The term CE certificate often refers to documentation accompanying CE marking. CE marking is required only for products covered by harmonised EU rules that specifically require it. Products outside those rules must not carry CE marking, although other product safety requirements may apply. This also applies when importing products or selling through bol.com. This guide explains which products need CE marking, what documentation is involved and how to check the applicable requirements.
Check the requirements for your product in the official EU guidance on CE marking. It also explains when a declaration of conformity and an independent assessment are needed.
What is a CE certificate, exactly?
The CE abbreviation stands for Conformité Européenne - European conformity. The CE marking indicates that a product meets all relevant EU directives regarding health, safety, and environmental protection. It's not a quality seal in the classical sense, but a legal declaration by the manufacturer that the product complies with European standards.
Important: technically speaking, there's no such thing as a "CE certificate" as an official document. What's often meant is the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) that the manufacturer draws up. Additionally, there are test reports from laboratories that demonstrate the product meets specific standards. The combination of these documents is what's commonly referred to as a CE certificate.
Why is the CE marking mandatory?
The CE marking serves multiple purposes that are crucial for both consumer protection and the functioning of the European internal market:
- Consumer safety - products must be safe for use by consumers and professionals
- Free movement of goods - a CE-marked product can be freely traded in all 30 EEA countries
- Fair competition - all manufacturers must meet the same minimum requirements
- Market surveillance - authorities can enforce uniform standards
Without a CE marking, customs can hold up your products, bol.com can remove your offers, and you risk fines of up to hundreds of thousands of euros. Use the Product Database to check which products on bol.com are already CE-marked.
Which products require a CE marking?
Not all products require a CE marking - only those that fall under specific EU harmonization directives. The following table provides an overview of the main product categories and corresponding directives:
| Product category | EU directive | Examples | Notified Body required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toys | 2009/48/EG | Dolls, puzzles, building sets | Sometimes (chemical tests) |
| Electrical appliances (low voltage) | 2014/35/EU (LVD) | Chargers, lamps, kitchen machines | No (self-certification) |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | 2014/30/EU (EMC) | Electronics, Bluetooth devices | No (self-certification) |
| Machines | 2006/42/EG | Tools, industrial machines | Sometimes (Annex IV products) |
| Medical devices | MDR 2017/745 | Blood pressure meters, thermometers | Yes (class Is and higher) |
| Personal protective equipment | 2016/425 (PPE) | Helmets, safety glasses, gloves | Yes (category II and III) |
| Radio equipment | 2014/53/EU (RED) | Wifi routers, drones, smartphones | Sometimes (frequency-dependent) |
| Construction products | 305/2011 (CPR) | Insulation materials, frames | Dependent on system |
| Gas appliances | 2016/426 (GAR) | Gas stoves, central heating boilers | Yes |
| Pressure equipment | 2014/68/EU (PED) | Compressors, high-pressure cleaners | Dependent on category |
Products that do not fall under a specific EU directive - think of furniture, clothing (without PPE function) or kitchen utensils without electrical components - do not need a CE marking. They must, of course, comply with the General Product Safety Directive.
Products from China and CE marking
Many bol.com sellers import products from China. Note: the Chinese China Export marking looks visually similar to the CE logo but has a completely different meaning. The difference lies in the spacing of the letters. Always check if your supplier offers an EU-compliant CE marking with accompanying documentation. Use the Product Tracker to monitor which competitors offer products without a valid CE marking.
The CE marking process: step by step
Applying for CE compliance follows a structured process. Below are the six steps you need to go through:
Step 1: Determine applicable directives
Identify which EU directives apply to your product. For example, an electric toy may fall under both the Toy Directive and the EMC and LVD directives. Consult the European Commission website for a complete overview.
Step 2: Check harmonized standards
Each directive has harmonized standards (EN standards) that describe technical specifications. By complying with these standards, it is assumed that the product complies with the directive - the so-called presumption of conformity.
Step 3: Determine if a Notified Body is required
For many products, you can apply self-certification: the manufacturer assesses whether the product meets the requirements. For products with increased risk (such as medical devices class IIa and higher), a Notified Body - an EU-recognized certification body - must perform the assessment.
Step 4: Test the product
Conduct the necessary tests, possibly at an accredited laboratory. Think of EMC tests, safety tests, chemical analyses (REACH, RoHS) and mechanical strength. Store all test results carefully.
Step 5: Compile the technical file
The technical file contains all documentation that proves your product meets the requirements. This includes: product description, design drawings, test reports, risk analysis, list of applied standards, and the declaration of conformity. This file must be kept for at least 10 years after the last production date.
Step 6: Draw up the declaration of conformity and affix the CE marking
The EU declaration of conformity is the official document in which the manufacturer declares that the product complies with all applicable directives. After signing, you may affix the CE marking to the product. The logo must be at least 5 mm in size, visible, legible, and indelible.
Also, read our detailed guide on applying for a CE certificate for a comprehensive manual of each step.
