CE Marking for UK Sellers
If you sell into Europe, CE marking is mandatory. Here is what UK businesses need to know.
What is CE Marking?
CE marking (Conformité Européenne) is the European Union’s product safety mark. It signals that a product meets the essential requirements of all applicable EU Directives and is legally permitted to be sold across the EU Single Market.
For UK-based businesses exporting to EU member states — or selling on EU Amazon marketplaces such as Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, or Amazon.it — CE marking remains a legal requirement. Brexit did not remove this obligation for products entering the EU market.
Who Needs CE Marking?
CE marking is required for manufacturers, EU-based importers, and authorised representatives placing regulated products on the EU market. If you are a UK manufacturer selling directly into the EU, you must either appoint an EU-based Authorised Representative or ensure your EU importer takes on compliance responsibility.
Key product categories include: electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, toys, personal protective equipment, medical devices, radio equipment, pressure vessels, and construction products.
CE Marking Post-Brexit: What Changed for UK Sellers
- EU Authorised Representative: UK manufacturers placing products on the EU market must appoint an EU-based Authorised Representative. This is now a legal requirement under most EU Directives.
- EU Notified Body: Where third-party conformity assessment is required, you must use an EU Notified Body — UK Approved Bodies no longer hold Notified Body status in the EU.
- EU Declaration of Conformity: The DoC must reference EU Directives and be maintained by the manufacturer or EU Authorised Representative.
- UKCA does not cover EU sales: UKCA marking has no recognition in the EU. You need both marks if selling in both markets.
- REACH and RoHS: EU REACH and EU RoHS obligations apply separately from UK equivalents and are enforced by EU member state authorities.
Steps to CE Mark Your Product
- Identify applicable EU Directives — a product may fall under multiple Directives simultaneously.
- Identify harmonised standards — compliance with harmonised EN standards gives presumption of conformity with Directive essential requirements.
- Determine conformity assessment route — Module A (self-declaration) or a module requiring EU Notified Body involvement, depending on product risk category.
- Compile a Technical File — product description, design drawings, test reports, risk assessment, and standards applied.
- Draw up an EU Declaration of Conformity — must reference the product, applicable Directives, standards used, and be signed by an authorised person.
- Appoint an EU Authorised Representative — required for UK manufacturers without an EU establishment.
- Affix the CE mark — minimum 5mm height, must not be misleading or confused with other marks.
Common Mistakes Made by UK Sellers
- Not appointing an EU Authorised Representative after Brexit — this is now a legal requirement under most Directives.
- Confusing UKCA and CE marking obligations — they are separate requirements for separate markets.
- Using outdated Directive references on the DoC — some Directives have been revised and old versions are no longer valid.
- Applying CE marking to products that do not require it — creates false compliance expectations and potential liability.
- Failing to maintain and update the Technical File as the product design changes.
We manage CE marking for UK businesses entering or maintaining EU markets.
Technical files, Declarations of Conformity, EU Authorised Representative arrangements — we handle it all.
