Sell in Europe · What the EU requires
What the EU requires before you can sell a product
Seven layers, from the acts that apply to the duties your importer takes on. Nothing here is asserted that the linked regulation page does not carry.
The seven layers
Work through them in order; each layer produces the evidence the next one needs.
- 1
The rules that apply
The GPSR applies to every consumer product placed or made available on the EU market, whoever sells it. Products covered by sector acts follow those acts for the risks they cover and the GPSR for the rest. Which acts apply depends on the product's category, materials, function and use — typically several at once.
- 2
The technical file and the declaration of conformity
Before a product is placed on the market the manufacturer carries out a risk analysis and draws up technical documentation, keeps it up to date and holds it for 10 years; importers check that this was done and keep a copy for the same period. Under a CE act the manufacturer also signs the EU declaration of conformity and thereby assumes responsibility for the product's compliance.
- 3
CE marking where a CE act applies
CE marking is the manufacturer's statement that the product conforms to all applicable EU harmonisation legislation that provides for it; only the manufacturer or its authorised representative may affix it. Toys, electrical equipment, radio equipment, PPE, medical devices, pressure equipment and more are CE acts. Products outside every CE act carry no CE marking and are governed by the GPSR.
- 4
Labelling, traceability and the responsible person
The product must carry a type, batch or serial number, the manufacturer's name and postal and electronic address, and the importer's details where there is one; where the product cannot carry them, they go on the packaging or an accompanying document. Instructions and safety information follow in the language determined by each Member State. The EU responsible person's name and contact details go on the product, its packaging, the parcel or an accompanying document, and on every online listing when the manufacturer is outside the EU.
- 5
Chemicals and substances
RoHS restricts ten substances in electrical and electronic equipment and is proven with CE marking; the POPs Regulation bans or restricts persistent organic pollutants in products; REACH restricts substances in articles and gives duties on substances of very high concern. Test reports are the evidence — a supplier's assurance is not.
- 6
Environment and producer responsibility
Extended producer responsibility makes the producer pay for the waste stage of its products through national schemes for packaging, batteries and electrical equipment. WEEE requires registration in each Member State where you sell; the Batteries Regulation's producer-responsibility chapter has applied since 18 August 2025; the PPWR applies from 12 August 2026. Representatives for these registrations are appointed under those acts, separately from the product-safety mandate.
- 7
The importer's duties when an EU company imports
When a dealer, distributor or customer in the EU places your product on the market, it becomes the importer: it may only do so after verifying that you have met your obligations, it must put its own name and address on the product, keep a copy of the technical documentation and cooperate with the authorities. Expect a questionnaire before the first order — and expect to be refused without a complete file.
Customs and tax: pointers, not guidance
Product compliance is one gate; the border is another. These are the official starting points — Conphora does not provide customs, VAT or EORI services.
EORI number and import procedures
Every importer into the EU needs an EORI number; Access2Markets shows the procedures, documents and duties per product and country.
Tariff classification
TARIC is the EU's integrated customs tariff — the code decides duties and border measures.
VAT on distance sales (IOSS/OSS)
Sales to EU consumers from outside the EU use the Import One-Stop Shop or the One-Stop Shop; the official EU pages are linked from Access2Markets.
Incoterms with your importer
Agree who is the importer of record and who carries duties and risk before the first shipment; it decides who the responsible person is.
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Reviewed 10 September 2026 by Conphora compliance team
Next: the EU responsible person