Costs of CE certification in 2026
The costs for CE certification vary widely, depending on the type of product, the number of applicable directives, and whether a Notified Body is involved. Below is an indicative cost overview:
| Cost item | Self-certification | With Notified Body |
|---|---|---|
| Harmonized standards (purchase) | €50 – €500 | €50 – €500 |
| Laboratory tests (EMC/LVD) | €500 – €3,000 | €500 – €3,000 |
| Toy tests (EN 71) | €800 – €2,500 | €800 – €2,500 |
| Chemical analyses (REACH/RoHS) | €300 – €1,500 | €300 – €1,500 |
| Risk analysis preparation | €500 – €2,000 | €500 – €2,000 |
| Technical file compilation | €500 – €3,000 | €500 – €3,000 |
| Notified Body assessment | N/A | €2,000 – €15,000 |
| Declaration of conformity | Free (self-prepared) | Included |
| Total indicative | €1,850 – €12,500 | €4,650 – €27,500 |
For bol.com sellers who import multiple products, the costs can quickly add up. Always calculate the CE costs in your Profit Calculator to prevent your margin from evaporating.
Responsibilities: manufacturer, importer, and distributor
The responsibility for CE compliance differs per role in the supply chain:
Manufacturer
The manufacturer bears primary responsibility. They must design and produce the product in accordance with the applicable directives, compile the technical file, draw up and sign the declaration of conformity, and affix the CE marking.
Importer
As a bol.com seller who imports products from outside the EEA, you are legally considered an importer. You are required to verify that the manufacturer has correctly followed all CE procedures. You must be able to provide the technical file to market surveillance authorities and include your name and contact details on the product or packaging.
Distributor
The distributor must have sufficient knowledge to recognize products that clearly do not meet the requirements. They must be able to provide a statement from the manufacturer or importer that the products are compliant. Use the Sales Dashboard to monitor your product portfolio and keep documentation per product up to date.
CE marking on bol.com and Amazon
Online marketplaces are imposing stricter requirements for CE compliance. Bol.com can remove products that do not demonstrably comply, and Amazon has a system with the Product Compliance Portal where sellers must actively upload CE documentation.
Practical tips for bol.com sellers:
- Mention CE compliance in your product description - this creates trust with buyers
- Upload certification documents via the sales account when bol.com requests them
- Keep the technical file digitally available - market surveillance can request it
- Check if your supplier provides a valid test report and declaration of conformity
- Use the Listing Generator AI to professionally process CE information in your listing
Common mistakes in CE marking
During the CE marking process, mistakes are regularly made that can have serious consequences:
Mistake 1: Confusing the CE certificate with the declaration of conformity
There is no official "CE certificate". What manufacturers sometimes call it is a test report from a laboratory. The actual declaration of conformity is a separate document drawn up and signed by the manufacturer itself. Read more about this in our article on CE certification.
Mistake 2: Relying on supplier documentation without verification
Chinese manufacturers often provide documentation that is incomplete or falsified. In case of doubt, have independent testing done by a European laboratory. The costs of this do not outweigh the risks of non-compliance.
Mistake 3: Considering the China Export marking as CE marking
The Chinese "CE" marking (China Export) looks very similar to the European CE logo, but the letters are closer together. This is not a valid CE marking and products with only this logo may not be sold in the EER.
Mistake 4: Not identifying all applicable directives
A product can fall under multiple directives. For example, an electric toy must comply with the Toy Directive, the LVD Directive, and the EMC Directive. Missing one directive means that the CE marking is invalid.
Mistake 5: Not keeping the technical file up to date
When products are changed, the technical file must be updated. Also, when standards are revised, you should check if your product still complies with the latest version.
CE marking logo: technical requirements
The CE logo must meet strict graphical requirements:
- Minimum height of 5 mm (unless otherwise specified in the directive)
- The logo's proportions must match the official grid model
- It must be visibly, legibly, and indelibly affixed
- Preferably on the product itself; otherwise on the packaging or accompanying documents
- If a Notified Body was involved, the four-digit number of the Notified Body must be specified next to the CE logo
Frequently asked questions about the CE certificate
Is a CE marking the same as a CE certificate?
Not exactly. The CE marking is the physical logo on the product. A "CE certificate" is an informal term that usually refers to the EU declaration of conformity or test reports. Officially, the CE certificate as a document does not exist.
Can I apply a CE marking myself?
Yes, for products where self-certification is allowed. You must then correctly go through all the steps of the conformity process and compile the technical file. For products that require a Notified Body, you must first involve one.
What happens if I sell without a CE marking?
Market regulators can remove your products from the market, impose fines, and in severe cases, prosecute you. Bol.com and Amazon can remove your offers or suspend your sales account.
How long is a CE marking valid?
A CE marking has no expiration date, but it's tied to the unchanged product and applicable standards. If your product changes or standards are revised, you need to reassess whether the product still complies.
Do I need to apply for a CE marking for each product separately?
Yes, each individual product type requires its own conformity assessment, technical file, and declaration of conformity. Variants of the same product (e.g., different colors) may sometimes fall under a single assessment if the changes don't affect compliance.
Where can I find a Notified Body?
The European Commission maintains the NANDO database, which lists all recognized Notified Bodies per directive. In the Netherlands, well-known Notified Bodies include TÜV, SGS, DEKRA, and Kiwa.