Meaning of CE Marking for Products Sold in the EU and UK Markets

Meaning of CE Marking for Products Sold in the EU and UK Markets !

If you sell products in European countries, it is necessary to affix the CE mark on products for legal sales. For those new to selling in EU markets, it may not be clear about the regulations and directives of CE marking and whether their products require it or not.

This post will explain what the CE mark is, and provide an overview of the requirements for importers and manufacturers, as well as general principles and requirements for CE marking.

Now follow us to know about CE marking.

• What does CE marking mean?
• CE Marking in EU and UK
• What’re CE Marking Requirements?
• Which Products Require a CE Mark?
• How to Obtain a CE Mark
• When is CE Marking not Required?
• What if Products are not Affixed with the CE Mark?
• Will the USA Accept CE Marking?
• What are the Benefits of CE Marking?

What does CE marking mean?

If you purchase products within the EEA, you will find the CE marking affixed on the products or their packages. This marking serves as a symbol of CE certification in accordance with European product regulations and standards. The CE mark is mandatory and indicates that a product meets European standards for sale within the EU markets.

CE Marking in EU and UK

As mentioned earlier, the CE mark is mandatory for products sold within the EU markets. However, the UK’s departure from the European Union through Brexit has altered the application area of the CE marking.

Before Brexit

All countries and districts within the EU applied the CE marking directives and required the CE mark on products uniformly, including the UK markets. It was mandatory for most categories of products.

After Brexit

On January 30th, 2020, Britain officially exited the European Union, and many of the EU’s rules and regulations no longer apply to Britain. This also includes the CE marking. On the other hand, other countries and districts within the EU still require the CE mark on products.

However, the absence of the CE marking does not imply that products in the UK market will not require any product mark. Instead, the UK government introduced a new policy, the UKCA mark, to replace the CE mark.

If you want to sell your products in both the EU and UK markets, you must affix both the CE and UKCA marks on your products. While the CE mark is still required for products manufactured and placed on the EU market, the UKCA mark must also be affixed to sell the products in the UK market.

The UKCA mark has been in official use since Jan 1st, 2021. However, the UK government has extended the usage of the CE mark until Dec 31st, 2022, due to many existing products already affixed with the CE mark.

After Dec 31st, 2022, all products sold in the UK markets must be affixed with the UKCA mark. Nonetheless, the UK government has introduced special regulations for using the marks: the CE mark can still be used in Northern Ireland, while the other three districts (England, Scotland, and Wales) should use the UKCA mark.

Relations between UKCA & CE mark

Both UKCA and CE marks play the same role for products but are applied in different areas and markets. The product categories, technical requirements, and conformity assessment procedures of the two marks are the same.

What’re CE Marking Requirements?

CE marking has been available in the EEA markets since 1993 (nearly 30 countries). It is applied to products imported from countries outside the EU, such as China, and to products manufactured within EU countries.

For example, when you buy a phone or a light in the EU markets, you can find the CE mark on these products. Without the mark, it means this phone or light is not reliable enough.

The CE mark must be visible, legible, and indelible. The two letters should be clear in accordance with the required size, unless the product category has different requirements. If you are unsure about the mark, you can download the original mark from the official website of the EU at this link.

Which Products Require a CE Mark?

The CE marking serves as a “passport” for products sold in the EU markets. However, not all products are required to strictly affix the mark, as there are various categories and types of products.

According to the CE marking directives and regulations by the EU, different product categories are subject to respective directives and requirements. Presently, over 20 CE marking directives and regulations are in respective applications, and each includes certain product types and scope, indicating corresponding requirements for manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

The primary product categories of directives and regulations are as follows:

• Toy Safety
• Lifts
• Machinery
• Construction products
• Electromagnetic Compatibility
• Hot water boilers
• Low voltage

More rules of product categories can be checked on the official website.

According to the directives, importers and manufacturers of products should attach importance to the CE marking on products:

• Importers need to verify that the manufacturer’s products are compliant to ensure that they can safely sell the product in the EU.
• Manufacturers should legally perform the CE certification according to the product requirements.

Therefore, before selling products in the EU markets, it is advisable to check if your products are required to affix this mark or not. Otherwise, they may not be allowed to sell normally.

How to Obtain a CE Mark

To obtain a CE mark, you should ensure that your products undergo CE mark certification. Follow these steps to obtain the CE mark for your products:

• Determine the EU directives that apply to your product category;
• Obtain the mandatory requirements for your products;
• Ensure that your product meets all the basic requirements of the Directive.
• Prepare the necessary documents for your products;
• Find a certification body to perform CE certification;
• Test and evaluate your products;
• Save the technical documentation;
• Obtain the declaration of conformity and approval for the CE mark.

After obtaining the CE marking, affix it to your products according to the required regulations. Avoid affixing it randomly, as it may be neglected or considered useless.

When is CE Marking not Required?

The answer to this question depends on the countries and districts in Europe. CE marking is required and valid permanently in the EEA area. In the UK, the CE marking has been replaced by the new UKCA mark since January 1st, 2021. However, considering the pre-existing stock and adjustment time required for all businesses, the CE mark will be valid for some products in the UK market until December 31st, 2022. Therefore, CE marking will not be required in the UK from January 1st, 2023.

What if Products are not Affixed with the CE Mark?

If your products are sold in the EEA markets, you must affix the CE marking to your product, or your product will not be allowed to sell in the area. Some people may sell products without the mark, but if found, fines and penalties will apply.

Will the USA Accept CE Marking?

No, the US market will not accept CE marking. As mentioned above, the directives and requirements of CE marking are according to EU regulations and standards. Therefore, this mark is only available in EU countries. For the US market, it has its own certificates and required marks for products, such as FCC. CE and FCC have different compliance standards.

You may see products with many marks, including CE marking, that can be accepted in the US market, but it does not mean the USA accepts CE marking.

What are the Benefits of CE Marking?

The mandatory requirements of CE marking are to protect the safety of life and property in the European Union and to effectively regulate the market environment and market order.

With the CE mark on products, customers will regard the products they buy as reliable, which indicates that the products have passed strict tests and verification. Sellers can sell their products legally on the EU markets and use this mark to prove the conformity of their own products.

Conclusion

We hope this post has helped you better understand the necessary steps for obtaining a CE mark in the EU and UK if you sell your products in these markets. If you are still confused about CE marking, please leave your comments or questions, and we will provide you with more detailed explanations.

We are Onestopimport, a leading sourcing agent in China. If your products need to obtain a CE mark but you do not know how to do it, or you want to import and customize products from China, please do not hesitate to CONTACT US!