Affixing the CE mark

Last reviewed: October 2026 · Sources listed at the end of this page.

The CE mark must be affixed visibly, legibly, and indelibly to the product or its data plate before the product is placed on the EU market. Where that is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the product, it goes on the packaging and on any accompanying documents the act provides for. The graphic form, minimum size, and proportions are set in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. Article 30 of the same Regulation states the principles: only the manufacturer or authorised representative may affix it, it must not be applied to products outside the scope of legislation that provides for it, and other markings must not impair its visibility, legibility or meaning.

This page sets out the formal requirements for affixing the mark — graphic, size, location, indelibility — and the rules for the four-digit Notified Body identification number that accompanies the mark where third-party assessment has taken place. The legal nature of CE marking and its meaning are covered in what CE marking is.

Legal basis

• Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, Article 30 (general principles of the CE marking) and Annex II (form of the CE marking).
• Decision No 768/2008/EC, Annex I, Article R12 (rules and conditions for affixing the CE marking and other markings).
• Sectoral acts repeat these provisions and may add specifics — e.g., Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 covers CE marking of machinery; Article 20 of Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) covers medical device-specific marking; Articles 17 and 18 of the Toy Safety Regulation 2025/2509 will cover toys from 1 August 2030.

The graphic form

The CE marking consists of the letters "CE" drawn according to the proportions in Annex II of Regulation 765/2008. The mark is constructed as follows:

• The shape is fixed by a graduated drawing in Annex II. The default minimum height is 5 mm.
• Colour and solid or hollow design are free, as long as the mark stays visible and legible and keeps its proportions (Blue Guide 2022, section 4.5.1.4).
• When the mark is reduced or enlarged from the model in Annex II, the proportions in that Annex must be respected. The Commission publishes a vector version of the mark on its CE marking page.

The figure above is a simplified illustration of the construction principle. The normative graphic is in Annex II of Regulation 765/2008 and in the Commission's downloadable model. Any rendering used by a manufacturer must be derived from the normative version.

Minimum size

The default minimum height is 5 mm (Regulation 765/2008, Annex II, point 3). Sectoral acts may provide otherwise:

• Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU, Article 19(2) — on account of the nature of radio equipment, the mark on the equipment may be lower than 5 mm, provided it remains visible and legible.
• Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745, Annex V — the 5 mm minimum may be waived for small-scale devices.
• Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, Article 17 — does not change the size, but for small toys and toys consisting of small parts the mark may go on a label or accompanying leaflet. From 1 August 2030 the Toy Safety Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 (Article 18) allows the toy, an affixed label, or, where size or nature prevents that, the packaging or accompanying documentation.

Where a sectoral act sets a different minimum, that minimum applies. Without such a provision, the 5 mm default applies.

Placement on the product

The CE mark goes on the product or its data plate. Article R12(1) of Decision 768/2008/EC continues: "Where that is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the product, it shall be affixed to the packaging and to the accompanying documents, where the legislation concerned provides for such documents." The Blue Guide (section 4.5.1.4) gives these examples:

• Impossible — for example on certain types of explosives.
• Not possible under reasonable technical or economic conditions — including cases where the minimum dimensions cannot be respected, or where it cannot be ensured that the mark is visible, legible and indelible.

The mark may not be omitted from the product or moved to the packaging or documents on purely aesthetic grounds. Electronic labelling alone is not allowed.

Marking the packaging as well is required only where the act says so. Examples: the Radio Equipment Directive (Article 20(1)), and toys, where the mark must also be on the packaging if it is not visible from outside (Directive 2009/48/EC, Article 17(1); Regulation 2025/2509, Article 18(1)).

Visibility, legibility, indelibility

Article R12(1) of Decision 768/2008/EC requires the mark to be affixed "visibly, legibly and indelibly". These three criteria mean:

• Visible — easily accessible for all parties. It can be on the back or underside of the product, and need not be visible before the packaging is opened unless the act requires marking on the packaging.
• Legible — readable, with the correct proportions and enough contrast with the surface.
• Indelible — it cannot be removed under normal circumstances without leaving noticeable traces. Some product standards include a rub test with water and petroleum spirits. Engraving, moulding, durable printing or a durable label can all work.

It is up to the manufacturer to choose a method that holds up in the product's use. Where the rated environment includes chemicals, abrasion, UV exposure, or solvents, the method should be chosen accordingly.

The Notified Body identification number

Where a Notified Body has been involved in the production-control phase of the applicable conformity assessment module, its four-digit identification number must follow the CE mark (Decision 768/2008/EC, Annex I, Article R12(3)). Under that general rule, the number appears with:

• Modules D and D1 (production quality assurance)
• Modules E and E1 (product quality assurance)
• Modules F and F1 (product verification)
• Module G (unit verification)
• Modules H and H1 (full quality assurance)
• Modules A1, A2, C1 and C2, if a Notified Body rather than an accredited in-house body carries out the production-phase work

It does not appear with:

• Module A (no Notified Body)
• Module B followed by Module C, where no body is involved in production
• Modules A1, A2, C1 and C2 carried out by an accredited in-house body

Acts can vary the rule. Under the Machinery Regulation (Article 24(3)), the number follows the mark with module B + C, H or G. Under the Radio Equipment Directive (Article 20(3)), it follows the mark only under Annex IV (Module H), and must be the same height as the mark.

