Many products require CE marking before they can be sold in the EU market. With this marking, the manufacturer indicates that a product meets the requirements set out in EU product standards. The marking allows the product to circulate and be marketed freely within the EU, regardless of where it is manufactured.
When is CE marking required?
CE marking is required only for products covered by harmonized EU standards that specifically require it. Below is a non-exhaustive list of products covered by EU legislation—under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy—that require this marking:
- toys, electrical and electronic equipment
- certain types of pressure equipment, gas appliances, and machinery
- weighing and measuring instruments
- personal protective equipment.
For more detailed information, please refer to the complete list of European regulations regarding the product categories subject to CE marking requirements.
Products that do not require CE marking are nonetheless subject to general product safety requirements, in accordance with the relevant legislation.
Some products may be subject to multiple EU requirements at the same time.
In such cases, before affixing the CE marking, it is necessary to ensure full compliance with all relevant requirements.
Who is responsible for the CE marking?
The manufacturer is responsible for carrying out the conformity and safety assessment procedure for its products and, where required, affixing the CE marking.
A manufacturer is defined as anyone who directly manufactures a product or markets it under their own name or brand. The manufacturer is responsible for the conformity of the entire product, including components or systems supplied by others, and has a series of specific obligations regarding it. However, the importer or authorized representative may also have specific responsibilities regarding the CE marking.
How do you obtain the CE marking?
There is no central body or authority responsible for issuing a permit or certificate authorizing the use of the CE marking. However, before affixing it to products, the manufacturer must:
- identify all relevant EU-level product requirements
- determine whether the product’s conformity assessment can be carried out in-house or whether a Notified Body must be involved
- prepare the technical documentation
- draft and sign the EU Declaration of Conformity.
Once the product bears the CE marking, it may be placed on the EU market, and the competent National Surveillance Authorities, identified by Legislative Decree No. 157 of October 12, 2022, may carry out conformity checks.
Upon request by the competent Authority, the responsible economic operator must provide all information and supporting technical documentation regarding the product’s conformity.
What is a Notified Body?
A Notified Body is an independent organization authorized by an EU country to assess product conformity when required by law. It is used for third-party conformity assessment, typically for higher-risk products.
To determine whether a Notified Body is required, you can check the conformity assessment procedure set out in the applicable EU legislation.
You can search for Notified Bodies in the NANDO database:
- by searching by product category or legislation
- by ensuring that the Notified Body you choose is authorized to perform the specific conformity assessment procedure required for your product under EU law.
If a Notified Body is used, its 4-digit ID number must always appear next to the CE marking.
Some organizations offer “voluntary certificates” that are not valid for CE marking and are not legally recognized.
The CE marking may only be affixed after the product has successfully undergone the appropriate conformity assessment as defined by EU legislation, and only if it is relevant to the product.
How should the CE marking be affixed?
The marking must be visible, legible, and indelible. It must also comply with the design and placement requirements set forth in Regulation (EC) 765/2008.
The CE marking must meet the following design requirements:
- it must consist of the initials “CE”
- both letters must have the same vertical dimension
- minimum dimensions: 5 mm (unless otherwise specified by product-specific regulations)
- if the dimensions are modified, the proportions of the letters must be maintained
- the marking may appear in different styles (e.g., in color, with solid letters, or with outlines only), provided it remains clearly legible.
The CE marking must meet the following placement requirements:
- it should preferably be affixed directly to the product
- if this is not possible, it may be affixed to the packaging or to the accompanying documents.
See also
Regulatory References
- EU Decision on a Common Framework for the Marketing of Products
- EU Regulation on Product Requirements and Market Surveillance
This page is part of the European Commission’s Your Europe portal.
Did you find what you were looking for?
Help us improve