Distinction between certification and CE
The common term “CE certification” is actually wrong. Let's try to get rid of this misunderstanding once and for all.
Inspection certificate
Legislation in Belgium requires certain equipment, such as hoists, be provided with an inspection certificate (ARAB 280). An inspection certificate or commissioning report is written up by an accredited technical inspection service (EDTC). The report is drawn up on the basis of the inspector's findings and relates to the device inspected. This inspector is not limited to checking the accompanying documents and/or carrying out a visual inspection, a series of practical tests may also be required. Once the inspection has been completed, the inspector prepares a report based on his findings. A positive investigation determines whether the equipment can be used (further). Otherwise, it may not be put into service. If the report is negative, the equipment may no longer be used.
An inspection must be carried out before the equipment is used for the first time, and periodically every 3 months thereafter. In the past, these were also called commissioning reports. Today, some inspection authorities are using this terminology less and less, and prefer to talk about advice before commissioning.
CE certification
A CE certificate is a document issued by the manufacturer with new equipment. This certificate is used by the manufacturer to declare that the supplied equipment conforms to the standards drawn up by the European Community. By delivering this CE Declaration of Conformity with the equipment, the manufacturer assumes all responsibility for any defect due to a manufacturing or material defect. Any hoist sold within the European Community must bear a CE mark, CE declaration of conformity, and a manual in all the languages of the region. So in our case Dutch, French or German.
Make no mistake! An inspection before commissioning is always at the expense of the user and not the seller. It is therefore not correct to assume that a hoist with a CE marking has been inspected! In Belgium, no hoist may be put into service without a commissioning report. You must contact an EDTC yourself to have an examination carried out. But who wants to wait for such an inspection if you need to use the tools immediately? This is why SKP always organises the inspection itself, because this is how our products can be used immediately.