The CE mark means that the product has been assessed as meeting all the essential requirements of the applicable EU legislation when placed on the EU market. All products subject to certain EU directives must comply with the requirements of the directives in order to be placed on the EU market. By preparing a Declaration of Conformity and affixing the CE mark, which is usually a "self-certification" process, the manufacturer declares that his product complies with the applicable legislation. Without the CE mark, product distribution on the European market is not allowed. The CE mark is mandatory in EU member states and member states of the European Free Trade Union (EFTA) - Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. It is also needed in Turkey, which is not a member of either the EU or EFTA. Placing the CE mark on a product is considered a way of confirming to the competent authorities in EU member states that the product meets all relevant EU requirements.