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Labelling and packaging Manufacturer 5 min read

Our CE mark has the wrong proportions or placement

The CE marking must follow the graduated drawing in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, keep its proportions when resized and be at least 5 mm high unless the sector act says otherwise. Under the Low Voltage Directive it is affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the equipment or its data plate before it is placed on the market. Correct the artwork, check stock, and remove any look-alike mark.

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Reviewed 4 October 2026 by the Conphora compliance team · Not legal advice

Why this happens

The CE marking has one form. Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 lays down that the marking consists of the initials ‘CE’ in the form of the graduated drawing in its Annex II, that the proportions of the drawing are respected when the marking is reduced or enlarged, and that where specific legislation does not impose specific dimensions it is at least 5 mm high (Annex II, points 1 to 3).[1]

Its meaning is fixed too. Only the manufacturer or its authorised representative affixes it (Article 30(1)); it goes only on products for which Union harmonisation legislation provides for it (Article 30(2)); and by affixing it the manufacturer takes responsibility for conformity with all applicable requirements (Article 30(3)). Markings, signs or inscriptions likely to mislead third parties about the meaning or form of the CE marking are prohibited, and other markings may be added only if they do not impair the visibility, legibility and meaning of the CE marking (Article 30(5)).[1]

The sector acts set the placement. Decision No 768/2008/EC, the model for the sector acts, refers to these general principles (Annex I, Article R11) and requires the marking to be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the product or its data plate, or, where that is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the product, to the packaging and to the accompanying documents (Article R12(1)). It is affixed before the product is placed on the market (Article R12(2)).[2]

The Low Voltage Directive applies this to electrical equipment. The CE marking is subject to the principles in Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 (Directive 2014/35/EU, Article 16), is affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the equipment or its data plate or, where that is not possible or not warranted, to the packaging and the accompanying documents, and is affixed before the equipment is placed on the market (Article 17(1) and (2)). The manufacturer affixes it once conformity has been demonstrated and an EU declaration of conformity drawn up (Article 6(2)).[3]

A wrong mark is treated as a formal matter with real effects. Where a Member State finds that the CE marking was affixed in violation of Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 or Article 17 of the directive, it requires the operator to put an end to the non-compliance; if it persists, the Member State restricts or prohibits the equipment or ensures it is recalled or withdrawn (Article 22).[3][1]

How to solve it

  1. Compare the mark with the graduated drawing

    Lay your artwork over the official drawing in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. The two letters follow its construction and spacing; a stretched, squeezed or re-drawn version is a different sign. Replace home-made artwork with a vector file built from the drawing.

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  2. Check the size and how it is applied

    Where the sector act sets no dimensions, the mark is at least 5 mm high, and resizing keeps the proportions. It must be visible, legible and indelible: a print that rubs off or a sticker that peels is unlikely to meet that. Check it on a finished unit, not on the drawing.

  3. Check where it sits

    Under the Low Voltage Directive the mark goes on the electrical equipment or its data plate. Only where that is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the equipment does it go on the packaging and the accompanying documents, both of them. A mark on the box alone does not follow that rule; where you use the exception, keep the reason on file.

  4. Remove signs that can be confused with it

    Markings, signs or inscriptions likely to mislead third parties about the meaning or form of the CE marking are prohibited. Other marks are allowed only if they do not impair the visibility, legibility and meaning of the CE marking.

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  5. Correct production and deal with stock

    Fix the artwork for the next production run, and decide with the authority or customer what to do with units already made. Formal non-compliance must be brought to an end (Directive 2014/35/EU Article 22(1)), and corrective action can include rectifying formal non-compliance (Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 Article 16(3)(a)). In our reading, relabelling with a correct, indelible mark is one way to do that where the product itself conforms; the authority decides whether it is enough.

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What you need to show

DocumentWhere it comes fromLegal ground
CE marking artwork built from the graduated drawing, with its heightThe manufacturerRegulation (EC) No 765/2008 Annex II
Photos of the marking on the finished product or data plateThe manufacturerSupports Directive 2014/35/EU Article 17(1); the photos themselves are not required by the text
EU declaration of conformity that supports the markingThe manufacturerDirective 2014/35/EU Articles 6(2) and 15

If you do nothing

A wrong CE mark is formal non-compliance

Where a CE marking has been affixed in violation of Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 or Article 17 of the directive, the Member State requires the economic operator to end the non-compliance, and if it persists restricts or prohibits the equipment or ensures it is recalled or withdrawn (Directive 2014/35/EU Article 22(1)(a) and (2)).[3]

Distributors check the marking

Before making electrical equipment available, distributors verify that it bears the CE marking and is accompanied by the required documents (Directive 2014/35/EU Article 9(2)).[3]

Improper use is penalised

Member States act against improper use of the CE marking and provide for penalties, which may include criminal sanctions for serious infringements (Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 Article 30(6)).[1]

Questions about this problem

Who may affix the CE marking?

Only the manufacturer or its authorised representative (Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 Article 30(1)). By affixing it, the manufacturer takes responsibility for the product's conformity with all applicable requirements of the legislation providing for it (Article 30(3)).

Is there a minimum size?

Where specific legislation does not impose specific dimensions, the CE marking is at least 5 mm high (Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 Annex II, point 3).

Can we put other quality marks next to it?

Yes, provided they do not impair the visibility, legibility and meaning of the CE marking and cannot mislead about its meaning or form (Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 Article 30(5)).

May the CE mark be on the packaging only?

Only where affixing it to the equipment or its data plate is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the equipment; then it goes on the packaging and the accompanying documents (Directive 2014/35/EU Article 17(1)).

Does a product without CE legislation need a CE mark?

No. The CE marking is affixed only to products for which specific Union harmonisation legislation provides for it, and not to any other product (Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 Article 30(2)).

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Regulations involved

LVD

Sources

  1. Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation (consolidated text of 16 July 2021) EUR-Lex · accessed 4 October 2026
  2. Decision No 768/2008/EC on a common framework for the marketing of products EUR-Lex · accessed 4 October 2026
  3. Directive 2014/35/EU on electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (consolidated text of 30 May 2026) EUR-Lex · accessed 4 October 2026
  4. Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance and compliance of products (consolidated text of 12 August 2026) EUR-Lex · accessed 4 October 2026

About this page

Reviewer
Conphora compliance team
Reviewed
4 October 2026

General information, not legal advice. Check the legal text or ask an adviser about your own product.

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Cite this page 
Conphora (2026). Our CE mark has the wrong proportions or placement. Retrieved 13 October 2026 from https://www.conphora.com/solutions/problem/ce-mark-wrong/
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