European Regulatory Compliance Guides

CE marking indicates that a product meets EU health, safety, and environmental requirements. It is mandatory for products sold in the European Economic Area across more than 25 EU directives and regulations. The specific tests required depend on the applicable product directive -- from electromagnetic compatibility for electronics to mechanical strength for construction products.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is the EU’s landmark policy to prevent carbon leakage by placing a carbon price on imports of carbon-intensive goods. Importers must report and eventually purchase CBAM certificates corresponding to the embedded emissions of their products. Compliance requires verified emissions data, which means accredited testing of raw materials and production processes. As of early 2026, national accreditation bodies across Europe are actively setting up programmes to accredit CBAM verifiers, coordinated by European Accreditation (EA).

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation expands the EU’s ecodesign framework beyond energy-related products to cover nearly all physical goods on the EU market. It introduces Digital Product Passports, mandatory recycled content requirements, and durability and repairability standards. Compliance will require accredited testing for material composition, durability, and environmental performance.

REACH is the EU’s comprehensive framework for managing chemical substances. It requires manufacturers and importers to register chemicals with ECHA, evaluate their hazards, and obtain authorisation for substances of very high concern (SVHCs). Compliance depends on accredited analytical testing to identify and quantify chemical substances in products and materials.

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive limits the use of ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Manufacturers must ensure their products do not exceed maximum concentration values for lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBBs, PBDEs, and four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP). Compliance requires analytical testing per the IEC 62321 series.