European Union

CE marking for electronics: what the EU requires before you sell

Electronics sold in the EU need CE marking: test to the Radio Equipment Directive (for anything with a radio) or the EMC and Low Voltage Directives, meet RoHS and REACH, prepare a technical file and EU Declaration of Conformity, and appoint an EU-based responsible person. Producers must also register for WEEE, packaging and batteries in each country.

Last reviewed 27 October 2026 · A planning guide, not legal or certification advice.

Check your exact product

Roadblock lists every step that applies to what you’re launching, for each market, in order.

Try: “A Bluetooth speaker with a lithium battery, sold in the EU”

Which directives apply

Products with a radio (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, NFC) fall under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), which covers radio, EMC, safety and RF exposure in one. Products without a radio follow the EMC Directive and, for mains voltage, the Low Voltage Directive. Almost all electrical products also fall under RoHS (restricted substances) and REACH (substances of very high concern). The EU Declaration of Conformity lists every one that applies.

Testing

Radio products are tested to the harmonised standards for each radio, for example EN 300 328 for 2.4 GHz and EN 301 893 for 5 GHz Wi-Fi, plus EMC to the EN 301 489 series and RF exposure. One CB Scheme safety report usually serves every market. Since 1 August 2025, radio equipment that connects to the internet, handles personal data or moves money must also meet the RED cybersecurity requirements, usually by applying EN 18031-1, -2 and -3.

Paperwork and people

You need a technical file, a signed Declaration of Conformity and the CE mark. Under the General Product Safety Regulation you also need a documented risk assessment and a way to handle complaints and recalls. Every product needs an economic operator established in the EU (manufacturer, importer, authorised representative or fulfilment service provider) named on the product or packaging and on online listings.

Producer registrations

Electrical products need WEEE producer registration in each EU country you sell into, packaging needs extended producer responsibility registration in each country, and batteries need battery producer registration. These are yearly fees per country. From 18 February 2027, portable batteries must be removable and replaceable by the user.

Coming next: the Cyber Resilience Act

Products with software and a data connection fall under the Cyber Resilience Act. Actively exploited vulnerabilities must be reported from 11 September 2026, and from 11 December 2027 the product needs secure-by-design documentation, a support period and vulnerability handling as part of CE marking.

Steps, time and cost

Planning ranges from Roadblock’s register (A$, excluding your own staff time). Which steps apply depends on the product; run an analysis for yours.

StepMarketTypical timeTypical cost
Electrical safety testingAll markets4–12 wkA$4,000–40,000
EMC testingAU / NZ / EU2–4 wkA$3,000–18,000
Radio Equipment Directive testingEU3–6 wkA$4,000–15,000
RED cybersecurity requirementsEU4–10 wkA$5,000–25,000
RoHS substance restrictionsEU2–4 wkA$1,000–5,000
REACH Candidate List substances and SCIPEU1–3 wkA$500–3,000
GPSR risk assessment and technical documentationEU2–4 wkA$0–1,000
EU technical file, Declaration of Conformity and CE markingEU1–2 wkA$1,000–5,000
Appoint an EU responsible economic operatorEU2–4 wkA$1,000–5,000
WEEE producer registrationEU2–6 wkA$500–3,000
Packaging rules and packaging EPREU2–4 wkA$500–5,000
EU Batteries RegulationEU2–6 wkA$500–3,000
Cyber Resilience ActEU6–16 wkA$5,000–40,000

Questions

Is CE marking self-declared?

For most consumer electronics, yes: you test, write the technical file and sign the Declaration of Conformity yourself. Some radio products with certain cybersecurity configurations, and other regulated categories, need a notified body.

Do I need an EU representative?

Yes, if there is no manufacturer or importer in the EU. Products sold in the EU need an EU-based economic operator named on the product or packaging and on online listings.

How long does CE marking take?

Typically 6 to 14 weeks from design freeze for testing and documentation. WEEE, packaging and battery registrations run in parallel and take 2 to 6 weeks.

What does CE marking cost for electronics?

For a typical connected device, planning ranges run from about A$20,000 to A$100,000 for testing, the RED cybersecurity assessment and documentation, depending on complexity, plus yearly producer registration fees per country.

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