The CE mark is a mandatory market entry marking for the European Union. “CE” stands for the French phrase Conformité Européenne. It signifies that a product meets EU requirements on health, safety and environmental protection. Products bearing the CE mark may circulate freely and be sold within EU and European Economic Area (EEA) member states.

      CE is not a single certificate but a full compliance framework consisting of multiple directives. Common directives include the LVD Low Voltage Directive, EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive, RED Radio Equipment Directive, ErP Eco-design Directive and RoHS Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. Most ordinary electrical products follow the self-declaration route. The manufacturer completes testing, compiles full technical documentation and signs the DoC (Declaration of Conformity), after which the CE mark may be affixed. High-risk products such as machinery, medical devices and explosive-protected equipment require involvement of an EU Notified Body (NB).

      Chinese factories cannot act directly as the EU Responsible Person. An authorised representative established within the EU must be appointed. Technical documentation must be retained for at least 10 years for inspection by EU market surveillance authorities.

Product Scope

      It covers most products exported to the EU market: household appliances, IT equipment, audio‑visual products, lighting fixtures, power adapters, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi wireless products, power tools, machinery, toys, personal protective equipment and more.

Application Process

1. Identify all applicable EU directives and harmonised standards for the product.

2. Send samples to a qualified laboratory for relevant testing (safety, EMC, radio, energy efficiency, etc.).

3. Gather drawings, BOM, test reports and risk assessments to compile complete technical documentation.

4. Appoint an EU authorised representative and sign the EU‑DoC (EU Declaration of Conformity).

5. Print the CE mark on the product body or outer packaging.

6. The EU authorised representative keeps the full technical documentation for no less than 10 years to respond to market surveillance checks.

Mark Requirements

      The CE mark consists of two capital letters C and E of equal height, drawn strictly to the official proportion. The minimum mark height is 5 mm. It must be permanently engraved or silk‑screened, preferably printed directly on the product body. If the product is too small for marking, the CE mark may be printed on outer packaging. Stretching, distorting or altering the font proportion is prohibited; resizing arbitrarily is also not allowed.

      Important note: Simply printing the CE mark alone has no legal validity. It must be supported by complete test reports, technical files, the DoC declaration and an EU authorised representative.

Additional Information

Technical specifications: AC230V 50Hz, European CEE7 plugs

Mandatory status: Mandatory for products within the scope

Certificate validity: No fixed expiry date; remains valid provided the product and relevant standards stay unchanged. Reassessment is required when standards are updated or the product design is modified.

Factory audit requirement: No mandatory factory audit for common electrical products. High-risk categories require intervention by an EU Notified Body.

Certificate holder requirement: The manufacturer must appoint an authorised representative based inside the EU.