CE Marking

What is CE Marking?

CE marking is a mandatory conformity mark that shows a product meets European Union safety, health, and environmental protection requirements. It is required for many products sold or used in the EU and may involve self-declaration or third-party assessment depending on the applicable directive.

Do I need to CE Mark my product?

CE Marking is mandatory for any product that is marketed or placed into use in the EU, regardless of its origin, and that falls within the scope of certain product ‘Directives’ published by the European Union.

How do I get my product CE Marked?

Except for a few high-risk industries, most products can be CE marked by the manufacturer. Although you may be able to legally ‘self-declare’ and CE mark your product, the process can seem somewhat convoluted and confusing if you are unfamiliar with the process. Physically attaching a CE label may appear to be very simple, but the CE mark is the culmination of a process of assessment and validation.

How do I know if my product need to be CE Marked?

For a definitive list of applicable products for the European market you would need to check the Europa website found here.

Where do I buy a CE Mark?

A CE Mark cannot be bought, it is simply a logo which a manufacturer or responsible person should attach to a product to show that it conforms to all the applicable European Directives.

Fees will be incurred if assessment by a Notified Body is required as part of the CE certification process.  However, Notified Bodies do not ‘award’ the CE Mark; they simply confirm whether conformity with a specific Directive has been demonstrated.

Can I CE Mark my own product?

You may be able to complete the entire self-declaration process yourself, but it depends on the applicable Directive/Regulation and the type of product, so it’s always wise to check beforehand to avoid risks later.

Some EU Directives include mandatory requirements for assessment by a Notified/Approved Body as part of the certification process, but only for certain types or categories of product. Other Directives/Regulations allow the manufacturer or responsible person to ‘self-declare’ conformity, with no need for external assessment.

We recommend that you seek qualified advice before embarking on the CE Marking process, to ensure that you fully understand the requirements specific to your product.

How long does a CE Mark last?

In theory, a CE Mark can continue to be affixed to a product indefinitely, as long as the product’s design does not change, the applicable Directives are not subject to any revisions and any relevant product standards are not updated.

However, in reality it is necessary for manufacturers to review the continuing validity of CE Marks on a regular basis to confirm that any changes to either a product or the wider regulatory environment have been addressed.

Is a CE Mark still valid in the UK?

Yes. Originally the UKCA mark was intended to replace the use of CE marking for the GB market. The transition of acceptance from CE to UKCA was set for December 2024. However, in August 2023 the UK Government extended the acceptance of CE marking indefinitely.

Who is checking that I CE Mark my product?

Port of entry Authorities – products exported/imported will have their CE marking credentials checked. This is becoming increasingly likely since the UK left the European Union and the increased use of digital documentation checks.

Market Surveillance Authorities – Each member state of the European Union has to ensure market surveillance is actively in place.

End-users – Procurement departments will more than likely look to ensure products are suitably CE marked. Factory/Commercial Employers have a duty of care to ensure equipment complies under the Health and Safety at Work Act.