Honest CE-approved cables feature a CE-marking on the cable sheet. They are engineered to conform to the Conformité Européenne (CE) safety standards, with every cable having a unique construction, according to the intended electrical application requirement.
Our top-selling CE-approved cables include PNCT Cable, H05VV-F Cable, H07VVH6-F Cable, LiYCY Cable, NYY Cable, H05RR-F, and H07RN-F Cable. The rated voltage varies from 50 to 1500 volts and the maximum rated temperature up to +105°C, depending on the cable insulation and sheath material.
At Honest, all cables are tested according to the RoHS – EU 2015/863, low voltage directive (LVD) (2014/35/EU), construction products regulation (CPR) EU 305/2011, EN 50575, and EN 50363.
The cable construction depends on where you intend to use Honest CE-approved cables. We have both copper and aluminum conductors, which are either solid or stranded. For the insulation, both for cable jacket and cable sheet, Honest offers many material options from PVC to high-performance rubber.
For every Honest cable with CE-marking, we conduct in-house quality testing while working with third-party testing laboratories.
Order your CE-approved cable samples today, for competitive prices, flexible MOQ and quality guaranteed – Get our price list.
CE Approved Cable Buyer Guide: Standards, Types, and Purchase Tips
In today’s cable procurement business, the attention being focused on the approved cables meeting the CE regulations is increasing, given the relevance of such cables to the EU safety and fire requirements for the product. The main reason for the preparation of this article is to enlighten the buyer on the selection criteria for the CE-certified cables so that you are better equipped during the purchase process.
What is a CE-Approved Cable?
What the CE Mark Means for Cables
The CE mark is not a certificate, but a symbol of conformity to ensure that the product complies with the relevant EU regulations concerning safety, as well as the aspect of fire protection. For cables, the CE marking is mandatory if they are to be sold into the EU market, in particular cables for fixed wiring in buildings.
CPR and Fire Safety Considerations
Apart from having CE Marking, most of these cables must also comply with CPR (Construction Products Regulations), which are basically fire safety standards. There are fire safety ratings, which range from Aca to Fca, depending on the type of cable. You must be aware of such usage conditions when selecting such cables to avoid any inconveniences.
CE Certification Standards for Cables
European Standards
Certification of cables under the CE generally involves the following standards:
- EN 50575: Core CE/CPR standard for fixed installation cables
- EN 13501-6: Standard for the classification of combustion performance of building products
- EN 50525 Series: Specification for low voltage cables
The standards will help you decide whether a cable is good enough to meet the limits of EU regulations.
Compliance Documents to Check
When purchasing CE cables, complete compliance documentation should be obtained from the supplier:
- DoP (Declaration of Performance)
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Test Reports
- Manufacturer information
These documents prove that the cable complies with CE requirements and also facilitate your project acceptance.
Common CE-Approved Cable Types
Cable Types by Use
Power Cables
These cables are used for fixed supply lines and are usually found in building power distribution, industrial switchboards, or underground laying. As long as they form a fixed installation in a building, most of them need to be CE and CPR compliant, with most interest in voltage rating, conductor cross-section, and fire rating.
Control Cables
Control cables are used for the transfer of control signals and commands and are applied in automated production lines, control cabinets, and mechanical systems. Despite the fact that the voltage level is not high, conformity with the CE standard is necessary in the EU undertaking, particularly in fixed installations.
Signal and Data Cables
These cables are used for weak systems like communication, monitoring, and sensor lines. Whether CPR is required depends on its inclusion in building-fixed wiring. However, many projects still require CE and related test documentation.
Fiber Optic Cables
Fiber optic cables are naturally non-conductive but can be treated by CPR when installed in a fixed building, which refers to the jacket material and fire ratings and not the transmission performance.
Cable Types by Structure and Materials
Conductor Structure
- Single-core: found in distribution systems or conduit laying
- Multi-core: found in control, power, and equipment connections
Insulation and Sheath
- PVC: common, cost-controlled, mostly used for indoor fixed wiring
- Rubber: more flexible, can be found in mobile equipment or industrial sites
- LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen): more common in public buildings, crowded areas
CE Certified Cable Models
The following models are more often present in EU projects:
H05VV-F Cable
Lightweight flexible cable in multi-core PVC construction, often seen in indoor electrical connections and fixed wiring.
H07VVH6-F Cable 
Higher voltage rating compared to the H05 series, for use in the interior of industrial equipment or in low-voltage supply lines.
LiYCY Cable
Shielded control cable for automation systems and signal transmission, usually inside control cabinets or between devices.
NYY Cable
Power cables for fixed installations, for indoor, underground, or conduit laying, are very popular in building distribution projects.
H05RR-F
Rubber sheathed flexible cable, primarily used for light mobile equipment or appliance connections.
