1) Introduction – why so many misunderstandings?

The CE marking of door systems is a perennial topic in specialist circles – and unfortunately also a constant source of misunderstanding. Many developers, planners, and operators think it is a kind of voluntary “quality seal.” Others see it as Just bureaucracy with no added value. The fact is: CE marking is mandatory.

For manufacturers, this means: No door may be placed on the market without the CE marking. For installers, it means: Anyone who combines components such as gate leaves and drives becomes the manufacturer of the entire system – and thus contributes Responsibility for CE conformity. Finally, operators are required to use only CE-marked doors. Otherwise, liability risks and insurance problems may arise.

2) What does CE marking mean?

The abbreviation “CE” stands for “Conformité Européenne” – “European Conformity.” It signals that a product complies with applicable EU directives. For gate systems, this primarily concerns:

• Safety requirements: Protection against crushing, shearing, falls, uncontrolled movements.
• Health requirements: no pollutants, no hazardous substances in surfaces or seals.
• Operational safety: reliable function even under adverse conditions.

The CE marking is therefore not a “seal of quality” but a legal minimum criterion . uniform standards across Europe and is the basis for products to be traded freely within the EU.

3) Legal basis & standards

When it comes to gate systems, various laws and standards interact:

• EU Construction Products Regulation (305/2011): Defines the requirements for construction products, which also include gates.
• Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC): Relevant for all power-operated doors – i.e. almost all modern garage doors and industrial doors.
• EN 13241: Product standard for gates, regulates safety and performance requirements.
• EN 12453: Specifies safety requirements during door operation (e.g. closing forces).
• EN 12604 & EN 12605: Deal with mechanical aspects such as durability and resilience.

For specialist companies, this means they must know and apply all of these standards. For customers, it means only a CE-marked door complies with these standards.

4) Compulsory or optional?

CE marking is mandatory in the EU. Without it, a door may not be placed on the market or installed. Anyone who thinks that the marking is optional is seriously mistaken. Even for the smallest sectional garage doors, the following applies: No sale without the CE mark, no assembly, no use.

The CE marking is also an integral part of sectional garage doors , which are usually sold as a complete package with a drive. The same applies to large industrial doors and loading technology .

5) Who is responsible?

The responsibility for the CE marking is clearly regulated – but often misunderstood in practice:

• Manufacturer: Must comply with standards, conduct tests, issue a declaration of conformity and affix the CE mark.
• Installers/specialist companies: Legally, they become manufacturers themselves when they combine a door and operator. They must ensure overall compliance.
• Operators/customers: May only use CE-marked products. Failure to do so risks fines and insurance exclusions.

6) Process of a CE declaration of conformity

The CE marking is created in several steps:

1. Identification of relevant standards (e.g. EN 13241, EN 12453).
2. Carrying out tests such as force measurements on the closing edge.
3. Creation of technical documentation.
4. Issuing a declaration of conformity.
5. Affix the CE mark clearly visible on the product.

This process is mandatory and cannot be circumvented. Even the smallest deviations can lead to liability issues in an emergency.

7) Consequences of missing CE marking

The risks are enormous if a door is operated without CE marking:

• Legal: Fines, sales bans, recalls.
• Insurance: Many insurance companies refuse to pay for damage caused by doors that do not have the CE marking.
• Safety: Increased risk of accidents due to inadequately tested systems.
• Image: Lack of labeling damages the company’s reputation.

8) Practical examples & typical mistakes

In our daily work at Tormeister24, we see common errors related to CE:

• Installation of a new drive without renewed overall conformity.
• Combination of gate and control system from different manufacturers without testing.
• Cheap imports without CE marking.
• Lack of documentation in operation.

9) Advantages of a clean CE marking

The CE marking is not a burden, but an opportunity:

• Safety: tested products, fewer accidents.
• Legal certainty: no problems with authorities or insurance companies.
• Trust: Customers recognize quality immediately.
• Market advantage: Specialist companies with CE expertise are more in demand.

10) Purchase advice for customers

Customers can identify CE-certified doors by the following points:

• CE mark visible on the gate or operator.
• Submission of the declaration of conformity by the dealer.
• Product documentation with standards information.
• Buy from reputable retailers like Tormeister24 .

11) Obligations for specialist companies and fitters

Installers who combine a door with a drive are legally considered manufacturers of the entire system. They must therefore:

• Check that all components are CE compliant.
• Ensure overall compliance.
• Create a new declaration of conformity.
• Affix the CE mark.

Many installers underestimate this duty – but in an emergency, the final installer bears the responsibility.

12) Special features of industrial doors and loading technology

Particularly strict requirements apply to industrial doors and loading equipment, as high forces are exerted and many people work in the area of ​​the doors. Controls for loading ramps or Radar motion detectors must be included in the CE assessment.

13) Special features of sectional garage doors

For sectional garage doors, the CE marking applies not only to the door leaf, but also the drive, the safety devices (e.g. light barriers) and the overall system. Customers should always request the declaration of conformity.

14) Integration of drives & controls

Many specialist companies are retrofitting drives – for example, modern smart home modules or radio receiver. The CE conformity of the entire system must be verified. It is not sufficient for the individual components to be CE-marked.

15) Connection between CE and safety technology

Without safety devices such as light barriers , Light grid or Optosensors CE conformity is not possible. These systems are an integral part of the testing.

16) Testing & Documentation

CE marking always includes documentation:

• Technical documents.
• Measurement reports (e.g. force measurement on the closing edge).
• Risk assessment.
• Declaration of conformity.

Customers should request these documents – specialist companies must keep them.

17) Insurance & Liability

If damage occurs due to a door that does not have the CE marking, many insurance companies will refuse to pay out. In the worst case, the operator is personally liable. For specialized companies, this means that due diligence is a must, otherwise liability claims may arise.

18) Future of CE marking

With the advance of digitalization, the CE marking is becoming increasingly digitalized. QR codes on gates could soon lead directly to declarations of conformity and technical documents. Closer integration with smart home systems and IoT is also conceivable – for transparent, verifiable security at any time.

19) Internal links to relevant categories

• Sectional garage doors
• Industrial gate controls
• Control systems for loading technology
• Light barriers