The CE Marking is a mandatory (legally required) mark for any product that falls within the scope of a European Directive, and is intended for sale in the European Market. This covers an estimated 70% of all products sold today in the EU. The rules for CE Marking are valid for any manufacturer of such goods, whether resident within the EU, or of foreign origin.

The main catalyst behind the CE Marking of products is to allow the entry and free movement of goods within the European Union and some partnering nations. To accomplish this, European Directives (or laws) were introduced, which contain the essential requirements that a product must meet to be sold in the EU. These directives are supported by European standards, which specify the essential health and safety requirements of the Directive.

Essentially, these Directives specify the minimum level of safety for products sold within the European Union (EU). Compliance is thereby demonstrated with the manufacturer affixing the CE Marking to their products, indicating that their product conforms to any and all applicable directives.

It is important to note that the CE Marking is not a certification, approval or quality mark, but merely a manufacturers declaration that the product meets the essential requirements of the respective directives - no more. CE Marking is the manufacturer's claim that the product meets these essential requirements. Additionally, a product may not bear the CE Marking unless a directive that specifies the use of the CE Marking requires it.