CE marking and the reality of SMEs

The CE marking of unique and made to measure products of low value (i.e. less than 50.000 euros) is uneconomic and does not contribute to consumer safety since the unique products are ordered on an already existing trust basis of proximity and personal contact. Thus the CE marking of these unique, made to measure products should not be compulsory, declaration of conformity by the manufacturer should suffice.
Simplified procedures for CE marking for small series production should be guaranteed through the accreditation and conformity assessment systems established under EU legislation. Public procurement should operate under these SME friendly rules.
The balanced representation of SME collective organizations in standardization technical committees and their right to vote in technical committees should be guaranteed by European Legislation on the standardization system.
Simplicity of standards written with the "Think Small First" principle should also be established in the European Legislation on the standardization system. Simplification manuals and training of SME standardization experts should be provided through European and National coordinated actions with sufficient funding