The Overview Manual is designed for management and technical professionals interested in a general, yet systematic explanation of the European Union's conformity assessment system. The manual reviews the historical motives behind the "New Approach to Technical Harmonization" and the corollary "Global Approach to Testing and Certification," and the benefits of obtaining the "CE" MARK. Engineering and product managers will appreciate the summaries of the major New Approach directives and the references to key harmonized standards.

Sales, marketing, and product development professionals will benefit from the analysis of the EU's influence on the global push toward standardization. Senior management and legal counsel will find great value in the manual's review of the EU's Product Liability and Product Safety Directives, as well as the commentary on EU liability prevention practices.