Electrical appliances

Markings and instructions for electrical appliances

Traceability requirements

Traceability means the ability to trace the history of a product. From the legislator’s perspective, traceability is important, because it enables effective enforcement through corrective market surveillance measures such as recall and withdrawal. With traceability, dangerous or non-compliant products can be tracked in the distribution chain, and the roles and responsibilities of economic operators can be defined in the chain. Traceability allows market surveillance authorities to trace products to the factory and in some cases, from the factory to end users. Traceability is also important from the manufacturer’s perspective, because it allows effective supervision of the production process and suppliers before the products are placed on the market, as well as supervision of the distribution chain once the products have been placed on the market. In the event of non-compliance, manufacturers may reduce the impact of product recall procedures and withdrawals, depending on how detailed the traceability system is.

1. Traceability information helps the manufacturer supervise the product’s distribution chain.
2. Traceability information helps the manufacturer supervise the production process.
3. Traceability information helps authorities target market surveillance actions at the correct products.

Traceability requirements require manufacturers to affix the type, lot, serial or model number on the electrical product, or another element allowing its identification, or where the size or nature of the product does not allow it, to include the required information on the packaging or in a document accompanying the product.

The manufacturer must also state its 1) name, 2) registered trade name or trademark, and 3) address at which it can be contacted on the electrical product or if this is impossible, on the packaging of the product or in the included documentation. The manufacturer’s information is the same as that contained in the EU declaration of conformity.

The importer of an electrical product must also state its 1) name, 2) registered trade name or trademark, and 3) address at which it can be contacted on the product or if this is impossible, on the packaging of the product or in the included documentation.

Usually, the address details include the street address or post office box, postcode and post office. You are also encouraged to mention the website address in addition to the postal address.

CE marking

The CE marking is marking that affirms that the manufacturer of the electrical product or authorised representative ensures that the appliance is in compliance with all applicable requirements. Products equipped with a CE marking can move freely within the entire EU.

The CE marking must be affixed to the electrical product or its data plate in a visible, easily readable and permanent manner. If this is impossible, it should be affixed to the packaging and any accompanying documents. It must be at least 5 mm in height, and you are not allowed to change its dimensions.

If a notified body is involved in the production control stage, the identification number of the notified body should be added to the end of the CE marking.

Other symbols

In addition to the traceability and CE marking requirements, there are other labelling requirements in several legal provisions. Markings from legal provisions include:

• Energy marking of products related to energy
• Separate collection label
• Symbols indicating heavy metal content on accumulators and batteries (Pb, Cd, or Hg).
• Battery capacity markings

Markings limiting the use of the appliance also include:

• Age or size limits
• Restrictions related to operating conditions – for example, information on whether a product is intended for use indoors or outdoors
• The product is intended for professional use only
• Only a qualified electrical engineering professional is allowed to install the appliance
• Due to its EMC properties, the appliance is unsuitable for use in a residential area
• The need to use personal protective equipment

Standards also contain many product-specific labelling requirements. Typically, electrical appliances must bear the following markings:

• rated voltage and frequency
• power
• rated current
• enclosure class (if not IP 20)
• any operating restrictions, such as “must not be covered” or time limits for usage

Instructions

The legislation requires that electrical product must be accompanied with the necessary safety information and instructions for operating it safely and as intended. The safety information and instructions must be provided irrespective of whether the electrical product is intended for consumers or other end users. The information should provide instructions for how to assemble, install, operate, store, maintain and safely dispose of the product. The safety information and instructions must be in Finnish and Swedish. They must be clear and easy to understand.

The assembly or installation instructions must include a list of parts and any required special skills or tools. The user instructions must include information on restrictions on use, the necessary personal protective equipment, maintenance, cleaning and repair. The instructions must also consider any foreseeable misuse of the appliance.

Instead of written explanations, the instructions can use symbols in accordance with international standards. Even though safety information must be provided in paper form, not all instructions need to be provided in paper form. Instead, they can also be provided in an online or other data storage format. However, the paper version should always be available free of charge on request of consumers.

The simplest electrical products do not necessarily contain printed instructions if the safety information and instructions are provided on the appliance or its packaging.

Read more about markings and instructions:

Traceability of products on the Tukes website

CE marking on Tukes website

Product markings on the Tukes website

I Know My Product webinar: Markings and instructions for products

Operating instructions and markings regarding the safe use of products on the Tukes website)

Operating instructions for products – guide (PDF)