CE marking for gas appliances done! With easyCE expert support.

It replaced Directive 2009/142/EC and has applied since 21 April 2018. Other legislation may also apply to a product, including relevant electrical, electromagnetic compatibility or ecodesign requirements. The GAR does not automatically demonstrate compliance with those separate requirements.

For the GAR, gaseous fuel means fuel that is gaseous at 15°C and an absolute pressure of 1 bar. Fittings include safety, controlling and regulating devices and their subassemblies intended for incorporation into, or assembly into, an appliance.

Manufacturers are responsible for the design, assessment and declaration of conformity. Importers and distributors have their own verification and supply-chain obligations; they do not automatically have identical duties. An importer or distributor can take on manufacturer obligations by supplying a product under its own name or making a modification that may affect conformity.

A used appliance imported from outside the EU for the first time must be considered separately from one already lawfully placed on the EU market. The regulation does not require every existing appliance to undergo a new assessment simply because it changes hands.

• Annex I: essential requirements for appliances and fittings.
• Annex II: Member States’ communications on gas supply conditions.
• Annex III: conformity assessment procedures for appliances and fittings.
• Annex IV: inscriptions that accompany the marking requirements.
• Annex V: the model EU declaration of conformity.

The main exclusions concern appliances specifically designed for industrial processes carried out on industrial premises, appliances for use on aircraft and railways, and appliances specifically designed for research purposes for temporary use in laboratories. These are defined exclusions, not blanket exemptions for all industrial or research equipment.

• Forced-draught burners and heating bodies designed to be fitted with them.
• Camping appliances that burn gaseous fuel for a purpose covered by the regulation.
• Safety, controlling and regulating devices intended for incorporation into a gas appliance.

Fuel type alone does not settle the question. For unusual products or new fuel applications, assess the GAR definitions, intended use, supply conditions and any other applicable legislation.

Appliances and fittings complying with the former directive and placed on the market before 21 April 2018 benefit from the regulation’s transitional provision. It is therefore incorrect to say that every earlier product or document became invalid on that date.

GAR EU type-examination certificates have a maximum validity of ten years from issue. Product changes or developments in the state of the art may require review before expiry. Manufacturers must inform the notified body of changes that may affect conformity or the certificate’s validity.

The manufacturer can use another technical solution but must demonstrate that it meets the applicable requirements. The technical documentation should identify the standards or specifications used, any partial application and the evidence supporting the design. The product’s intended gas family, gas group and supply pressures also need to be addressed.

• For series production, EU type-examination under Module B is combined with Module C2, D, E or F.
• For a single unit or small quantities, unit verification under Module G is an alternative.
• Both appliances and fittings within scope require CE marking. The notified body’s identification number accompanies it where that body is involved in production control.

The manufacturer remains responsible for conformity. easyCE supports the assessment preparation and documentation; we do not replace the notified body or issue its certificate.

• A general description of the appliance or fitting.
• Design and manufacturing drawings, component and circuit diagrams, and explanations of their operation.
• Applicable requirements and the harmonised standards or other technical specifications used.
• Design calculations, examination results and test reports.
• Installation and operating instructions for the appliance.
• For fittings, the EU declaration of conformity and instructions for incorporation or assembly.

For EU type-examination, the notified body examines the technical design and the representative product specimen. Keep the technical documentation and EU declaration of conformity for ten years after the appliance or fitting is placed on the market.

Relevant issues include gas leakage, ignition, combustion products, hot surfaces, control-system faults, installation conditions and maintenance. First eliminate or reduce risks through design, then apply necessary protective measures and provide information about remaining risks. Warnings are not a substitute for an adequate technical solution.

easyCE helps connect each identified hazard to the applicable requirement, protective measure and verification evidence, so the assessment supports both the product design and its technical documentation.