If you sell into the European Union, CE marking is not optional. It is a legal requirement for most electrical and consumer products. Here is what every importer should know.
1. What is CE marking?
CE (Conformité Européenne) is a mark that indicates a product meets the safety, health and environmental requirements of the EU. It is not a certification issued by a single body — the manufacturer declares compliance.
2. Which products need CE?
- Electrical and electronic equipment
- Toys and children's products
- Machinery and tools
- Medical devices
- Construction products
- Personal protective equipment
Most of our product lines — mosquito killers, humidifiers, fans, heaters and lighting — fall under CE requirements.
3. What does the process involve?
- Identify the applicable EU directives
- Test the product against the relevant standards
- Prepare a technical file with design, testing and instructions
- Sign a Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
- Affix the CE mark to the product and packaging
4. Common mistakes
- Applying CE mark without testing
- Using a certificate that covers a different model
- Missing technical file for customs
- No EU responsible person for GPSR compliance
5. Certificate vs test report
A certificate alone is not enough. You need the full test report showing:
- Product model
- Test standards applied
- Test results
- Issuing laboratory and accreditation
6. How long is it valid?
CE compliance is not a certificate that expires. But if the product, standards or directives change, you must retest. Most importers update testing every 3 years.
7. What we provide
All our products come with full CE test reports for the exact model you buy. We can also arrange ETL, UKCA and REACH testing for specific markets. Contact us for a sample report.