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# How to Choose a CE Test Laboratory

Not all test labs are equal — and not all labs that market CE testing have the right accreditation for your product. Choosing the wrong lab, or misunderstanding what a quote covers, can add months and thousands to your certification timeline.

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## Accreditation requirements to verify

### ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation

The foundational accreditation for testing and calibration laboratories. Required for RED testing. Verify the scope of accreditation covers the specific tests your product needs — not just that the lab has ISO 17025 in general.

### ILAC MRA membership

For RED, the lab must be accredited by a national accreditation body that is a signatory to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). In Europe, this means UKAS, DAkkS, COFRAC, RvA, DANAK, etc.

### Notified Body status (if required)

For products requiring Notified Body involvement (Annex IV machinery, certain medical devices), the lab or an associated entity must be a designated Notified Body for the applicable directive. Check the NANDO database.

### Scope coverage

Verify the lab's ISO 17025 accreditation scope explicitly covers the test methods you need. A lab may be accredited for EMC emissions but not immunity. Ask for the accreditation certificate and scope document.

## Questions to ask a prospective lab

01

Is your accreditation scope current and does it cover EN 300 328, EN 55032, EN 62368-1 (or whatever standards apply)?

02

What are your current lead times for \[our product type\]?

03

Do you have experience with products similar to ours? Can you share typical test durations?

04

What sample preparation do you require and what do we need to bring to the lab?

05

What happens if a test fails — what is the re-test process and cost?

06

Can you provide a fixed-price quote that covers the full scope of testing, or is it time-and-materials?

07

Who is our point of contact throughout the project and how will we receive updates?

## Red flags when evaluating a lab

*   Lab claims to offer CE 'certification' — CE marking is self-declared, not certificated by a lab. Labs provide test reports, not CE certificates.
*   Accreditation scope does not cover the specific standards or test methods needed for your product
*   Unusually low quotes that don't reflect the actual test time required for your product complexity
*   No clear communication about lead times, test plan, or project management process
*   Lab cannot provide sample accreditation certificates or scope documentation on request
*   Promises of guaranteed pass outcomes before testing begins
*   No process described for handling test failures or re-tests

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I have to use a lab in the EU for CE marking?

For most CE directives, you can use any accredited laboratory globally, provided it holds ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from an ILAC MRA signatory body and the scope covers your specific tests. However, for some product categories, national authorities may request proximity or access to the physical laboratory and samples during market surveillance — using a reputable European lab reduces friction.

### What is the difference between a test lab and a Notified Body?

A test laboratory performs testing and issues test reports. A Notified Body is a legal body designated by an EU member state to perform conformity assessment under specific CE directives — including issuing EU-type examination certificates. Many Notified Bodies have in-house test laboratories, but not all test labs are Notified Bodies. Only Notified Bodies can perform Module B conformity assessment.

### Should I use the same lab for pre-compliance and formal testing?

Not necessarily. Pre-compliance labs are typically lower cost and faster, making them ideal for catching design issues early. Formal testing must be with an accredited lab. Using a different pre-compliance lab for iterative testing and a formal lab for final certification is a common and cost-effective approach.

**Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Not legal advice. Always verify lab accreditation directly with the issuing national accreditation body before committing to a testing engagement.

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