CE mark. Free market or dangerous market?

The unsuspecting public in the European Economic Community (EEC) is largely unaware that, during the past months, there has been high-level activity within the Community concerning the removal of what the European Commission (EC) sees as technical trade barriers. These barriers are to be removed for a range of products, including electric cables, by the proposed implementation of a mandatory CE Mark. This Mark will signify that any product to which it is applied conforms to the essential requirements of the appropriate EC directive and may cross EEC national boundaries without hindrance. In the case of cables, this is the Low Voltage Directive. The proposed change may, however, have profound negative repercussions, not only on EEC jobs but also on safety.