Home / Logistics Knowledge / CE Marking: What It Is and Which Products Need It (EU & UK)
CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that a product meets EU health, safety and environmental rules. It is required for more than 60 product categories before they can be sold in the European Economic Area.
CE is not a quality certificate and it is not issued by a government agency. It is the manufacturer's own written declaration that the product complies with all applicable EU directives and regulations. Without a valid CE mark, most regulated products cannot be legally placed on the EEA market.
CE marking applies across the 30-country European Economic Area: the 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Over 60 product categories require it.
| Product group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Electrical and electronic equipment | Household appliances, IT equipment, cables |
| Machinery | Industrial and consumer machines |
| Toys | All toys for children under 14 |
| Personal protective equipment (PPE) | Gloves, helmets, safety footwear |
| Medical devices | From bandages to imaging equipment |
| Construction products | Building materials and systems |
| Radio and wireless equipment | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, telecom devices |
| Pressure equipment and lifts | Boilers, gas systems, elevators |
| Batteries | Covered under the EU Battery Regulation |
| High-risk AI systems and cyber products | Required from 2026 under the EU AI Act and Cyber Resilience Act |
Since the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (effective 1 October 2024), Great Britain recognises CE marking indefinitely across 21 product regulations. UKCA remains valid but is optional for those goods. A CE-marked product can therefore enter the GB market without UKCA re-certification. For Northern Ireland, the Windsor Framework keeps EU rules in force, so CE is required there as well.
A few areas sit outside the general CE recognition: medical devices, construction products, marine equipment, rail interoperability products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment, and unmanned aircraft systems. Medical-device CE recognition in Great Britain is extended to 2028 or 2030 depending on class.
No. It is the manufacturer's self-declaration of legal compliance with EU rules, not an independent quality grade. A Notified Body is only involved for higher-risk product categories.
Yes. Great Britain recognises CE marking indefinitely for most product categories since October 2024, so UKCA certification is optional for those goods.
Yes. Under the Windsor Framework, EU rules apply in Northern Ireland, and CE is required. A UKCA mark alone is not valid there.
High-risk AI systems (under the EU AI Act) and cybersecurity products (under the Cyber Resilience Act) joined the CE-marked product list from 2026.
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