H07RN-F Cable
Industrial-grade rubberized cable with a stronger construction, used more frequently on construction sites, in industrial equipment, and in outdoor environments.
NSHTOU
Low-smoke, halogen-free industrial cable, often requested by project owners for use in tunnels, subways, or public facilities.
PNCT Cable
Cables for control and instrumentation with multi-core construction, usually found in industrial automation and equipment control systems.
How to Verify a CE-Approved Cable
Check Mark and Labeling
Begin by looking at the labeling information on the cable body or packaging.
Compliant CE cables are usually labeled:
- CE mark
- Product model number
- Manufacturer’s name or code
- Applicable standard (e.g., EN 50575)
If there is only a simple “CE” printing without any other information, the credibility is usually not high.
Verify Compliance Documents
Once you have the documents, you still need to see if they actually correspond to the model you want to buy.
First of all, check the DoP.
The DoP should clearly state the cable model, applicable standards, and fire rating. If the model is only the name of a large class or is inconsistent with the purchase model, the reference value of such documents is not high.
Then look at the test report.
The report should be able to correspond to a specific structure or series, not a single report covering completely different structures of cables. Careful judgment is also needed if the test conditions differ significantly from the environment in which your project will be used.
Finally, check against the Technical Data Sheet (TDS).
The conductor specifications, insulation materials, and jacket types in the TDS should be consistent with the DoP and the test documents. If the information does not match between the three documents, it often means that the documents were not prepared for that model.
If the supplier is unable to explain these problems, your procurement risk increases significantly.
Purchase Considerations for Buyers
Match Cable Type and Application
Before selecting a model, you need to confirm at least three things:
- Voltage and current range
- Fixed installation or mobile connection
- Indoor, outdoor, or underground environment
These conditions have a direct impact on your choice of model.
Compliance and Fire Safety
Fire ratings are an inextricable factor in EU projects. You need to be clear when sourcing:
- Whether the project explicitly requires a CPR rating
- What is the minimum acceptable fire rating
- Whether a low smoke halogen free jacket is required
Don’t wait until the acceptance stage to find out that the ratings don’t match; these problems are often difficult to remedy.
Supplier Verification
It is important to consider the stability of the supplier, too. These are factors to judge your supplier based upon:
- Whether they have been supplying products for the EU market for a long time
- Whether CE documentation is consistently available for the same model
- Whether the technical communication is clear and direct
A good supplier such as Honest Cable would never ignore such questions.
FAQ
What Is the Difference Between CE-Certified Cables and UL-Certified Cables? Can They Be Replaced by Each Other?
The CE Marking is an entry ticket into the European Market, which ascertains the conformity with the health, safety, and environmental requirements set by the European Parliament. The UL Marking is more popular in North America, which refers to the voluntary safety marking on behalf of the product by the U.S. Underwriters Laboratories test results.
They cannot be substituted for each other, since the target markets are different. And in projects where you want to utilize both, you may want to get the cables from suppliers certified by both.
What Are the Special Requirements For CE-Approved Cables Used in Solar PV Systems?
Photovoltaic cables are exposed outdoors for a long time, facing sunlight, high temperatures, ozone, and other severe tests. Therefore, it must comply with specialized standards such as EN 50618 and have excellent UV, high temperature (usually up to 120°C), and weather aging resistance to ensure decades of stable power generation and safety in solar power plants.
What Are the Grades for Weather Resistance for CE-Certified Cables When Operating in Exterior or Demanding Industrial Conditions?
The oil, chemical, and UV resistant property of CE-certified cables are not stated in general terms but are based on a series of tests done in accordance with strict international standards.
By way of illustration, resistance to oil can be tested in comparison with EN 60811-404, while resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light is evaluated by processes such as EN 60754.
Therefore, you should ask for testing standards when purchasing and acquire the test report of the relevant standard, depending on the environmental conditions (for example, outdoor direct sunlight, chemical factory, or sea coast salt mist), to select the corresponding standard grade.
Does The CE Marking of a Cable Cover Its Whole Lifetime?
CE marking attests that a given model of a product satisfies the EU directives. CE marking is valid as long as that particular model of a product keeps on producing.
The correctness of the above CE validation for the cables you have bought is also dependent on their proper use and installation. Installation with too small a bending radius, overstretching, or use in an environment that exceeds its rated conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity) may result in the product failing to perform as certified.
Final Thought
The most crucial factor of CE-certified cable is whether there is a match among the model number, usage type, and CE documents. Verifying these conditions obviously beforehand can greatly avoid possible loops in future projects. If you need to check the specific model number or obtain the corresponding CE data, Honest Cable can provide clear product information and documentation support. Welcome to contact us.