CE certification of goods in the EU

Products for the European market must fulfil the quality standards adopted by the European Union. This means that they must be safe for consumers, animals, property and the environment.

In the 28 countries of the European Union (including Estonia and the entire Baltic States), as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Turkey, CE marking of goods is applied.

CE (Conformité Européenne) or “European Conformity” sign – A special mark applied to products that certifies their conformity with EU Directives and EU technical control standards.

The CE marking allows products to be manufactured and sold throughout the European Economic Area (except Switzerland). If you have obtained a CE Certificate in one of the EU countries, it will be valid throughout the EU.

Watch the video with the expert (1:55 min)

Mandatory CE certification applies to the following product categories:

construction materials
personal protective equipment
lifts and lifting mechanisms
medical equipment
electrical equipment
children’s toys
industrial machinery
measuring instruments

Validity Period of a CE Certificate

The validity period of a CE certificate can range from 3 to 10 years.

Cost of Obtaining a CE Certificate

The cost of a CE certificate depends on the type of product, the number of applicable harmonized standards, whether laboratory testing of samples is required, whether a notified body needs to be involved, the volume of required documentation, and the potential risks associated with the use of the product.

It should be noted that CE certification is a complex bureaucratic procedure that involves significant challenges and financial expenses.

CE Marking Rules

The CE marking is a CE logo applied to a product in a way that is clearly visible and indelible. If a laboratory was involved in certification and risk assessment, its identification number is placed next to the CE mark. The mark must be at least 5 mm in size while maintaining its proportions.

If it is not possible to apply the mark directly to the product, it must be placed on the packaging or accompanying documentation.

CE Certification Procedure

The CE marking process can be done either through self-declaration or via certification involving an independent notified body from an EU country.

In most cases, it’s sufficient to verify product compliance with EU regulations and standards and issue a declaration. This can be done by the manufacturer or importer themselves. The manufacturer assumes full responsibility for product compliance with all necessary regulations. By law, they must be an EU resident or have an authorized representative within the EU territory.

Sowana provides the following EU certification services (in Estonia, Baltic countries, and throughout the EU):