforcement
Nominated public authorities (Market Surveillance Authorities) are responsible for enforcement - or market surveillance - in each European Economic Area member state. The authorities and processes vary depending on the directives applicable to your product.
The following bodies, amongst others, are responsible for CE marking enforcement in the UK:
- Trading Standards Services
- the Health and Safety Executive
- the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
- the National Measurement Office
If an enforcement body finds that your product does not meet CE marking requirements, they may give you an opportunity to ensure it is correctly CE marked. If you fail to comply with this, you will have to take your product off the market. You may also be liable for a fine and imprisonment.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
CE marking documentation requirement
You must keep certain documentation once you place the CE marking on your product. The Market Surveillance Authorities can ask for this information at any time to check that you have legitimately affixed CE marking to a product.
See how to place CE marking on a product.
The information you must keep will vary depending on the specific directives relevant to your product. However, you must keep general records of:
- how the product is manufactured
- how the product conforms to the relevant national standards
- addresses of manufacture and storage places
- design and manufacture of the product
- which directives apply to the product and how you have met their requirements
- European Community type-examination certificates - if applicable
You should keep the information in a technical file, which you can give to the enforcement authority if they request it.
You can find comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules in the so-called Blue Guide.
The manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
The DoC is a document which may be required to accompany a product and in which the manufacturer, or his authorised representative within the European Economic Area, indicates that the product meets all the necessary requirements of the directives applicable to the specific product.
The DoC also contains:
- the name and address of the manufacturer
- the information about the product, such as brand and serial number
The DoC must be signed by an individual working for the manufacturer or an authorised representative, and the employee's function must also be indicated. Download a sample EU Declaration of Conformity (DOC, 27K).
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Source URL
/content/ce-marking-enforcement-and-documentation
Links
Help with CE marking in Northern Ireland
CE marking and global technical compliance seminars for businesses in Northern Ireland
For the majority of businesses, CE marking is a self-certification process. It involves an evaluation of the product or equipment either by risk assessment or against a relevant standard.
If you need help with understanding the process to achieving CE marking, Invest Northern Ireland's (NI) technical advisers can offer assistance. Find out about Invest NI's technical advice support or call the Invest NI Helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422.
CE marking seminars
Invest NI periodically delivers CE marking and global technical compliance seminars for Northern Ireland businesses. These seminars can help you determine the CE marking route that is most appropriate, cost-effective and efficient for your products.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/help-ce-marking-northern-ireland
Links
Products that need CE marking
What is CE marking?
CE marking is a record of a product's compliance with EU legislation, and it is mandatory for certain categories of products
CE marking is a declaration of a product's compliance with European Union (EU) legislation. It is a certification mark affixed to certain types of products that declares conformity with the applicable EU health, safety and environmental protection legislation and standards.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
What is CE marking on products?
CE marking is a type of self-certification that shows that:
- the manufacturer has checked that the product meets EU legal requirements
- the product complies with EU legislation
- the product is free to move within the European market
CE marking does not mean the product was made in the European Economic Area (EEA). It simply asserts that the product can be legally sold within the EEA market.
CE mark logo
The official CE mark comprises the letters C and E. Their shape is based on a series of circles, with exact spacing between the letters.
Find example CE marking logos on the Europa website.
The mark should be affixed to the product. If this is not possible, it should be included on the packaging or accompanying documents.
What needs to be CE marked?
CE marking is mandatory for many types of products, such as electronics, toys, machinery, medical devices and vehicles, as well as many construction goods.
Not all products need to bear CE marking. Only those products for which EU product specifications exist must comply with the CE marking requirements.
If your product requires CE marking but doesn't conform to the relevant standards, you cannot sell it legally in the EEA countries. If your product doesn't require CE marking, it shouldn't carry the CE mark.
See more on products that need CE marking.
Who is responsible for CE marking?
If you are a manufacturer it is your responsibility to:
- carry out the conformity assessment
- set up the technical file
- issue the EC Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
- place CE marking on a product
If you are a distributor you must check the presence of both the CE marking and the necessary supporting documentation.
If you are importing a product that is from a third country you have to check that the manufacturer outside the EU has undertaken the necessary steps. You must check that the documentation is available.
Find out how to place CE marking on a product.
HelpAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/what-ce-marking
Links
Products that need CE marking
What products need to be CE marked before you can trade them freely in the EU, which European product directives apply, and when is CE marking required
Not all products sold in the European Union (EU) need to bear CE marking. CE marking is only mandatory for those products that fall under the scope of one or more of the European Commission product directives, known as the 'New Approach Directives'.
