A Chinese factory sends you a sample with a CE mark on the label and a one-page declaration. It looks complete. Before you order a container, you need to know what the mark proves, what it does not, and who answers if the product turns out to be non-compliant.
This guide covers CE marking for the EU and CE and UKCA marking for Great Britain, from the importer’s side. It sits next to our GPSR guide, which covers general product safety. CE marking applies to specific product groups, so the first question is always which rules cover your product.
What the CE mark means
The European Commission describes CE marking as showing that products sold in the European Economic Area have been assessed against EU requirements. Two points matter:
- It is not an approval. The CE mark does not mean the EU or another authority has approved the product as safe.
- It does not show where the product was made. The mark does not indicate origin.
CE marking is compulsory only for most products covered by the EU’s harmonised product rules, such as those for toys and electrical equipment. Putting it on other products is forbidden. The rules also apply to products made in other countries and sold in the EEA.
Who does what in the EU
| Manufacturer | Importer | |
|---|---|---|
| Conformity assessment | Carries it out | Checks it was done |
| Technical file | Sets it up | Keeps access to it |
| EU declaration of conformity | Issues it | Checks it exists |
| CE mark | Affixes it | Checks it is on the product |
| Name and address on the product | Provides it | Adds its own where required |
The Commission says importers and distributors must know the legal requirements and ensure that the products they import meet them.
For many product groups, Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 adds a rule: the product may be placed on the market only if an economic operator established in the EU handles the compliance tasks. Where the manufacturer is outside the EU, the importer is in principle that operator, unless the manufacturer appoints an authorised representative. Products in scope show the name and address of that EU operator. Check the exact duties for your product’s rules.
Great Britain: UKCA and CE
GOV.UK’s guidance (last updated 21 August 2026) says:
- Conformity marking is only necessary where sector-specific regulations require it.
- The UK continues to recognise the CE marking, alongside or in place of the UKCA marking. The page gives no end date for CE recognition.
- The manufacturer, or an authorised representative as agreed, is responsible for marking the product.
- Qualifying Northern Ireland products can be placed on the market in Great Britain. Northern Ireland follows the EU system, so check the separate guidance for it.
For an importer, GOV.UK lists these duties:
- Confirm that the manufacturer followed the correct conformity processes and applied the right marking.
- Show the product’s identification details.
- Keep technical documentation.
- Keep a line of contact with the manufacturer.
An importer that sells under its own name takes on the manufacturer’s obligations. That matters for private label: if your brand is on the box, the files are yours to hold.
What to ask the factory
- The EU declaration of conformity. It should name the product model, the manufacturer and the rules the product meets.
- Test reports from a named laboratory for that exact model. A report for a similar model is not evidence for yours.
- The technical file, or a clear route to it, if you will sell under your own brand.
- Photos of the product label and the packaging, to check the mark and the identification details.
- A change clause. Write into the purchase order that no component or material changes without your approval. A changed part can invalidate the test report.
Before you order
- Find which rules apply
Ask a compliance adviser or your broker which EU and UK product rules cover your product. Toys, electrical goods, machinery and radio equipment each have their own.
- Ask for the documents
Request the declaration of conformity, test reports and technical file before you pay a deposit.
- Check the documents
Match model number, standard and test lab to your product. Ask for a new test if they do not match.
- Name the responsible party
Decide who is the EU operator, and the importer in Great Britain. Add the name and address to the label proof.
- Approve the label proof
Check the mark, the model number and the identification details against your notes before printing.
- Check at inspection
Add the mark, the label content and the documents to the inspection checklist so the inspector checks them on the finished goods.
How CFS helps
We ask the factory for the declaration of conformity and test reports before production, and we check labels and marks at inspection. See supplier verification and quality control. We do not issue test reports or certificates. An accredited laboratory or a compliance adviser in your market does that.
Bottom line
The CE mark is the factory’s claim. You are the one who sells the product. Ask for the declaration and test reports before you order, check they match your product, and hold the files yourself if your brand goes on the box.
Checked against the European Commission, GOV.UK and EUR-Lex on 13 November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Ask a compliance adviser about your own products.
Questions we get asked
Does a CE mark mean a product is safe?
No. The European Commission says CE marking signifies that products sold in the EEA have been assessed against EU requirements. It does not mean the EU or another authority has approved the product as safe, and it does not indicate where the product was made.
Who puts the CE mark on a product?
The manufacturer. The Commission says it is the manufacturer's responsibility to carry out the conformity assessment, set up the technical file, issue the EU declaration of conformity and affix the mark. Importers and distributors must check that the products they handle meet the requirements.
Can I sell CE-marked products in Great Britain?
Yes. GOV.UK says the UK continues to recognise the CE marking, alongside or in place of the UKCA marking, under the Product Safety and Metrology (Amendment) Regulations 2024. A marking is only needed where sector-specific regulations require one.
What happens if I sell a Chinese product under my own brand?
GOV.UK says an importer that sells a product under its own name takes on the manufacturer's obligations. Ask the factory for the full technical file and declaration of conformity, and plan to hold them yourself.