Does this shipment match the existing CE documentation?
Options, replacement components or a new model may leave drawings, instructions and reports out of date. Captain International starts with the version intended for shipment and its intended use, then helps identify applicable CE requirements, technical documentation and assessment work requiring confirmation.
Who this service is for
Manufacturers, brand owners and exporters placing machinery, electrical equipment or related products on the EU market, and R&D, quality or sales teams managing new models, design changes or customer requests.
Core CE requirements
CE marking applies to products covered by specific EU product legislation. Manufacturers must identify all applicable requirements, prepare supporting evidence and a declaration of conformity, and mark the product as required. Whether a notified body is needed depends on the applicable legislation and assessment route; third-party certification is not required for every product. See the European Commission's CE guidance.
For machinery, the European Commission states that Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 becomes mandatory on January 20, 2027. Machinery placed on the market before then remains subject to Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Plan assessments around the intended market-placement date during the transition. See the European Commission machinery information.
Documents to prepare
Organize information in three groups: how the equipment is used (specifications, photos, intended use and operating instructions); how the design addresses risk (drawings, key components, risk assessment and test reports); and what is provided externally (nameplate and declarations). For revised products, list changes and document versions. Detailed requirements depend on product legislation.
Possible project deliverables
Applicable-requirements summary, technical-file index, gap and improvement tracker, testing-submission list, and comments on declarations and markings. The appropriate responsible party retains responsibility for signing declarations and for the manufacturer's obligations.
Frequently asked questions
Is one CE certificate enough to ship?
Check whether it belongs to the required assessment route and covers the product model and scope. A voluntary certificate does not automatically replace statutory procedures, technical documentation or the manufacturer's conformity responsibilities. See the European Commission's CE guidance.
Must everything be repeated after a component change?
Assess effects on safety, performance and existing evidence first, then determine the scope of document updates, additional testing or procedure changes. Provide before-and-after models, specifications and replacement details.
Does this include medical devices or personal protective equipment?
These products require review of their specific legislation and classification before the work scope is confirmed. General machinery templates are not a complete compliance plan for every product type.
Next step
Provide the intended use, destination market, planned market-placement date and current document list to define the work scope.