CE marking for exporters: the 6 steps to sell products in the EU

The six steps for manufacturers

• Identify the applicable directives or regulations and the harmonised standards for your product.
• Verify the product-specific requirements in that legislation.
• Identify whether an independent conformity assessment by a notified body is necessary.
• Test the product and check its conformity.
• Draw up and keep available the required technical documentation.
• Affix the CE marking and draw up the EU declaration of conformity.

Marking, documentation and scope

The CE marking must be visible and legible, and its components may not be smaller than 5 mm. If it cannot be put on the product itself, it goes on the packaging and accompanying documents. The manufacturer, or its authorised representative in the EU, keeps copies of the technical documentation for the period set by the applicable legislation. The CE marking may only be used for products in the scope of legislation that requires it; putting it on other products is not allowed.

What the EU importer checks

For products made outside the EU, the importer must check that they meet all EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements and that the manufacturer has taken the steps needed to place them on the EU market. The importer keeps the EU declaration of conformity available, makes sure the technical documentation can be provided on request, and must be able to contact the manufacturer at any time. In practice the importer therefore asks the exporter for the declaration of conformity, test reports and access to the technical file.