These directives define essential requirements related to health, safety and environmental issues that the products must meet in order to be placed on the European market.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
What products need CE marking?
CE marking applies to the following product groups:
- active implantable medical devices
- appliances burning gaseous fuels
- cableway installations designed to carry persons
- construction products
- eco-design of energy-related products
- electromagnetic compatibility
- equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
- explosives for civil uses
- hot-water boilers
- household refrigerators and freezers
- in vitro diagnostic medical devices
- lifts
- low voltage
- machinery
- measuring instruments
- medical devices
- noise emission in the environment
- non-automatic weighing instruments
- personal protective equipment
- pressure equipment
- pyrotechnics
- radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment
- recreational craft
- restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
- safety of toys
- simple pressure vessels
CE marking does not apply to items such as:
- chemicals
- pharmaceuticals, including cosmetics
- foodstuffs
Read more about product groups that are subject to CE marking legislation.
Directives that apply to your product
Over 20 directives exist for the different product categories requiring CE marking. Some products may fall under more than one EU directive or regulation.
See a summary list of EU product legislation.
Where EU directives or standards apply to your product, you must ensure it conforms to the specified essential requirements before you can trade your product freely in the EU market. Check the requirements for your product on the Access2Markets portal.
CE marking process
Before you place a CE mark on your product, you must determine exactly which directives apply and ensure that your product complies with the essential requirements of all applicable EU legislation. See how to place CE marking on a product.
HelpAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/products-need-ce-marking
Links
How to place CE marking on a product
Steps you must follow to affix CE marking to your product, including conformity assessment, technical files and EU Declaration of Conformity>
Before you place a CE marking on your product, you need to establish which EU New Approach Directives apply to it. You must not attach a CE marking to a product outside the scope of the directives.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
How do you get CE certification?
The process you follow depends on the directives that apply to your product. Typically, there are six specific steps to CE marking compliance.
Step 1: Identify applicable directive(s) and standards
Different directives and standards may apply to your product. These are harmonised at European Union (EU) level and lay down the essential requirements (eg on safety) that your product has to fulfil. The CE marking process you must follow depends on which EU directives apply to your product.
Not all products require CE marking. Only products that fall under one or more of the European product directives are subject to CE marking rules. See products that need CE marking.
Step 2: Check the essential requirements for your product
Each directive outlines what the EU legally requires in order for your product to be compliant. It is up to you to ensure that your product conforms to the requirements. The directives don't tell you how you must achieve this. You can use harmonised standards (if they exist for your product) or choose other ways to fulfil the requirements set out in the directives.
STEP 3: Check if your product needs a third-party conformity assessment
Some directives require that an authorised third party, known as a notified body, tests and certifies your product in order to ensure conformity with the requirements. This conformity assessment procedure is not compulsory for all products. However, if you find that you need a notified body, use NANDO database to search by country and by directive.
UK conformity assessment bodies can no longer carry out mandatory conformity assessment for products being placed on the EU market.
STEP 4: Test the product and check its conformity
Where it is not necessary to involve a notified body, you must rely on your own facilities to access your product's conformity. The directives outline which conformity assessments procedures - also known as modules - you can undertake.
STEP 5: Create and maintain technical documentation
All CE marking directives require manufacturers to create and make available technical documentation (ie a technical file) that shows the product's conformity to the requirements of the applicable directive. The kind of information that you have to keep, and the period you have to maintain it for, varies with directives and regulations. Examples of what is required may include a general description of the product, detailed drawings, a list of standards that apply, a copy of the risk assessment, copies of technical reports, instructions, the manufacturer's declaration, etc.
STEP 6: Sign the EU Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE mark
The final steps in the CE marking process include affixing the mark to your product and signing a Declaration of Conformity. The declaration acknowledges that the manufacturer is solely responsible for the compliance of their product with all applicable CE marking directives. See an example EU Declaration of Conformity.
The manufacturer (or their authorised representative within the EEA or Turkey) must affix the CE mark according to specific rules. Only after the mark is properly affixed, your product will be ready for the market. Find rules on using the CE marking.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/how-place-ce-marking-product
Links
Rules on using the CE marking
How to affix CE marking on your product and follow the rules for reproducing the CE marking logo
By placing the CE marking on your product, you are declaring that your product complies with all applicable European Union (EU) directives. You should only place the CE mark on your product if:
- it is subject to one or more of the directives
- it conforms to the essential requirements of the directive(s)
You must not affix CE marking to products that are out of scope of the EU directives. Find out what products need CE marking.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
Who is responsible for CE marking?
Only the manufacturer, or their authorised representative, must affix the CE marking. The manufacturer may be established inside or outside the EU, while the authorised representative must be established with the EU.
When attaching the CE marking, the manufacturer ultimately takes full responsibility for their product's conformity with the requirements of ALL relevant EU directives.
If an importer or a distributor place a product on the market under their own name or trade mark, or modify the product, they then take over the manufacturer's responsibilities. This includes the responsibility for the conformity of the product and the affixing of the CE mark.
Affixing the CE marking
You must affix the CE marking to the product before you place it on the market. This typically takes place at the end of the production phase. If you affix the CE mark by stamping or casting, you can add it at any stage of production if you have verified the conformity of the product.
As a rule, you should affix the CE marking to the product or its data plate. In certain circumstances, you can place it instead on the packaging, in manuals and other supporting literature.
If a notified body is involved in the production phase of the product, the notified body's identification number must follow the CE marking. Bear in mind that UK conformity assessment bodies can no longer carry out mandatory conformity assessment for products being placed on the EU market.
CE marking logo requirements
Depending on the particulars of the directive that applies to your product, you must make sure that the CE marking:
- consist of the initials 'CE' in the standard, recognisable form
- is legible and at least 5mm in height (unless specified differently in the directive)
- remains proportional to the original, if you reduce or enlarge the size of your mark
- is easily visible, readable and permanent
Find example CE marking logos on the Europa website.
You must not cover up CE marking with other markings affixed to the product, or use any marks to misconstrue the meaning or form of the CE marking to third parties.
Rules covering the use of the CE marking may vary depending on the specific EU directive that applies to the product.
You can find comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules in the so-called Blue Guide.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/rules-using-ce-marking
Links
CE marking enforcement and documentation
Information on CE marking documentation and enforcement, including who is responsible and what are potential penalties for misuse of CE marking
A number of organisations enforce CE marking legislation. Enforcement is important to prevent misuse of the CE marking and ensure product safety standards.
CE marking enforcement
Nominated public authorities (Market Surveillance Authorities) are responsible for enforcement - or market surveillance - in each European Economic Area member state. The authorities and processes vary depending on the directives applicable to your product.
The following bodies, amongst others, are responsible for CE marking enforcement in the UK:
- Trading Standards Services
- the Health and Safety Executive
- the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
- the National Measurement Office
If an enforcement body finds that your product does not meet CE marking requirements, they may give you an opportunity to ensure it is correctly CE marked. If you fail to comply with this, you will have to take your product off the market. You may also be liable for a fine and imprisonment.
In Northern Ireland (NI), CE marking continues to be used to show goods meet EU rules after 1 January 2021. Further information is available for:
CE marking documentation requirement
You must keep certain documentation once you place the CE marking on your product. The Market Surveillance Authorities can ask for this information at any time to check that you have legitimately affixed CE marking to a product.
See how to place CE marking on a product.
The information you must keep will vary depending on the specific directives relevant to your product. However, you must keep general records of:
- how the product is manufactured
- how the product conforms to the relevant national standards
- addresses of manufacture and storage places
- design and manufacture of the product
- which directives apply to the product and how you have met their requirements
- European Community type-examination certificates - if applicable
You should keep the information in a technical file, which you can give to the enforcement authority if they request it.
You can find comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules in the so-called Blue Guide.
The manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
The DoC is a document which may be required to accompany a product and in which the manufacturer, or his authorised representative within the European Economic Area, indicates that the product meets all the necessary requirements of the directives applicable to the specific product.
The DoC also contains:
- the name and address of the manufacturer
- the information about the product, such as brand and serial number
The DoC must be signed by an individual working for the manufacturer or an authorised representative, and the employee's function must also be indicated. Download a sample EU Declaration of Conformity (DOC, 27K).
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/ce-marking-enforcement-and-documentation
Links
Help with CE marking in Northern Ireland
CE marking and global technical compliance seminars for businesses in Northern Ireland
For the majority of businesses, CE marking is a self-certification process. It involves an evaluation of the product or equipment either by risk assessment or against a relevant standard.
If you need help with understanding the process to achieving CE marking, Invest Northern Ireland's (NI) technical advisers can offer assistance. Find out about Invest NI's technical advice support or call the Invest NI Helpline on Tel 0800 181 4422.
CE marking seminars
Invest NI periodically delivers CE marking and global technical compliance seminars for Northern Ireland businesses. These seminars can help you determine the CE marking route that is most appropriate, cost-effective and efficient for your products.
HelpActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/help-ce-marking-northern-ireland
Links