1. Check if CE marking applies to your product
Not all products need a CE mark. It’s only mandatory for items covered by specific EU directives/regulations (e.g., machinery, toys, pressure equipment, electromagnetic compatibility, etc.). If your product isn’t in such a category, you must not attach a CE mark.
📌 Examples of products that do need it:
- Machinery
- Toys
- Electrical equipment
- Personal protective equipment
- Pressure equipment
- Radio/telecoms equipment
(full list in official EU directives)
2. Identify the applicable EU legislation and harmonised standards
Each product category has one or more EU laws (directives/regulations) setting out essential requirements.
➡️ Identify which laws apply to your product and which harmonised European standards you can use to show compliance.
These standards give technical ways to meet the legal requirements.
3. Check conformity assessment requirements
Some products allow self-declaration (you test and declare conformity yourself). Others require a Notified Body — an independent, accredited organisation — to conduct part of the assessment.
Notified Bodies are appointed by EU member states and listed on the NANDO database. Only EU-recognised bodies can produce valid certificates for CE marking.
4. Test your product and assess conformity
This typically includes:
- Conducting or commissioning tests against relevant standards
- Doing a risk assessment
- Ensuring product specifications meet EU essential requirements
If a Notified Body is needed, send samples and documentation to them for part of the conformity assessment.
5. Compile technical documentation
You must prepare and keep a technical file including:
✔ product design and manufacturing data
✔ test results and assessment reports
✔ which EU standards were applied
✔ risk assessments
✔ instructions and safety information
✔ declaration of conformity draft
This must be available to market surveillance authorities if requested.
6. Draw up an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
This is a legal document in which you (as the manufacturer or authorised representative in the EEA) declare that the product meets all relevant EU requirements. It must include:
- your name and address
- product identification
- applied directives/standards
- details of conformity assessment
- signature of a responsible person
7. Affix the CE marking properly
Place the CE logo on the product (or its data plate/packaging if allowed) in the correct format:
- minimum size (usually at least 5 mm height)
- proportionally scaled
- visible and permanent
If a Notified Body participated, its identification number must be shown beside the CE mark.
📦 After Marking: Documentation & Market Rules
- Keep your technical file and DoC for several years — authorities can ask to see it at any time.
- Distributors must check CE marking and accompanying documentation before supplying products.
- Importers should verify that non-EEA manufacturers have completed the required procedures
