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EU CE Marking Directives and Regulations Reference List

A product can only carry the CE mark if it complies with every EU instrument that applies to it. This reference lists the main directives and regulations, their reference numbers and the products they usually cover, so you can build the applicable legislation list for a technical file.

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Instrument	Reference	Typical scope	Note
Machinery Directive	2006/42/EC	Machinery, interchangeable equipment, safety components	To be replaced by Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which applies from 20 January 2027
Machinery Regulation	(EU) 2023/1230	Machinery and related products, including software and AI related safety aspects	Applies from 20 January 2027
Low Voltage Directive	2014/35/EU	Electrical equipment within 50 to 1000 V AC and 75 to 1500 V DC	Often applied together with EMC
EMC Directive	2014/30/EU	Electromagnetic compatibility of equipment	Covers emissions and immunity
Radio Equipment Directive	2014/53/EU	Equipment that intentionally emits or receives radio waves	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular modules
ATEX Equipment Directive	2014/34/EU	Equipment and protective systems for explosive atmospheres	Notified body involvement depends on category
Pressure Equipment Directive	2014/68/EU	Pressure equipment above 0.5 bar maximum allowable pressure	Category determines the conformity module
Simple Pressure Vessels Directive	2014/29/EU	Series produced simple unfired pressure vessels	Air receivers and similar
Lifts Directive	2014/33/EU	Lifts and safety components for lifts	Passenger and goods lifts
Measuring Instruments Directive	2014/32/EU	Regulated measuring instruments such as meters	Legal metrology
Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Directive	2014/31/EU	Scales and weighing instruments	Legal metrology
Gas Appliances Regulation	(EU) 2016/426	Appliances burning gaseous fuels	Replaced the earlier Gas Appliances Directive
Personal Protective Equipment Regulation	(EU) 2016/425	PPE worn or held by persons for protection	Category I, II or III sets the procedure
Cableway Installations Regulation	(EU) 2016/424	Cableway installations for passengers	Subsystems and safety components
Civil Explosives Directive	2014/28/EU	Explosives for civil uses	Marketing and supervision
Pyrotechnic Articles Directive	2013/29/EU	Fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles	Category by hazard
Recreational Craft Directive	2013/53/EU	Recreational boats, personal watercraft and engines	Includes emissions
Construction Products Regulation	(EU) No 305/2011	Construction products covered by harmonised standards	Uses declaration of performance as well as CE marking
Medical Devices Regulation	(EU) 2017/745	Medical devices and accessories	Notified body for most classes above I
In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation	(EU) 2017/746	In vitro diagnostic devices	Risk class A to D
Toy Safety Directive	2009/48/EC	Products designed for children under 14 for play	Chemical limits and safety assessment
RoHS Directive	2011/65/EU	Restricted substances in electrical and electronic equipment	CE mark signifies RoHS compliance for in-scope equipment
Ecodesign Directive	2009/125/EC	Energy-related products via implementing measures	Being succeeded by Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 for many products
Outdoor Noise Directive	2000/14/EC	Noise emission of equipment for use outdoors	Declared sound power level

Some instruments are repealed or amended over time and application dates vary. Always confirm the current text on EUR-Lex and the list of harmonised standards before preparing a declaration of conformity. A product may fall under several instruments at once.

Link compliance data to item revisions

Optional: a short review of how to tie declarations and applicable legislation to the item master.

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How to use the list

Search by product type or by keyword such as pressure, radio, explosive or machinery. Write down each instrument that could apply, then read its scope and exclusions on EUR-Lex to confirm. The result is the applicable legislation list that opens the technical file and appears on the EU declaration of conformity. Exporting the table to Excel lets you attach it to the product record in your PLM or ERP. Many industrial products fall under more than one instrument, for example machinery with a radio module and a pressure vessel.

How CE marking works

Most of these instruments follow the New Legislative Framework. The manufacturer identifies applicable requirements, selects the conformity assessment procedure, builds the technical documentation, issues an EU declaration of conformity and affixes the CE mark. Notified bodies take part where the legislation or the product risk category requires it. Importers and distributors have their own verification duties. The declaration must list each instrument and the harmonised standards or other specifications used, which is why an accurate list of applicable instruments is the first step rather than the last.

List every directive and regulation, not only the main one.
Record harmonised standards with their versions.
Keep technical documentation available for the period the law requires.

Common mistakes

Typical errors are citing a repealed directive on the declaration, forgetting RoHS or EMC for electrical products, assuming a component with a CE mark makes the final assembly compliant, and missing the transition to the Machinery Regulation. Another is treating the CE mark as a quality seal rather than a legal declaration by the manufacturer. Review the list at each product revision, because a new radio module or a pressure part can bring in new instruments. Link the applicable legislation to the item revision in your ERP so changes trigger a compliance review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every product need CE marking?

No. CE marking applies only to product categories covered by EU legislation that requires it. Products outside those scopes must not carry the mark. Check each instrument's scope and exclusions before deciding.

Can one product fall under several directives?

Yes. A machine can be subject to the Machinery legislation, EMC, Low Voltage or radio rules, and RoHS at once. The declaration of conformity must list all instruments that apply.

When does the Machinery Regulation replace the Directive?

Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 applies from 20 January 2027, replacing Directive 2006/42/EC. Plan technical file updates and any notified body steps ahead of that date, and check the transitional provisions for products already on the market.

Who signs the EU declaration of conformity?

The manufacturer, or its authorised representative where the legislation permits, takes responsibility. A person authorised to bind the company signs it, and it must identify the product, the instruments and the standards applied.

If product compliance data lives in separate spreadsheets from your item master, we can help connect declarations and applicable legislation to the item revision in your ERP.

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