CE Certificate: What It Means and How to Obtain CE Marking
If you're ready to certify your products, request a CE certification cost estimate
The CE mark is a labeling symbol placed on a product by the manufacturer to allow it to be sold within the European Union market.
However, not all goods produced in EU countries or imported into the EU from elsewhere require CE marking. CE marking is mandatory only for products covered by one or more of the 24 applicable EU Directives. Therefore, it's essential to ensure that your product complies with all relevant requirements before affixing the CE mark. Once the CE mark is applied, the manufacturer assumes full responsibility for complying with applicable EU standards and directives.
CE stands for “Conformité Européenne,” which is French for “European Conformity.” The CE mark is required in all 27 EU member states, as well as in Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Turkey
Legal Framework for CE Marking
Regulation 765/2008 defines the format, meaning, and general principles of CE marking. Decision 768/2008 outlines the conformity assessment procedures leading to its affixing.Key Definitions for CE Marking
Manufacturer — Any natural or legal person who manufactures a product or has it designed or manufactured and markets it under their own name or trademark. Regardless of whether the manufacturer is based in the EU or outside it, they are solely responsible for the application and correct use of the CE mark. A non-EU manufacturer may appoint an authorized representative based in the EU to act on their behalf. Importer — A business entity established in the EU that places a product from a third country on the EU market. Under harmonized EU legislation, the importer has clearly defined responsibilities, which are largely similar to those of EU-based manufacturers.Authorized Representative in the EU (AR)
An authorized representative is any natural or legal person established within the EU who has received a written mandate from the manufacturer to act on their behalf for specific tasks, according to applicable EU legislation. Whether or not the manufacturer is based in the EU, they may appoint an authorized representative to act on their behalf. The authorized representative must be capable of performing at least the following tasks:- Provide the EU Declaration of Conformity and technical documentation to national market surveillance authorities upon request.
- Upon a justified request from a national authority, supply all documentation needed to demonstrate product conformity.
- Cooperate with national authorities on actions to mitigate risks related to non-compliant products.
- Affixing the CE marking (and other applicable marks) along with the notified body number.
- Drafting and signing the EU Declaration of Conformity.
If your company requires an authorized representative in the EU, fill out the application form and we will calculate the cost of this service
How to Obtain a CE Certificate
To apply the CE mark to your product, you must undergo a CE certification process — verifying compliance with harmonized EU requirements. Our experts have developed a simple step-by-step algorithm to help you navigate this process and understand that:CE is simple!
Select applicable Directives / Regulations and Harmonized Standards
Product Testing
Technical File Preparation
Declaration of Conformit
Third-Party Conformity Assessment — Notified Body (NB)
Affixing the CE Mark
1 Step — Select applicable Directives / Regulations and Harmonized Standards
Identify whether your product falls under one or more of the 24 EU Directives. If it does, CE marking is mandatory. Next, select the relevant harmonized standards for those Directives to determine which requirements your product must meet. A list of the most common Directives is available on our website.
2 Step — Product Testing
Conduct laboratory testing to confirm that your product meets the applicable standards. You can find more information about product testing at the following link.
3 Step — Technical File Preparation
Before affixing the CE mark, EU law requires the manufacturer to prepare technical documentation showing that the product complies with relevant standards.
This documentation must be available from the moment the product is placed on the market and retained for 10 years.
Responsibility lies with the manufacturer or their authorized representative.
The content of the technical file depends on the relevant harmonization act for the product category. If third-party verification is involved, the documentation must be in a language the notified body understands, even if not explicitly required.
4 Step — Declaration of Conformit
The Declaration of Conformity certifies that the product meets CE marking requirements and applicable directives.
The manufacturer is fully responsible for its accuracy, and it is a legal obligation.
It must be available to authorities at the EU border and to EU distributors upon request. The Declaration of Conformity typically includes:
- Who you are
- What product it refers to
- Which directives apply
- Which standards were used
- Where test results are located
- Who is responsible within your company.
5 Step — Third-Party Conformity Assessment — Notified Body (NB)
A conformity assessment body performs certification, calibration, testing, and inspections. Notified bodies are officially designated by national authorities to carry out these assessments when third-party involvement is required.
If required by the applicable directive, the manufacturer must involve a notified body, though the manufacturer remains responsible for compliance. Assessment may include:
- Review of technical documentation
- Testing specific product features or representative samples
- Evaluation of the manufacturer’s quality system
- Ongoing product conformity checks.
6 Step — Affixing the CE Mark
The CE mark must be affixed to the product or its data plate in a visible, legible, and indelible way. If this is not possible, it must be placed on the packaging and/or accompanying documents. The minimum height is 5 mm. If resized, proportions must remain consistent. The CE mark may appear in different visual formats (e.g., color, solid/hollow), but must always remain legible and proportionate. If a notified body is involved, its ID number must appear next to the CE mark. Other markings (national, regional, or EU-level) may also be present.
The archive includes the CE mark in GIF, PNG, JPG, AI, and EPS formats. File size: 133 KB
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