The short answer
Most electrical and electronic goods sold in the EU need a CE mark. The mark says the product meets every EU law that applies to it, such as the low voltage, EMC, radio and RoHS rules.
You back it with test reports, a technical file and an EU declaration of conformity that you sign.
A charger, a lamp and a Bluetooth speaker can each fall under a different set of EU rules. Each rule can need its own tests.
Get the list right before you book a lab. A test against the wrong standard is money spent twice.
Which rules apply
Four EU laws cover most electronics sold online.
| What it covers | Typical products | |
|---|---|---|
| Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) | Electrical safety of equipment that runs on 50 to 1,000 volts AC or 75 to 1,500 volts DC | Mains chargers, lamps, kitchen appliances, power tools |
| EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) | Equipment that can cause electromagnetic interference, or be disturbed by it | Almost anything with electronics inside |
| Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU) | Products that send or receive radio waves. It covers their safety and EMC too | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and smart home devices, remote controls |
| RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) | Limits on hazardous substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium | All electrical and electronic equipment |
A wireless product follows the Radio Equipment Directive in place of the low voltage and EMC rules, because the radio rules include safety and EMC.
The 2025 rule for connected devices
Since August 1, 2025, the Radio Equipment Directive has cybersecurity rules. Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 switched them on.
They apply to radio equipment that connects to the internet, and to some other groups, such as radio toys and wearables that handle personal data.
The EN 18031 standards set out how to meet them. A product tested against them is presumed to comply.
If you sell a smart plug, a camera or a Wi-Fi gadget, ask your lab about EN 18031 before you book.
Who does what
You may be the manufacturer without owning a factory. Your Europe says you count as the manufacturer if you have a product made for you and sell it under your own name or brand.
The manufacturer:
- checks which rules apply
- has the product tested, or tests it
- draws up the technical file
- signs the EU declaration of conformity
- puts the CE mark on the product
- keeps the file and the declaration for 10 years
The lab tests the product against the standards and writes a report. It cannot sign your declaration for you.
What the technical file holds
The file is your proof if an authority asks. It usually holds:
- a description of the product, with photos, drawings and circuit diagrams
- the list of standards applied
- the test reports
- a copy of the signed declaration of conformity
Keep it in order. An authority can ask for it at any time in those 10 years.
Great Britain
GOV.UK says a law in force since October 1, 2024 keeps the CE mark recognised for electrical equipment in Great Britain. You can use CE or UKCA.
The product must still meet the GB rules, and the GB importer duties still apply.
What CE does not cover
The CE mark is one part of selling electronics in Europe. You will usually need these too:
- An EU contact on the label. The General Product Safety Regulation asks for a responsible person based in the EU. Our EU Rep service fills that role.
- Registration for electronic waste. Most EU countries ask sellers of electrical goods to register under the WEEE rules. See our EPR service.
- An energy label, for TVs and other screens, and for lamps. See our energy label service.
Get it checked
Send us the product page link. We tell you which rules apply and which tests you need, and give you one fixed price before any test starts.
See our product testing service. VAT+ is your contact from the first call to the last report.
Common questions
Can I put the CE mark on my product myself?
Yes, for most electronics. Your Europe says the manufacturer affixes the CE mark after checking that the product meets every EU rule that applies.
If you sell under your own brand, you count as the manufacturer. You need the evidence first: test reports, a technical file and a signed declaration of conformity.
My lab sent a “CE certificate”. Is that enough?
No. A lab can test your product and issue a report or a certificate of its own.
The legal document is the EU declaration of conformity, and you sign it as the manufacturer. Keep the lab report in your technical file as evidence.
How long must I keep the documents?
Ten years after the product is placed on the market. The low voltage, EMC and radio equipment directives each ask the manufacturer to keep the technical file and the declaration of conformity that long, ready for the authorities.
Does a USB-powered gadget need CE?
Usually yes, but not under the low voltage rules, which start at 50 volts AC or 75 volts DC. The EMC rules still apply to most devices with electronics, and RoHS applies to electrical and electronic equipment.
Safety then falls under the General Product Safety Regulation.
Do I need UKCA as well?
No. For electrical equipment, GOV.UK says a law in force since October 1, 2024 keeps the CE mark recognised in Great Britain. You may choose CE or UKCA.
Sources
The rules on this page come from these official sources.
- Your Europe (European Union): CE marking
- European Commission: Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
- European Commission: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
- European Commission: Radio Equipment Directive (RED)
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 (RED cybersecurity)
- European Commission: RoHS Directive
- GOV.UK: Product regulations by sector and current approaches to product marking
The service behind this guide
Product testing & certification
Lab tests and the documents for CE, UKCA, CPC and FCC, for toys and electrical goods.
VAT+ is powered by VATAi (VATAI Technology SRL). Their tax specialists file for you. We stay your contact.