Describe the product before looking for a rule
Intended use, users, functions and conditions of supply guide the search for applicable requirements. An accessory, powered equipment and a product intended for children cannot be covered by a single compliance instruction. A change of function or destination may require another review.
The documentation must identify the target markets. A document presented for another country or product reference does not automatically answer the project's questions. The characteristics to retain must be confirmed with the appropriate specialists.
Avoid treating CE marking as a universal requirement
France's Directorate General for Enterprise explains that the requirement for CE marking depends on the legislation applicable to the product. Defining the scope should therefore start by identifying the product and that legislation, rather than by making a general request for a certificate.
The European Commission also describes different obligations for manufacturers, importers and distributors. The project must specify who will place the product on the market and under whose name. Documents requested from the supplier must relate to that role and the product reference concerned.
Build an inventory of evidence to examine
A declaration, test report, instruction manual and material data sheet answer different questions. For each document, record the issuer, product reference, version, scope and annexes to avoid premature conclusions. A cover image is not enough to verify a complete document.
Missing or contradictory documents are recorded in a list of questions. The specialist partner, laboratory or qualified adviser can then be consulted on a precisely defined difficulty. No document should be presented as approved merely because it has been supplied.
- Exact identification of the product and its variants
- Intended markets and use
- Role of each economic operator
- List of documents obtained and their references
- Questions to put to a specialist
Make the decision to place the product on the market explicit
Receiving a sample does not settle every regulatory question. Appearance, operation and documentary compliance approvals must be distinguished. The records state who examined each subject and within what limits.
Before changing a material, component or manufacturer, the affected elements must be reviewed again. Version traceability also identifies which documents correspond to the product that will actually be manufactured and sold.
Maison Brach's role in this preparation
Maison Brach follows compliance questions, documents received and necessary clarifications. We organise verification requests and track their conclusions against the product reference.
To prepare the discussion, provide a functional description, documents already received and the intended sales countries. The official references below provide a starting point; they do not replace analysis of the product and current legislation.
To gather before the next stage
- Intended use and markets are described
- The importer's role is identified
- Documents relate to the exact model
- Questions are addressed to the appropriate professional
- Version changes are tracked
Preparation questions
01Must all imported products carry CE marking?
No. The requirement depends on the legislation applicable to the product's category and characteristics. This check must precede document requests.
02Is an approved sample sufficient to establish compliance?
Sample approval has a defined scope. It does not replace documents, tests or obligations applicable to the product.
03Can Maison Brach certify my product?
Certification is the responsibility of authorised bodies. Maison Brach follows up document collection and organises the clarifications needed for project approvals.
Sources & further reading
Sources for this guide and further reading. External references let you find the text and the context in which it was published.
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Identifying compliance requirements
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