Data published by the trade group Team-NB reported a 49% year-on-year increase in the number of newly issued CE mark certificates.
The survey claims that notified bodies issued 7,419 new CE certificates in 2019. Typically, this number was below 5,000 during the last decade.
The main reason for this increase, which makes 2019 the busiest year for CE mark certificates within the last decade, is thought to be the EU MDR deadline which was initially meant to come in to force on 26th May 2020. However, mainly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this deadline has been postponed to 26th May 2021.
Another reason for the rise in CE mark certificates could be due to a reduction in the number of certificates which were withdrawn. Survey respondents claimed reasons for withdrawal included financial issues, the cost of the notified body, and mergers and acquisitions.
Despite the increase, the number of notified bodies is still less than anticipated. Team-NB said: “The small increase in number of employees in comparison with the wishes of notified bodies is mainly related to the difficulties to find people with the requested competencies on the market. It is a real problem the notified [bodies] are facing.”