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.
Visit the official Single Market — Goods (European Commission) site ↗How Conphora helps
Conphora turns obligations like these into one managed workflow — it matches each product to the rules that apply, flags the gaps, and keeps your evidence ready for retailers and authorities.