CE Marking
CE marking (Conformité Européenne) is the manufacturer’s declaration that a product complies with all applicable EU directives and regulations. It is not a quality mark — it is a legal requirement for placing products on the European Economic Area (EEA) market. Without CE marking, a product cannot legally be sold in the EU.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What CE stands for | Conformité Européenne (French: “European Conformity”) |
| Legal basis | Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 and Decision 768/2008/EC |
| Who applies it | The manufacturer (or authorized representative in the EU) |
| Where required | All 27 EU member states + EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) + Turkey, Switzerland (partial) |
| Penalty for misuse | Up to €100,000 fines, product recall, criminal prosecution (varies by member state) |
| Physical appearance | Stylized “CE” initials, minimum 5 mm height, proportions as defined in EU legislation |
How CE Marking Works
CE marking is not something you apply for or get approved — it is a self-declaration process (with exceptions). The manufacturer:
- Identifies applicable directives — Each product type falls under one or more EU directives (e.g., RED for wireless devices, LVD for electrical safety, EMC for electromagnetic compatibility).
- Meets essential requirements — Designs the product to satisfy all requirements from applicable directives.
- Performs conformity assessment — Tests and evaluates the product against harmonized standards (EN standards).
- Compiles technical documentation — Creates a Technical File documenting compliance evidence.
- Issues EU Declaration of Conformity — A legal document declaring compliance, signed by the manufacturer.
- Affixes CE marking — Places the CE symbol on the product, packaging, and documentation.
Directives Applicable to Hardware Products
| Directive | Scope | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Equipment Directive (RED) | Any device with a radio transmitter/receiver | RF safety, EMC, spectrum efficiency, cybersecurity (from Aug 2025) |
| Low Voltage Directive (LVD) | Electrical equipment 50–1000V AC, 75–1500V DC | Electrical safety, insulation, protection against hazards |
| EMC Directive | All electrical/electronic equipment | Electromagnetic emissions limits, immunity to interference |
| Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) | All products with digital elements (from Dec 2027) | Secure boot, SBOM, vulnerability management, 5-year updates |
| RoHS Directive | All EEE (electrical and electronic equipment) | Restriction of hazardous substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.) |
| Machinery Regulation | Machines, robots, automated systems | Safety of machinery, risk assessment |
| ATEX Directive | Equipment for explosive atmospheres | Ignition protection, intrinsic safety |
CE Marking and CRA: What Changes
The Cyber Resilience Act fundamentally changes CE marking for connected products:
| Before CRA (until Dec 2027) | After CRA (from Dec 2027) |
|---|---|
| CE marking covers safety, EMC, RF | CE marking also requires cybersecurity compliance |
| No cybersecurity assessment in CE process | Secure boot, SBOM, vulnerability management required |
| Manufacturer self-declares in most cases | Critical products require third-party audit |
| No ongoing obligations after market placement | 5-year vulnerability management obligation |
The critical implication: From December 2027, a product that lacks Hardware Root of Trust, secure boot, or SBOM capability cannot receive CE marking and is therefore illegal to sell in the EU.
CE Marking vs. Other Marks
| Mark | Region | Nature | Who Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| CE | EU/EEA | Regulatory (mandatory) | Manufacturer self-declaration |
| UKCA | United Kingdom | Regulatory (mandatory for UK) | Manufacturer self-declaration |
| UL | United States | Safety certification (voluntary) | UL (third-party lab) |
| FCC | United States | Regulatory (mandatory for RF devices) | FCC or accredited lab |
| China Export (CE) | China | Voluntary export mark | Manufacturer |
⚠ Warning: The “China Export” mark uses similar letters but has different proportions. The legitimate CE mark has precise spacing between the “C” and “E” as defined in EU legislation.