What Melanie said was in some parts correct. The CE mark refers only to the stated use when the product is put onto the market. So you test to meet the stated use.

My point is that it's not straight forward, you cannot simply interpret the legislation such that it suits you. So you can't test for one thing that's an easy pass, CE mark your product and then put it on to the market knowing full well that it will be used in a completely different way. (well you can, but that's neglecting your responsibility)

You cannot stop the consumer using the product outside of the stated purpose, but you do have a responsibility to ensure that you meet the EMC directives relevant to probable use.

Its not that difficult to identify the correct EMC directives and to understand exactly what OTHER areas you need to test and state compliance in. Read the legislation or get advise.

DONT rely on people like me or Melanie, (i'm not qualified to give definitive answers).

Like it or not, if you import into or manufacture and put a product onto the market in the EU you have a responsibility and if challenged you need to show that you have conformed to the relative legislation. Don't rely on the challenger being more ignorant than you, it might not be the case.

Actually its pretty much the same situation as when you're developing your product, you read the data sheets don't you?

Oh, and YES if the prof gets the little lady in purchasing to import a product it needs to meet the legislation and the importer is responsible...BUT educational use is different, there are massive exemptions there, so maybe CE and EMC testing is not required... READ THE LEGISLATION, ITS NOT DIFFICULT.