When you import a product from China, and want to resell it in Italy, you must be sure that this product complies with EU regulations and be provided with the CE mark in order to enter the European market.
In this article, we will try to simplify this process and identify which products need the CE mark, how the directives are applied and who is responsible for ensuring this compliance.
To sell a product in the European Union, it must comply with one or more directives: there are directives that apply to large categories, others that concern specific products, for example the world of toys and characterized by a depth of important directives, in order to ensure the safety of children. In this sense, the CE mark is not a product directive but a conformity mark that certifies that the product in question complies with the EC directives in force.
The application of the directives varies according to which specific products it regulates: some deal with energy efficiency, others deal with toxic substances, others with energy security; There are also directives that regulate the labeling to be applied to the product unit, the packaging and the user manual. It is not enough to affix the CE mark to comply with these directives: the products must comply with the technical requirements specified in the EU and it is not possible to sell goods in the EU that do not comply with the directives as the shipment would be stopped at customs, the goods seized and penalties would also be incurred to be paid.
Which products require CE marking?
Most directives regulate entire product categories;
Below is a list of products that require the CE Marking in order to be safely imported into Italy:
- active implantable medical devices;
- medical devices;
- in vitro medical diagnostic devices;
- gas appliances;
- toys;
- hardware;
- vertical road signs;
- personal protective equipment;
- building materials and products;
- cableways for the transport of people;
- eco-design of products related to energy consumption;
- equipment for measuring electromagnetic compatibility;
- protective devices against explosive atmospheres;
- hot water cylinders powered by liquid or gaseous fuel;
- refrigerators and freezers for domestic use;
- pressure vessels;
- weighing instruments;
- non-automatic weighing instruments;
- pressure instruments;
- pyrotechnic devices;
- radio and telecommunications devices;
- equipment with noise emission into the environment;
- hobby and leisure products;
What happens if the products to be imported do not have the CE mark
In the event that you want to market products from outside the EU in the European territory, the person responsible for these products is the importer.
The importer is responsible for all CE marked products marketed by him in the European territory, and therefore will have to answer for any non-compliance of the latter.
In the case of goods produced outside the EU, the manufacturer and importer are understood as the same person and, in this, are equally responsible for non-compliance with European directives. In the event that the importer is unable to demonstrate compliance with the EC directives at customs, the goods will be stopped, in order to avoid introducing products that do not comply with the safety directives into the European territory.
In some cases, moreover, compliance with more than one directive is necessary, as in the case of electric toys.
EU regulators can also request certifications after the goods have arrived at their destination: in this case, if the importer does not provide all the necessary documents, the goods are seized, sanctioning the importer for this.
In order to import CE marked goods without running into problems, you must try to make the correct choices both in terms of the choice of supplier and by defining the correct tests to be carried out with the laboratory.
It should be emphasized that the laboratory is not responsible, unless agreements are made to this effect, for the introduction of a non-compliant product as it is only the importer who is responsible for this lack
We only use suppliers who have passed our on-site test, in order to verify the quality of the work and the general conditions of the structure, in order to guarantee our customers a pool of safe and quality suppliers, reducing the possibility of running into scams or problems once the product has been imported.
