CECheck The reference for CE marking

CE marking, accurately explained.

The EU directives and regulations that require CE marking, the conformity assessment process behind each one, and what changed in 2025 and 2026. No marketing, no consulting pitch — just the rules and how they apply.

Free toolWhich EU rules apply to my product? LookupWho is the number after the CE mark? VerifyCheck a CE mark or certificate Free toolDraft a Declaration of Conformity Start hereWhat is CE marking? ProcessThe 6 steps to compliance DeadlineMachinery Regulation: 20 January 2027 TimelineWhat changed and what is next
Status at October 2026: the Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 applies from 20 January 2027. The Cyber Resilience Act's reporting duties have applied since 11 September 2026. The Construction Products Regulation 2024/3110 is applying in stages, family by family, alongside Regulation 305/2011. The Toy Safety Regulation 2025/2509 is in force but applies from 1 August 2030. See the full timeline.

Foundations

The horizontal concepts that apply across every CE-marked product.

What CE marking is and what it isn't Does your product need CE marking? Scope and exclusions The CE marking process Six steps from scope to signature Conformity assessment modules Modules A through H, explained Technical documentation What the technical file must contain EU Declaration of Conformity Mandatory contents and format Notified Bodies When they're required, how to choose one The NANDO database Finding and verifying a Notified Body CE number lookup Who is behind 0123, 2797 and other numbers Harmonised standards Presumption of conformity Affixing the CE mark Dimensions, placement, visibility How to check a CE mark Verify a mark, certificate or declaration Manufacturer obligations The primary responsible party Importer obligations Verification duties for EU importers Authorised Representative The EU-based legal contact Distributor obligations Due-diligence checks at resale

Directives & regulations

One page per piece of EU harmonisation legislation that mandates CE marking. Scope, essential requirements, assessment route, and current legal status.

Electrical, electronic, radio
Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU EMC Directive 2014/30/EU Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 Ecodesign Regulation 2024/1781 (ESPR) Cyber Resilience Act 2024/2847
Machinery, pressure, lifts
Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU Simple Pressure Vessels Directive 2014/29/EU Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU Cableway Installations Regulation 2016/424 Outdoor Equipment Noise Directive 2000/14/EC
Medical & diagnostic
Medical Devices Regulation 2017/745 (MDR) In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation 2017/746 (IVDR)
Consumer & protective
Toy Safety Regulation 2025/2509 PPE Regulation 2016/425 Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU Pyrotechnic Articles Directive 2013/29/EU Drones (UAS) Regulation 2019/945
Construction, gas, explosives, fertilisers
Construction Products Regulation 2024/3110 Gas Appliances Regulation 2016/426 Explosives for Civil Uses Directive 2014/28/EU Fertilising Products Regulation 2019/1009
Measurement & marine
Measuring Instruments Directive 2014/32/EU Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments 2014/31/EU Marine Equipment Directive 2014/90/EU

Practical questions & adjacent law

Where CE marking meets enforcement, neighbouring rules, and questions that don't fit inside a single directive.

GPSR 2023/988 How it interacts with CE CE marking vs UKCA Status in Great Britain in 2026 The New Legislative Framework How modern CE law is structured The Blue Guide, explained The Commission's own interpretation Market surveillance How non-compliance is found Penalties for incorrect CE marking Fines, withdrawals, criminal liability Importing from non-EU manufacturers Who carries which obligation Risk assessment for CE marking How to structure and document it Costs & timelines What you pay for, and how to compare quotes Common CE marking mistakes And how regulators identify them The AI Act and CE marking How AI Act compliance integrates CE marking for electronics EMC, LVD, RED & RoHS: which apply CE marking for e-commerce sellers Marketplace obligations under GPSR & MSR Digital Product Passport What it is and which products will need it Machinery Regulation transition Moving from the Directive before 20 January 2027

What changed, and what is next

  • Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 applies from 20 January 2027 and replaces Directive 2006/42/EC. No harmonised standards had been cited under it at 30 October 2026. See the transition guide.
  • Cyber Resilience Act 2024/2847: reporting duties have applied since 11 September 2026, and the Act applies in full from 11 December 2027, when Delegated Regulation 2022/30 on radio cybersecurity is repealed.
  • Construction Products Regulation 2024/3110 has applied in stages since 8 January 2026. Product obligations reach each family one year after its new specification becomes mandatory, and Regulation 305/2011 continues until then, at the latest 8 January 2040.
  • Toy Safety Regulation 2025/2509 entered into force on 1 January 2026. It applies from 1 August 2030 and introduces a Digital Product Passport for toys. Directive 2009/48/EC governs toys until then.
  • General Product Safety Regulation 2023/988 has applied since 13 December 2024. It involves no CE marking, but CE-marked consumer products must still follow its rules on online listings, accidents, marketplaces and recalls.
  • Great Britain recognises CE marking indefinitely for 21 product regulations, and UKCA is optional for those. Some sectors, including medical devices, follow separate UK rules.