Since 1995, the CE Mark has been used to symbolize compliance with EU law wherever it is produced in the world and to allow free circulation of the product in the European Economic Area.

The CE mark indicates that the product complies with all relevant directives of the European Commission. The CE mark does not indicate that the product is produced in the European Economic Area. The CE marking of the product by the manufacturer indicates that the product complies with all relevant requirements of the European Commission (e.g. directives on safety, health, environmental protection, etc.) and has been verified by a third-party Notified Body.

Not all goods traded in the EEA require the CE mark. Only those goods that are in a subordinate category of the relevant directive require (and are recognized as such) CE certification. ANEC warns that consumers cannot use the CE Mark as a safety certification and that the CE Mark is a self-certification scheme, indicating that the manufacturer or exporter is criminally responsible for the manufacturing process or third-party testing required for the product. From time to time, the Crown will conduct sample checks and if a product is found to be faulty, penalties can be imposed, including recall of the product, fines and even imprisonment. EU products must bear the CE mark to indicate compliance with health or safety directives. The CE mark can only be printed on the product after the product has been certified. Usually, manufacturers, agents or importers are tested by an internal product testing department, or they may invite an external certification body to test their products.