On 11 December, the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia hosted a presentation titled “CE Marking Platform.”

The event was part of the project EU support to WB6 CIF for the Development of a Common Regional Marketimplemented by the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum with support from the European Commission.

In his opening remarks, Mihajlo Donev, M.Sc., Project Manager at the Professional Service of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, emphasized that the Western Balkans chambers of commerce, united through the WB6 CIF, are committed to fostering regional integration and building the export capacities of companies aiming to enter the EU Single Market. These efforts are integrated into the ECNM’s activities through the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum and the Private Sector Regional Integration Support Activity (PSRISA), carried out in partnership with USAID, which stimulate Macedonian export operations. The digital platform for CE marking presented at the event offers a regional approach to streamline company access to data, enabling easier compliance with EU directives—an essential element for selling products on the EU market. The EU Single Market mandates that all products sold must meet strict directives on mechanical resistance and stability, fire safety, hygiene, health and environmental conditions, occupational safety, noise protection, energy efficiency, and other standards. The CE Marking Platform efficiently guides companies through the required processes, said Donev.

Natalija Jovičić Zarić, an expert from Simplify Outsourcing DOO, Belgrade, with over 30 years of experience in quality systems, conformity assessments, accreditation, and standardization, elaborated further. She highlighted her significant expertise in the New Approach and Global Approach directives, which govern the free movement of goods, product safety, and CE marking.

“CE marking on a product confirms compliance with the essential requirements of EU directives and standards,” stated Jovičić Zarić. She explained that the platform is designed to save time and effort in understanding complex EU regulations, allowing businesses to focus on the most important goals - growth and development.

The platform, structured as a set of questionnaires, helps users find relevant information on New Approach directives applicable to their products and services. This simplifies conformity assessment processes and ensures product safety on the market. Such information is important to implement the CE marking in all six Western Balkan markets.

The CE Marking Platform aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the WB6 countries by providing comprehensive, clear, and reliable information and guidance on product compliance with CE marking regulations and rules. This is essential for selling certain product categories on the EU market.

The platform consolidates essential information, documents, and guidelines regarding the requirements and procedures for obtaining CE marking. Additionally, it offers a digital tool enabling SMEs to quickly check whether a product falls under specific EU directives or regulations, providing a preliminary assessment of applicable technical standards.

The platform has multidisciplinary approach and involves experts from all Western Balkan countries and is available in four regional languages—English, Bosnian/Montenegrin/Serbian, Macedonian, and Albanian. It provides consolidated information on CE marking and the directives regulating product placement on the EU market.

“Manufacturers bear full responsibility for ensuring product compliance with directives, even when components come from different sources,” Jovičić Zarić noted, stressing the importance of thorough technical documentation accompanying each product.

The platform also offers consultative reports on directive applicability, along with links to relevant regulations, harmonized standards, and competent authorities.

Jovičić Zarić emphasized that CE marking applies not only to new products but also to used items imported into the EU and significantly modified products classified as new.

“Any manufacturer, whether based within or outside the EU, can affix CE marking to their product but must follow the appropriate conformity assessment procedure,” she explained, underlining the manufacturer’s responsibility throughout the process.

She added that the platform simplifies identifying applicable directives and selecting suitable conformity assessment procedures. These include product design, manufacturing, and preparing technical documentation detailing construction, production processes, and safe usage.

“This project represents a critical step toward enhancing the competitiveness of regional economies and facilitating product sales on the demanding EU market,” Jovičić Zarić concluded.

The platform presented at the event will continue to evolve and be updated in the coming months to enhance its content. Starting next year, it will be accessible to all businesses through the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia’s website.