Public Notice | Single-axis hinges
Are you an economic operator placing or making available on the market single-axis hinges?
Do they carry the CE mark?
It all depends on the intended use. If the intended use of the hinge is as a construction product, which according to the Construction Products Regulation means that its use is for incorporation in a permanent manner in construction works or parts thereof, then the hinge should carry the CE mark. According to the same regulation, construction works means buildings and civil engineering works. Example of such use is on access doors and windows in buildings. The CE mark, which is affixed by the manufacturer before placed on the market, can be found either on the hinge itself or else to a label attached to it, to the packaging or to the accompanying documents. Such accompanying documents include installation instructions and safety information. Besides the CE mark, a serial or batch number as means of identification must also be present along with the manufacturer and importer details including their contact information. For all CE-marked construction products, the manufacturer should have drawn up a Declaration of Performance (in line with the Construction Products Regulation) and economic operators must ensure that this documentation has been made available to them and eventually made available to the Market Surveillance Directorate upon request.
However, if the hinge does not carry the CE mark then the intended use is not as a construction product and is not to be marketed as such. Instead it can be used in other applications such as to assemble furniture components. Therefore, with no CE mark present the hinge is not to be incorporated in a permanent manner in construction works or parts thereof.
Are you a consumer of single-axis hinges?
If the answer is yes and you intend to use a single-axis hinge as a construction product, then kindly ensure that the product you purchase is CE-marked. The CE mark should be easily visible on the product itself, or on a label attached to it, to the packaging or to the accompanying documents.