CE applies to products brought to market. CE implies that the product meets appropriate standards common in that industry. CE experts are used to guide people to appropriate requirements for specific areas. Records are kept on file for 10 years and certification can be done internally. Records must be available for inspection.
Competitors keep each other in-line.
Hermann doesn't see CE as a great technical issue. Companies must document that they are continuing to measure their products against appropriate industry compliance standards. Jon Jones, ICS, asked if VME boards must be compliant. Hermann says that CE only applies to a product that works on it own. This requirement puts the responsibility on the integrator.