CE marking

CE marking is a manufacturer’s declaration that a product complies with the specific EU harmonised legislation that applies to it — for example the Toy Safety Directive, the Low Voltage Directive or the Machinery Regulation. Where such legislation requires it, the CE mark must be affixed before the product can be placed on the EU market, and it signals that the relevant conformity assessment has been carried out.

CE marking is not the same as GPSR compliance. Only certain product categories fall under CE-marking legislation, and for those the CE mark addresses the specific safety requirements of that legislation. The GPSR is broader: it acts as a general safety net covering nearly all non-food consumer products, filling gaps where no specific EU rules apply and complementing them where they do.

In practice a product may need both: CE marking to satisfy its sector rules and GPSR compliance for general safety, traceability and distance-selling information. A product without a CE requirement can still be fully in scope of the GPSR. For more, see GPSR vs CE marking.