# What 'Harmonised Standard' Actually Means

Every CE marking guide tells you to use harmonised standards. Almost none
explain what makes a standard harmonised, what the legal effect is, or
how to find the current list. This short closes that gap.


## Transcript

### The knowledge gap

Every CE marking guide tells you to use harmonised standards. Almost none of them explain what a harmonised standard actually is, what the legal effect of using one is, or how you find the current list. Let's fix that.

### What makes a standard harmonised

A harmonised standard is an EN standard published by CEN, CENELEC, or ETSI and referenced by the Commission in the Official Journal under a directive. That OJ reference grants its legal status — an IEC or ISO version carries no presumption.

### Why it matters in practice

A harmonised standard gives presumption of conformity — the burden shifts to the regulator to prove you applied it wrong. Find your directive's standards on EUR-Lex by directive number, and check the OJ citation date — withdrawn entries carry no presumption.

Tags: harmonised standards, CE marking, EU directives, compliance, standards