Skip to main content
6 min article

Selling products with conformity markings into the EU or UK

If you sell to buyers in the European Union (EU) or the United Kingdom (UK), your products must meet local product compliance rules. The CE, UKCA, and UKNI markings show that a product meets safety and regulatory standards in the relevant region. These markings also determine where your product can be sold and who must be identified as the economic operator on the product or its packaging.

Products with conformity markings must include contact details for an economic operator based in the region where the product is sold.

Market Required marking Economic operator location
European Union (EU) CE marking EU-based
Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) UKCA or CE marking UK-based
Northern Ireland UKNI and CE markings Northern Ireland or EU-based

Most major brands already have an economic operator in place for each region.

An economic operator can be a manufacturer, importer, authorised representative, or fulfilment service provider based in that region.

If you’re posting products across borders and they don’t include this information, your parcel may be delayed at customs or stopped before it reaches the buyer.

How to stay compliant

Follow these steps to make sure your listings meet EU and UK requirements:

  1. Identify which marking applies based on where you are selling: CE (EU), UKCA or CE (Great Britain), or UKNI and CE (Northern Ireland).
  2. Check compliance: Confirm your product meets relevant EU and/or UK standards. Contact the manufacturer if you're unsure.
  3. Verify product labelling: Look for the manufacturer or importer's details on the product or packaging. If there is an EU or UK manufacturer or importer, they are the economic operator.
  4. If there's no local manufacturer or importer: Ask if the non-EU/UK manufacturer has an authorised representative located in the EU or UK.
    • If yes, get the authorised representative's name, address, and contact details and ensure these appear on the product or packaging
    • If not, work with the manufacturer to appoint an authorised representative. The manufacturer must provide the authorised representative with a signed mandate, the required declaration of conformity, and technical documentation
    • Alternatively, use an EU or UK fulfilment service provider willing to serve as the economic operator
  5. Keep documentation ready: eBay or regulators may request CE, UKCA, or UKNI documentation at any time.

This page provides guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an economic operator?

Under the EU and UK rules, the economic operator must be based in the region where the product is sold. The following types of entities can serve as the economic operator:

  • Manufacturer in the EU for products sold into the EU, or in the UK for products sold into the UK
  • Importer in the EU for products sold into the EU, or in the UK for products sold into the UK
  • Authorised representative in the EU for products sold into the EU, or in the UK for products sold into the UK
  • A fulfilment service provider in the EU for products sold into the EU, or in the UK for products sold into the UK
What does an economic operator do?

Economic operators must:

  • Keep a declaration of conformity and technical documentation for inspection
  • Cooperate with authorities when asked for compliance evidence
  • Inform authorities and take corrective action if they believe a product is unsafe or non-compliant
Which products need these markings?

These regulations apply to a wide range of goods that require CE, UKCA, or UKNI markings, including, but not limited to: 

  • Electrical and electronic equipment
  • Equipment of explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
  • Gas appliances
  • Lithium batteries and battery-powered devices, including those installed in micromobility products or sold separately
  • Machinery and construction products
  • Measuring instruments
  • Micromobility devices, such as e-bikes, electric scooters, e-skateboards, hoverboards, and similar single-rider electric products
  • Non-automatic weighing instruments
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Pressure equipment and simple pressure vessels
  • Products covered by ecodesign, low-voltage, or electromagnetic-compatibility rules
  • Pyrotechnic articles
  • Radio and telecommunications equipment
  • Recreational craft and personal watercraft
  • Toys

For official guidance, visit:

What is a fulfilment service provider (FSP?

Fulfilment service providers in the EU or UK are companies that perform at least two of these activities:

  • Addressing 
  • Dispatching
  • Packaging
  • Warehousing

Carriers or logistics companies that only transport goods are not fulfilment service providers. 

If you want to use a fulfilment service provider in the EU or UK, you can work with the manufacturer to provide relevant documents to them. If an FSP agrees to hold the documents and act as the economic operator, include their name or contact information (including postal address) on the product or packaging. Some FSPs may require an authorised representative instead. In that case, work with the non-EU manufacturer to assign one in the EU or UK. 

How can I find an authorised representative in the EU or UK?

Start by asking the manufacturer or brand owner whether they already have an authorised representative in the EU or UK. If not, many companies offer authorised representative services in the EU or UK.

eBay has identified several third-party providers that may help sellers. These companies can assist with most types of products (both soft or hard goods).

Do EU market surveillance regulations apply in the UK?
  • Great Britain: Products placed on the market may carry CE or UKCA markings
  • Northern Ireland: Products must carry the CE marking and may also need the UKNI marking
  • EU: Only CE-marked products are accepted

Learn more about:

Why am I being asked to supply CE documents if I only sell in the UK or Northern Ireland?

Both CE and UKCA markings are accepted for products being placed on the Great Britain market. Products sold in Northern Ireland need to have the CE marking, and may also require UKNI. Even if your product has the UKNI mark, it must also carry the CE marking to be valid for Northern Ireland.

Learn more about using the UKCA marking in different markets - opens in new window or tab.

I've been asked to provide documentation. What do I need?

You need to provide:

  • Declaration of conformity (DoC): Signed by the manufacturer or authorised representative confirming compliance with the EU or UK law
  • Test reports: Showing the product’s design, manufacturing, and test results to support the DoC

If the correct documents aren’t uploaded within the timeframe, your listings may be temporarily hidden until the documents are verified.

I missed the upload deadline, and my listing is hidden. What can I do?

Contact us so we can reopen the upload option. Don't relist the item until we've confirmed compliance.

I submitted documents, but they were insufficient. What went wrong?

Common reasons include:

  • Submitting the wrong document (for example, a “certificate of conformity” instead of a declaration of conformity)  
  • Missing required details on the declaration of conformity, such as signature, date, applicable directive, business address, harmonised standards, or type approval

If your listing is hidden, contact us to reopen the upload option. Don't relist the item until eBay confirms compliance.

Your product or packaging must clearly show an economic operator based in the EU or UK. This can be the manufacturer, importer, authorised representative, or fulfilment service provider. Without this information, your products may be delayed or blocked at customs.

Was this article helpful for you?

Related help topics

See other articles in: