What the standard defines
CE marking is not a standard but a legal mechanism. By affixing the mark, a manufacturer declares that the product meets the requirements of every EU directive or regulation that applies to it — low voltage, electromagnetic compatibility, radio equipment, restriction of hazardous substances, and others depending on the product.
Behind the mark sits a declaration of conformity: a document that names the product, lists the legislation claimed, lists the harmonised standards used to demonstrate it, and is signed on behalf of the manufacturer.
What it does not promise
It does not assert quality, durability or performance. Two products can both carry the mark and differ enormously in how long they last.
It is also not, in most categories, the result of an independent test. Where a notified body has been involved, a four-digit number appears next to the mark; where it has not, the assertion is the manufacturer’s own. A mark applied where it should not be is a compliance matter for the authorities, not something a specification sheet reveals.
What it works with
Nearly every electrical product on this site carries the mark, so its presence distinguishes nothing. What distinguishes a listing is whether the maker names the specific standards it was assessed against — IEC 62619 for cells, IEC 62109 for converters, the grid code for an inverter — and whether a declaration can be obtained. That is what the product pages report.
What people ask before they order
Does a CE mark mean an independent laboratory approved the product?
Not by itself. For many product categories the manufacturer declares conformity on its own assessment. Where a notified body is involved, its number appears beside the mark — and that difference is worth reading.
What should I be able to ask for?
A declaration of conformity: a document naming the product, the directives it claims to meet, the standards used, and the person signing for the manufacturer. Sellers in the EU are expected to be able to supply it.
Last reviewed 16 September 2026