§4.5.1.4 Principles of affixing the CE marking

The CE marking must take the form below. If the CE marking is reduced or enlarged the proportions must be respected. The CE marking must be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the product or to its data plate. However, where this is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the product, it must be affixed to the packaging, if any, and/or to the accompanying documents. The CE marking may not, in principle, be affixed until the conformity assessment procedure has been completed to ensure that the product complies with all the provisions of the relevant Union harmonisation acts. This will usually be at the end of the production phase. This poses no problem if, for example, the CE marking is on a data plate that is not affixed to the product until after the final inspection. However, if (for example) the CE marking is affixed by stamping or casting, the marking can be affixed at any other stage of the production phase, provided that the conformity of the product is verified as part of the production process. The requirement for visibility means that the CE marking must be easily accessible for all parties. It could, for instance, be affixed on the back or underside of a product. The requirement for visibility does not necessarily mean that the CE marking must be visible before opening a products’ packaging because affixing the CE marking also to the packaging is only necessary in case this is explicitly required in the relevant Union acts. For products requiring assembly, the CE marking should remain visible after assembly but does not need to be visible after final installation and in normal use. A minimum height of 5 mm is required to ensure that it is legible. However according to the several pieces of legislation (236) the minimum dimension of the CE marking may be waived for small devices or components. The CE marking can take different forms (e.g. colour, solid/hollow) as long as it remains visible, legible and respects its proportions. It must also be indelible so that it cannot be removed under normal circumstances without leaving noticeable traces (for example some product standards provide for a rub test with water and petroleum spirits). It is up to the manufacturer to ensure that its technological solution satisfies the requirements of visibility, legibility and indelibility. (237) Nevertheless, this does not mean that the CE marking must form an integral part of the product. However in certain cases affixing of the CE marking to the product is impossible (for example on certain types of explosives) or not possible under reasonable technical or economic conditions. Furthermore there can be cases where the minimum dimensions for the affixing cannot be respected, or it cannot be ensured that the CE marking is visibly, legibly and indelibly affixed. In such cases, the CE marking can be affixed to the packaging, if it exists, and / or to the accompanying document, where the Union harmonisation legislation concerned provides for such documents. The CE marking on the product may neither be omitted nor be moved to the packaging or accompanying documents on purely aesthetic grounds. Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 and Decision No 768/2008/EC lay down that the CE marking must have the dimensions, format and proportions defined in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 and be legible and clearly affixed. Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 and Decision No 768/2008/EC do not forbid any kind of design (e.g. ‘hollow’ design) as long as the above conditions are respected. However, electronic labelling only is not allowed. In addition, if products are sold online, it is useful that the CE marking and any required warnings according to applicable legislation are indicated in that website and are visible before the end user is carrying out the purchase.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-07