CEI standards and CE marking: what installers need to know about electrical panels

Electrical panel regulations are essential to ensure safety, compliance, and reliability in installations

For anyone who designs, installs, or maintains electrical panels, understanding the electrical panel regulations is a fundamental requirement. In 2025, compliance with CEI standards and CE marking rules is not only a legal obligation, but also a guarantee of safety and quality. This article clarifies what these requirements involve and what responsibilities installers have.

What are CEI standards?

CEI (Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano) is the Italian body that develops technical standards in the field of electrical engineering. CEI standards establish technical and safety criteria for the design, construction, testing, and installation of electrical equipment, including panels.

Key standards for electrical panels

• CEI EN 61439: defines the construction rules for low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies
• CEI 64-8: standard for electrical installations in buildings and industry
• CEI 11-1 and CEI 0-21 / CEI 0-16: rules for connection to low and medium voltage public networks

These standards provide precise guidelines on dimensions, clearances, protection degrees, insulation, and testing.

What is CE marking?

The CE marking certifies that a product complies with all applicable European directives, including those related to electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and machinery. For a panel, CE marking indicates that:

• It meets the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU
• It complies with the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
• It is constructed according to the relevant harmonized standards (e.g., EN 61439)

The CE mark must be visible, legible, and indelible on the panel and included in the documentation.

Installer responsibilities

The professional who installs an electrical panel must:

• Ensure the panel has a valid CE marking
• Check that the panel is compliant with CEI standards and system specifications
• Verify the adequacy of protection devices and cable sections
• Connect and test the system according to the rules
• Issue the declaration of conformity (in Italy, under Ministerial Decree 37/08)

Improper installation or the use of non-compliant equipment exposes the installer to civil and criminal liability.

What documentation is required?

A compliant electrical panel must be accompanied by:

• Technical file: includes electrical diagrams, components, and test results
• CE declaration of conformity
• Instructions for transport, installation, use, and maintenance
• Maintenance log (if applicable)

This documentation must be delivered to the customer and kept for the life of the system.

Testing and commissioning

Before putting an electrical panel into operation, the following must be performed:

• Continuity checks of protective conductors
• Insulation resistance measurements
• Function tests on protection devices
• Labeling and marking of circuits

Each test must be documented in the final report and signed by the responsible technician.

Why it matters

Electrical regulations are not bureaucracy—they are practical tools to ensure safety and system efficiency. A compliant panel:

• Protects people from electric shock and fire hazards
• Reduces equipment failures and downtime
• Facilitates inspection and insurance processes
• Increases the value and reliability of the system

According to the European Commission, CE marking is a passport for free circulation and a guarantee of quality.

Conclusion: regulation as a strategic asset

Knowing and applying electrical panel regulations is an essential part of the installer’s professional competence. It means offering a safe, reliable, and future-ready service. In a market increasingly oriented toward digital and sustainable infrastructure, compliance is not a constraint—it is an advantage.