The CE mark is an abbreviation of Conformité européenne (European Conformity) and represents a manufacturer’s marking confirming that a product:

is designed and manufactured in accordance with the health, safety, and other requirements of European Union legislation applicable to that product and providing for the affixing of the CE mark, and

has undergone the appropriate conformity assessment procedure.

One of the fundamental features of the European Union’s single market is the free movement of people, capital, goods, and services. At the same time, products placed on the market must meet essential requirements related to the protection of health, safety, consumers, and the environment.

For the single market to function on the principles of equality and fair competition, common rules had to be established. The greatest obstacle was the difference in technical regulations between countries, which required goods to be additionally checked at every border crossing. Harmonization of legislation at EU level was therefore crucial for the functioning of the market.

To this end, the European Union first adopted the so-called Old Approach directives, which contained detailed technical requirements. However, it was only with the adoption of the New Approach to technical harmonization and standardization in 1985 that many trade barriers were removed.

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Basic principles of the New Approach

The European Union lays down essential requirements that products must meet in order to be placed on the market.

Detailed technical solutions are provided in harmonized standards. A product applying them is presumed to comply with the essential requirements.

The use of standards is not mandatory — a manufacturer may apply other technical solutions, provided that compliance with legislative requirements is demonstrated.

A particular focus of the New Approach is the safe use of products and the prevention of risks to human health, property, and the environment.

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Importance of the CE mark

A large number of consumer and industrial products covered by relevant EU legislation must bear the CE mark.

The CE mark represents the only official marking of conformity with the requirements of European legislation regarding product safety. Unlike voluntary quality marks, the CE mark is legally mandatory for products falling under the relevant regulations, and such products cannot be placed on the EU market without it.

For this reason, the CE mark is often referred to as the product’s “trade passport”, as it enables the free movement of goods within the EU without additional national approvals.

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Advantages of products with the CE mark

For products bearing the CE mark:

free movement within the EU market is enabled,

no additional national testing is required,

Member States may not prohibit their sale unless:

the legislation has not been correctly applied, or

there is a risk not covered by the applicable rules.

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Placement of the CE mark

The CE mark must be affixed to the product itself. If this is not possible due to the nature of the product, it is placed on the packaging, the nameplate, or the accompanying documentation.

The mark must be:

clearly visible,

legible (minimum height 5 mm),

durable and indelible under normal conditions of use.

The CE mark is affixed by the manufacturer or their authorized representative in the EU. Together with the mark, an EU Declaration of Conformity is issued, and if a notified body has participated in the conformity assessment procedure, its identification number is placed next to the CE mark.

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Products to which it applies

The CE mark is affixed to:

new products placed on the EU market (regardless of the country of manufacture),

products that have been substantially modified and are considered new,

certain used products imported from third countries.

The CE mark is the only marking confirming compliance with European requirements. It is not permitted to affix other national markings serving the same purpose, as this could cause confusion.

The CE mark must not be affixed if the manufacturer is not certain that the product meets all relevant requirements. Penalties for improper marking can be very high, including product withdrawal from the market and financial sanctions.

 

For more details, visit the official EU CE marking page.