Compliance Checklist
CE marking for electronic products on Amazon Germany: directives, testing procedures, costs and common mistakes at a glance.
Overview
CE marking is mandatory for virtually all electronic products on Amazon.de. It confirms that the product complies with all relevant EU directives – particularly the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), the EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) and, if applicable, the Radio Equipment Directive RED (2014/53/EU). No electronic product may be sold in the EU without CE marking.
Does this apply to my product?
The CE marking obligation applies to all electronic products sold on Amazon.de: consumer electronics, chargers, cables, LED lighting, smart home devices, Bluetooth accessories, power banks, USB devices and all products that run on electricity or generate electromagnetic fields. Battery-operated devices also fall under this obligation.
Step-by-Step Guide
Determine which EU directives apply to your electronic product. Most electronic products fall under multiple directives simultaneously.
Estimated time: 1-2 Tage
Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU checkedRequired
Applies to electrical equipment with rated voltage 50-1000V AC or 75-1500V DC. Covers most mains-powered devices. Battery-powered devices under 50V are exempt but may fall under general product safety.
EMC Directive 2014/30/EU checkedRequired
Applies to ALL devices that can cause electromagnetic interference or be affected by it. In practice, this affects almost every electronic product.
Radio Equipment Directive RED 2014/53/EU checkedRequired
Mandatory for all devices with radio: Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, Zigbee, Z-Wave, cellular. For RED-obligated devices, a Notified Body is often required.
For each applicable directive there are harmonized EN standards that trigger a presumption of conformity. Finding the right standard and having it tested is the core of the CE process.
Estimated time: 1-3 Tage
Applicable harmonized standards identifiedRequired
Typical standards: EN 62368-1 (Audio/Video/IT), EN 60335 (Household appliances), EN 55032 (EMC emissions), EN 55035 (EMC immunity), EN 62311 (EMF exposure). The current list is in the EU Official Journal.
Accredited test laboratory selectedRequired
Choose an ISO 17025 accredited test laboratory. In Germany: TUeV, DEKRA, SGS, Intertek or specialized EMC labs. No Notified Body is needed for LVD and EMC tests – but often required for RED.
The core step: your product is tested against the harmonized standards. For most electronic products, internal production control (Module A) is sufficient – you can declare conformity yourself.
Estimated time: 2-6 Wochen
EMC tests passed (emission + immunity)Required
EMC tests check whether the device interferes with other devices (emission) and whether it is immune to interference (immunity). If failed: redesign, improve shielding, add filters.
Safety tests passed (LVD)Required
Electrical safety tests: insulation resistance, creepage distances, temperature rise, earth continuity, fault condition scenarios. Particularly critical for mains-powered devices.
RED tests passed (if radio product)
Radio tests: transmit power, frequency accuracy, spurious emissions, receiver performance. For certain radio devices, involvement of a Notified Body is required.
The technical documentation must contain the complete proof of conformity and be kept for 10 years. It must be available to market surveillance authorities on request.
Estimated time: 3-5 Tage
Technical documentation compiledRequired
Content: product description, circuit diagrams/layouts, applied standards, test reports, risk assessment, production controls, photos of labeling, user manual.
User manual in German language availableRequired
For the German market, a user manual in German language is mandatory. It must contain safety instructions, intended use and disposal instructions.
The formal declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all requirements. Together with the CE marking on the product, this is the visible conclusion of the conformity procedure.
Estimated time: 1-2 Tage
EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) prepared and signedRequired
The DoC must contain: manufacturer/importer data, product identification, all applied directives and standards, date and signature of a responsible person. For electronics typically: LVD + EMC + RED if applicable + RoHS.
CE marking correctly affixed on productRequired
The CE mark must be visibly, legibly and permanently affixed to the product. Minimum height 5mm. The proportions of the mark are legally defined (two interlocking semicircles). For RED: Notified Body number behind the CE mark if applicable.
In addition to CE marking on the product, you must complete further registrations for the Amazon.de marketplace and provide the listing with the correct compliance data.
Estimated time: 2-5 Tage
GPSR mandatory fields in Amazon Seller Central completedRequired
Since December 2024, Amazon requires the specification of the responsible person, manufacturer data and contact information. These must automatically be provided with CE marking.
Compliance documents uploaded for AmazonRequired
Upload the DoC and test reports to Seller Central. Amazon may request these during compliance checks. Keep documents up to date at all times.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Simply accepting the CE mark from the supplier without own verification
Consequence: As an importer, YOU are responsible – not the supplier. Chinese CE marks are often non-compliant. Market surveillance checks can result in fines up to 100,000 EUR.
Prevention: Request complete technical documentation, DoC and test reports from the supplier. Have critical tests repeated in the EU.
Only testing EMC, forgetting the Low Voltage Directive
Consequence: Incomplete CE marking. The DoC is flawed as not all directives are covered. Product may not be sold.
Prevention: Create a complete list of all applicable directives at the beginning. Most electronic products need at least LVD + EMC, often additionally RED and RoHS.
Product modification after certification without re-evaluation
Consequence: The CE marking becomes invalid. Any significant change (e.g. different chip, different power supply, changed layout) requires re-evaluation.
Prevention: Document every change. For significant changes: update risk assessment and repeat affected tests. Record minor changes in technical documentation.
CE mark in wrong proportions or too small
Consequence: Formally invalid CE marking. Market surveillance can prohibit placing on the market.
Prevention: Use the official CE template from the EU Commission. Minimum height 5mm, correct proportions (both letters are based on a grid with defined geometry).
No German user manual included
Consequence: Violation of the ProdSG (Product Safety Act). Amazon customers complain, negative reviews, worst case product recall by authorities.
Prevention: Every electronic product for Amazon.de needs instructions in German. Minimum: safety instructions, operating instructions, technical specifications, disposal instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. As an importer, you are responsible for conformity under EU law. Many Chinese CE marks are based on insufficient or falsified test reports. Request the complete technical documentation and have critical tests repeated in an EU-accredited laboratory. The costs are significantly lower than a fine or recall.
It depends. If harmonized standards exist for the radio module (e.g. EN 300 328 for 2.4 GHz WiFi/Bluetooth), you can declare conformity yourself (Module A). If no harmonized standards are applicable or you deviate from them, a Notified Body must be involved (Module B+C or B+D). Check the current standards list in the EU Official Journal.
For a simple battery-powered device without radio (e.g. LED flashlight): approx. 1,500-3,000 EUR for tests and documentation. For a mains-powered device with Bluetooth: approx. 5,000-12,000 EUR. Complex products with multiple radio standards can cost up to 15,000 EUR and more.
10 years from the last placing on the market. This means: as long as you sell the product, PLUS 10 years after. Store documents both digitally and physically. Market surveillance authorities (in DE the BAuA) can request documentation at any time.
No. FCC (USA) and CE (EU) are completely different regulatory systems with different limits and test procedures. However, some test data (e.g. EMC emissions) can serve as a basis, which can speed up and reduce the cost of EU tests. Talk to your test laboratory about a combined testing strategy.