Single Market — Goods (European Commission)

What it is

This is the European Commission’s official hub for the rules governing goods in the single market. It explains the New Legislative Framework, CE marking, harmonised standards, notified bodies, mutual recognition for non-harmonised products, and market surveillance — the architecture that sits beneath the individual product regimes.

Why it matters for compliance

It is the map of how the pieces fit: essential requirements in law, technical detail in harmonised standards, conformity assessment, and enforcement. Understanding this architecture means each sector regime becomes a variation on a familiar theme rather than a new language, and it points you to the authoritative building blocks (the Blue Guide, notified-body lists, the standards system).

How to use it

• Use it to orient yourself before tackling a specific product regime.
• Follow its links to the Blue Guide, harmonised standards and notified bodies.
• Refer to its mutual recognition guidance for products with no harmonised EU rules.

Good to know

For products the EU has not harmonised, mutual recognition lets goods lawfully sold in one Member State generally be sold in another — subject to legitimate public-interest exceptions.