Sell in Europe · Get started
Get started: the 8-step guide to your first compliant shipment
Every step names the evidence you need, what you can do yourself, what the platform does, and what Conphora can do for you.
- 1
Classify the product and list the acts
Product category, materials, function and channel decide which EU acts apply — often five to eight. The free checker gives a first answer in a minute; the regulation pages give the scope and the articles.
A rules map: every act that applies to the product, with the reason.
Have it done
We classify your catalogue and hand you the rules map.
- 2
Gap-check against each act
For every act: which requirements are met, which are open, and what evidence closes them. The gap list becomes your work plan and your first honest answer to an importer's questionnaire.
A gap list per product with the evidence each open item expects.
Have it done
We run the gap analysis and prioritise the list with you.
- 3
Test and build the technical file
Risk assessment, test reports from a laboratory against the standards applied, drawings, bill of materials, label artwork, instructions. This is what authorities and importers ask for first, and it is kept for 10 years.
The technical documentation, complete and indexed.
Have it done
We assemble and maintain the file and coordinate the testing.
- 4
Sign the declaration of conformity and mark the product
Under a CE act the manufacturer signs the EU declaration of conformity and affixes the CE marking; by doing so it assumes responsibility for the product's compliance. Products outside every CE act carry no CE marking but still need the GPSR's identification and safety information.
The signed declaration of conformity and the marked product.
Have it done
We draft the declaration and review your label artwork.
- 5
Appoint the EU responsible person
Importer, authorised representative or fulfilment service provider — decided by the channel. Put the mandate in writing before anything ships, and put the person's name and address on the product and every listing.
A written mandate or an importer agreement, and the details on the product.
Do it yourself
Read the responsible-person page and agree the role with your importer or a representative.
Do it in Conphora
The gap list flags a missing responsible person on every product.
Have it done
We arrange the mandate with our EU-established partner firm.
- 6
Label the product and register producer responsibilities
Label sets per language, and producer registrations for packaging, WEEE and batteries in each country you sell in — registration numbers, fees, and a representative under those acts where the country requires one.
Label artwork per market and registration numbers per country.
Do it in Conphora
Validation lists the registrations each product triggers per market.
Have it done
We coordinate the registrations and the fee filings.
- 7
Prepare the channel's document pack
What the marketplace, the importer or the retailer asks for before go-live: certificates, the declaration, labels, the responsible person's details, answers to the supplier questionnaire. Plus the customs basics — an EORI number, the tariff code, IOSS or OSS for VAT on distance sales, the Incoterms agreed with your importer.
One pack per channel, ready before the first shipment.
Do it yourself
Use the route-to-market page for your channel and the trade portals in the resources directory.
Do it in Conphora
Audit and share links answer a retailer's or importer's questionnaire with one link.
Have it done
We upload the certificates and answer the questionnaires with you.
- 8
Monitor changes and be ready to recall
Rules change: the GPSR, the PPWR, the Batteries Regulation and more are all moving. Follow the regulations that apply, re-check products when they change, and have a recall procedure — direct notification of affected consumers, a recall notice and a remedy — before you need one.
A change log per regulation and a tested recall procedure.
Do it in Conphora
Change alerts re-open the gap list; the recall manager runs a recall from first alert to closure.
Have it done
We monitor, re-validate and support you through a recall.
The checklist
Every item above on one page. Read it here; download the PDF with a free account.
The PDF downloads with a free account — never a card.
Sell in Europe: the 8-step checklist
1 Classify the product and list the acts
- Product category, materials and intended use written down
- Every applicable EU act listed, with the GPSR as the baseline
- The countries and channels you sell to listed
2 Gap-check against each act
- Each requirement marked met, open or not applicable
- The evidence for every open item named
- Owner and date per open item
3 Test and build the technical file
- Risk analysis on file
- Test reports for every applicable act
- Drawings, bill of materials and standards applied filed
- File index kept current and retained for 10 years
4 Sign the declaration of conformity and mark the product
- Declaration of conformity signed by the manufacturer
- CE marking affixed where a CE act applies
- Type, batch or serial number on the product
5 Appoint the EU responsible person
- Responsible person chosen per channel
- Mandate or importer agreement signed
- Name and address on the product, packaging or accompanying document, and on every listing
6 Label the product and register producer responsibilities
- Instructions and warnings in the language of each country
- Packaging, WEEE and battery registrations per country
- Who registers — you, your importer or a representative — agreed in writing
7 Prepare the channel's document pack
- Certificates and declaration uploaded to the marketplace, or sent to the importer
- Supplier questionnaire answered with evidence
- EORI, tariff code, VAT scheme and Incoterms settled
8 Monitor changes and be ready to recall
- Regulations that apply followed for changes
- Products re-checked when a rule changes
- Recall procedure written and the customer data to run it available
Conphora · conphora.com/sell-in-europe · reviewed September 2026 by the Conphora compliance team. General information, not legal advice.
Also as a white paper
Product compliance: your key to the EU market
The seven-layer stack, the responsibility matrix, the channel demands and the eight-step playbook — 6 pages, about 12 minutes.
Read online or downloadRather have it done?
Managed: we run the eight steps for you
One team, one plan, one contact — including the EU responsible person through our partner firm.
Talk to us about ManagedHow Conphora helps
- Free to read
Regulation pages, the glossary, this guide and the free compliance checker. No account.
Open - Free account
The Academy track, downloads and Radar follow. Never a card.
Create a free account - Subscription
The compliance engine, every tool and 20 products included.
See plans and pricing - Managed
We run the whole route for you, with a named contact.
Talk to us about Managed
Reviewed 10 September 2026 by Conphora compliance team