The number is affixed by the body itself or, under its instructions, by the manufacturer or authorised representative. Look up a number with the CE number lookup.

Who affixes the mark

Only the manufacturer or its authorised representative acting under written mandate may affix the CE mark (Regulation 765/2008, Article 30(1)). The mark may not, in principle, be affixed until the conformity assessment procedure is complete, and it must be on the product before placing on the market (Article R12(2)). Importers and distributors may not affix the mark; their obligations are to verify its presence and correctness (importer obligations, distributor obligations).

An economic operator placing a product on the market under its own name or trademark, or making substantial modifications to a product already on the market, is treated as the manufacturer (Decision 768/2008/EC, Article R6) and assumes full responsibility for affixing the mark and the underlying conformity assessment.

Other markings

The CE mark may be followed by a pictogram or other mark indicating a special risk or use (Article R12(2)), and may sit alongside markings required by other EU legislation. Examples:

• Ex marking (ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU) — equipment category code, accompanying the CE mark on equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
• Equipment-specific safety symbols — e.g., the IEC 60417 symbols for hot surface, double insulation.
• WEEE crossed-out wheelie bin (Directive 2012/19/EU) — separate symbol for waste electrical and electronic equipment.
• Pictograms required by sectoral acts — toy age warnings, PPE category indicators, medical device patient-warning symbols.

Article 30(5) of Regulation 765/2008 prohibits affixing marks, signs, or inscriptions on a product that are likely to mislead third parties regarding the meaning or form of the CE marking. Decorative use of "CE"-like marks, fictional certification logos, or marks designed to mimic the CE graphic are prohibited.

The "China Export" myth

A claim persists that an unofficial "CE" mark stands for "China Export" and is distinguished from the EU mark by narrower letter spacing. The claim has no basis in EU law. There is one CE marking, defined by Annex II of Regulation 765/2008. A mark with the wrong proportions is simply a non-compliant mark, not a separate scheme.

Affixing on packaging and documents

Where the mark is affixed on packaging or accompanying documents, instead of or in addition to the product:

• The proportions and minimum size apply to each instance of the mark.
• Any required Notified Body number accompanies the mark.
• If the product is sold online, showing the CE mark and any required warnings on the website before purchase is useful (Blue Guide 2022, section 4.5.1.4).

Common errors

• Incorrect proportions. Marks drawn in a generic sans-serif font, with unequal letter heights, or with the wrong arc-to-stroke ratio do not satisfy Annex II. Manufacturers should derive the mark from the Commission's vector source rather than redrawing it.
• Under-sized marks. A mark less than 5 mm high without sectoral derogation. Aesthetics do not justify it.
• Removable labels failing indelibility. A sticker that can be taken off under normal circumstances without leaving traces fails the test.
• Notified Body number with no Notified Body engagement. The number states that a body was involved. Affixing it when none was misrepresents the conformity assessment.
• Notified Body number for a body that was engaged only for Module B. Module B is design-only. As a general rule, the number of a body involved only in design does not follow the mark; the Machinery Regulation is an exception (Article 24(3)).
• Mark on packaging only when on-product marking is feasible. Purely aesthetic reasons do not qualify.
• CE alongside misleading marks. Decorative "approved" or "certified" logos placed near the CE mark may suggest a certification scheme that does not exist.
• CE on a product not within scope of any act. Affixing the mark to a product not covered by a CE-mandating act is itself an infringement (Article 30(2)).

Worked example: a small wireless sensor

A 30 mm × 30 mm wireless sensor placed on the market under the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU and the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, with an internal coin cell subject to the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, needs the CE mark on the product. Article 19(2) of the Radio Equipment Directive allows a mark lower than 5 mm on the equipment, provided it stays visible and legible. The mark must also appear on the packaging (Article 20(1)). If a Notified Body was engaged (for example, under the cybersecurity requirements applied by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 where harmonised standards have not been applied in full), its four-digit number follows the CE mark only where full quality assurance (Module H, RED Annex IV) was used, at the same height as the mark. Under EU type-examination (Module B + C) no number is added (RED Article 20(3)).

Frequently asked questions

What are the official CE logo dimensions?

The mark must be at least 5 mm high unless a sectoral act says otherwise, and its proportions must follow the graphic in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. The law sets no maximum size, so the mark can be enlarged as long as the proportions are kept.

Is there an official CE logo file to download?

The European Commission publishes the official CE marking artwork on its CE marking pages. Using that file avoids distorted proportions.

Does the CE mark have to be a particular colour?

No colour is prescribed, and solid or hollow forms are both allowed. The mark must be visible, legible and indelible, so it needs enough contrast with the surface it sits on.

Does the CE mark have to be engraved or etched?

No. Printing, moulding, engraving, etching and durable labels are all acceptable if the result is indelible for the product's expected life. A sticker that can be removed under normal circumstances without leaving traces does not qualify.

Where does the Notified Body number go?

After the CE mark, generally only when a Notified Body took part in the production-control phase; some acts vary this. Look up any number in the NANDO database.

Sources

• Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, Article 30 and Annex II — EUR-Lex.
• Decision No 768/2008/EC, Article R12 — EUR-Lex.
• European Commission — Affixing the CE marking — single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu.
• Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR), Article 20 and Annex V — EUR-Lex.
• Commission Notice — Blue Guide 2022, Section 4.5 — EUR-Lex.