CE Marking
Sports & Fitness
France 🇫🇷

Perform PPE categorization per (EU) 2016/425Required

Determine the PPE risk category of your product: Category I (minimal risks — e.g., gardening gloves), Category II (intermediate risks — e.g., ski helmets, knee guards), or Category III (lethal risks — e.g., climbing equipment, fall protection). Categories II and III require involvement of a Notified Body (Organisme Notifie). Check Annex I of the regulation for essential health and safety requirements.

Verify Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC applicabilityRequired

Check whether your fitness equipment qualifies as machinery under the Machinery Directive. Motorized treadmills, elliptical trainers with electric resistance, and other equipment with moving parts and drive systems fall under its scope. Identify relevant harmonized standards, particularly EN ISO 20957 (Stationary training equipment) and EN 957-6 (Treadmills).

Verify Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU applicabilityRequired

Electronic fitness devices operating on alternating current between 50 and 1000 V or direct current between 75 and 1500 V are subject to the Low Voltage Directive. This applies to mains-powered treadmills, vibration platforms, electric massage guns, and similar devices. Relevant harmonized standards: EN 62841 and IEC 60335-1 (Safety of household electrical appliances).

Prepare technical documentation (Dossier Technique)Required

Prepare complete technical documentation according to the requirements of applicable directives. This must include: general product description, design drawings, material specifications, risk analysis/assessment, applied harmonized standards, test reports, user instructions in French (notice d'utilisation en francais), and manufacturing control procedures. Documentation must be kept for 10 years after the last unit is placed on the market.

Conduct product testing per harmonized standardsRequired

Have your product tested in an accredited testing laboratory according to relevant harmonized standards. For PPE: EN 1078 (cycling helmets), EN 1621-1 (limb protectors), EN 166 (eye protection), EN 12492 (climbing helmets). For fitness equipment: EN ISO 20957-1 (general safety), EN 957-6 (treadmills), EN 957-5 (exercise bikes). For electrical devices: EN 60335-1 and relevant parts of the EN 60335-2 series. Test reports must come from an ILAC-accredited laboratory.

Engage Notified Body (Organisme Notifie) (if required)Required

For PPE Categories II and III, an EU type-examination (Module B) by a Notified Body is mandatory. For PPE Category III, ongoing production surveillance is additionally required (Module C2 or D). For machinery listed in Annex IV of the Machinery Directive (e.g., saws, certain presses), a Notified Body is also required — standard fitness equipment, however, typically does not fall under Annex IV. Find the appropriate Notified Body via the European Commission's NANDO database.

Prepare EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC)Required

Prepare the EU Declaration of Conformity according to the requirements of applicable directives. The DoC must include: manufacturer name and address, product identification (model, type, batch), all applicable EU directives and regulations, applied harmonized standards, Notified Body identification number where applicable, place and date of issue, name and function of signatory. The DoC must be available in the language of the Member State where the product is made available — i.e., in French (or at minimum with a French translation).

Affix CE marking correctlyRequired

Affix the CE mark visibly, legibly, and indelibly on the product or its data plate. Minimum height is 5 mm, maintaining the proportions of the CE mark. For PPE Categories II and III, the four-digit identification number of the Notified Body must appear directly alongside the CE mark (e.g., CE 0123). For machinery, the CE mark must be placed near the manufacturer's name using the same technique. Ensure no other markings are present that could be confused with the CE mark.

Prepare French user instructions and safety noticesRequired

Per Art. L.111-1 Code de la Consommation and the Loi Toubon, all user instructions, safety notices, and warnings must be in French (notice d'utilisation en francais). This includes: assembly instructions, safety warnings, maintenance instructions, weight limits for fitness equipment, usage restrictions for PPE, and information on lifespan and replacement intervals. Pictograms alone are insufficient — they must be supplemented with French text.

Ensure product labeling and traceabilityRequired

Ensure the product bears the following information: manufacturer name and address (or authorized representative in the EU), product type/model designation, batch/serial number for traceability, and for imported goods additionally the importer's name and address. For PPE, size/adjustment information, expiry date (if relevant), and protection class must additionally be specified. For fitness equipment, maximum user weight and installation conditions are required.

Designate EU Authorized Representative (Mandataire)Required

Designate an EU Authorized Representative (Mandataire) if the manufacturer is based outside the EEA. The representative must: keep the EU Declaration of Conformity and technical documentation available for authorities, cooperate with market surveillance authorities (DGCCRF, DREETS), and be able to provide all required information and documents upon request. Alternatively, an EU-based importer can partially fulfill this role. The representative's name and address must appear on the product or packaging.

Designate responsible person per (EU) 2019/1020Required

Per Market Surveillance Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 (Art. 4), a responsible person established in the EU must be designated who ensures that the EU Declaration of Conformity and technical documentation have been prepared, that traceability is ensured, and who serves as the contact for market surveillance authorities. This information must appear on the product, packaging, or accompanying documents. Amazon.fr increasingly requires proof of a responsible person for marketplace listings.

Upload compliance documents to Amazon Seller CentralRequired

Upload the following documents via Amazon Seller Central (section 'Compliance Documents' or 'Product Compliance'): EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), test reports per harmonized standards, EU type-examination certificate from Notified Body (for PPE Cat. II/III), photos of CE marking on the product, proof of EU Authorized Representative/responsible person. Amazon.fr may additionally request the French user manual. Respond to compliance requests within 30 days to avoid listing suppression.

Complete listing information on Amazon.frRequired

Ensure your Amazon.fr listing contains all mandatory information: mention CE marking in product title or bullet points, provide 'Fabricant' (manufacturer) and 'Pays d'origine' (country of origin) in product attributes, include safety notices and warnings in French in the product description, complete ASIN-specific compliance attributes (GTIN, manufacturer reference, applicable directives). Ensure product images clearly show the CE marking.