CE Marking for Electronics: LVD, EMC and RED Requirements for Cross-Border Sellers

Yes. A USB charger/mains adapter is electrical equipment rated below 1000V AC and must comply with: LVD 2014/35/EU (safety — tested to EN 62368-1), EMC Directive 2014/30/EU (electromagnetic compatibility — tested to EN 55032/55035), and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (restriction of hazardous substances). If the charger includes wireless charging (Qi), it may also need RED compliance. You need test reports from an accredited lab, a technical file, and an EU Declaration of Conformity. The CE mark must be on the charger housing or, if too small, on the packaging.

Any device with WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRa, cellular (4G/5G), NFC or RFID must comply with the Radio Equipment Directive (RED 2014/53/EU) in addition to LVD (if applicable) and EMC. RED covers radio spectrum efficiency, electromagnetic compatibility, safety, health (SAR limits for body-worn devices), and data protection (for connected devices). RED conformity assessment: Module A (self-certification) for most consumer devices; Notified Body required for certain categories (e.g., devices operating in harmonised frequency bands with specific technical requirements). Test standards: EN 300 328 (WiFi), EN 300 330 (short-range), EN 301 489 (EMC for radio).

Testing costs vary by product complexity: simple LED lamp (LVD + EMC): €800-€2,000; USB charger (LVD + EMC + RoHS): €1,500-€3,500; WiFi/Bluetooth device (LVD + EMC + RED): €3,000-€8,000; complex smart home device (multiple directives + multiple radio modules): €5,000-€15,000+. These are lab testing fees only — Notified Body certification (if required) adds €2,000-€10,000. Testing takes 2-6 weeks depending on lab workload. Accredited labs in China (e.g., TÜV SÜD Shenzhen, SGS, Intertek) offer competitive rates; EU-based labs (TÜV Rheinland, DEKRA) are more expensive but may be preferred for certain marketplace verifications.

Yes. Any device with intentional radio transmission — including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, LoRa, NFC, and RFID — falls under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED 2014/53/EU). There is no minimum power threshold exemption. Even a BLE beacon transmitting at 0 dBm requires RED compliance. The applicable test standards include EN 300 328 for wideband transmission devices (Bluetooth, WiFi) and EN 300 440 for short-range devices. If your product also has a USB power supply or mains connection, you must additionally comply with LVD and EMC. For products sold on Amazon EU, you must provide the RED Declaration of Conformity and, where applicable, the Notified Body certificate number before the listing goes live.

Self-certification (Module A) allows the manufacturer to perform the conformity assessment, compile the technical file, and issue the Declaration of Conformity without third-party involvement. This applies to most consumer electronics under LVD and EMC — for example, a standard USB charger or LED lamp can be self-certified. Notified Body assessment is required for higher-risk products or specific technologies: RED may require Notified Body involvement if the radio equipment uses harmonised frequency bands with specific technical conditions (Module B+C, B+D, or B+F). Medical devices, PPE, and certain IoT devices with safety-critical functions always require Notified Body involvement. The Notified Body reviews the technical file, may require additional testing, and issues an EU-type examination certificate. Cost: €2,000–€10,000 depending on product complexity. You can find EU Notified Bodies in the NANDO database.