An EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for consumer electronics is a signed statement in which the manufacturer declares the product meets every CE law that applies to it, typically the Low Voltage, EMC and RoHS directives. For electrical equipment it follows a seven-part model: product, manufacturer, responsibility, object, conformity, standards, then signature, place and date.
Below: which laws to list, each of the seven parts, a filled-in example you can follow line by line, and where to get a ready-to-edit template.
What a Declaration of Conformity is, and who issues it
The DoC is the manufacturer’s document. Under the Low Voltage Directive (LVD), once compliance has been demonstrated the manufacturer draws up the EU declaration of conformity and affixes the CE mark, and by issuing it takes responsibility for the product’s compliance. The DoC must be kept continuously up to date, and the manufacturer keeps it, with the technical documentation, for 10 years after the product is placed on the market (LVD Articles 6 and 15).
A manufacturer outside the EU can appoint an EU authorised representative by written mandate. The representative can keep the DoC and technical documentation available to market surveillance authorities, but drawing up the technical documentation can’t be handed over to them (LVD Article 7).
A DoC belongs to the CE regime. A general product that falls only under the GPSR needs a risk analysis and technical documentation instead (GPSR Article 9(2)).
Which EU laws a typical gadget’s DoC lists
When a product falls under more than one EU law that requires a DoC, you draw up a single declaration covering all of them, and it must identify each law with its publication reference (LVD Article 15(3); EMC Article 15(3)). For most mains-powered consumer electronics that means three:
- Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU (OJ L 96, 29.3.2014, p. 357): electrical equipment designed for a voltage rating of 50 to 1,000 V AC or 75 to 1,500 V DC.
- EMC Directive 2014/30/EU (OJ L 96, 29.3.2014, p. 79): electromagnetic compatibility of apparatus. The manufacturer draws up a DoC and keeps it for 10 years (EMC Article 7).
- RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (OJ L 174, 1.7.2011, p. 88): restricted substances in electrical and electronic equipment, with its own DoC model in Annex VI (RoHS Article 13). RoHS has been amended since 2011, so check the consolidated version on EUR-Lex before you list it.
Two checks before you copy a template:
- Battery or USB-powered only? A product that only ever runs at 5 V is below the LVD’s voltage range, so the LVD may not be one of the laws on its DoC. A mains plug or charger supplied with it is a different matter.
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth? Then it is radio equipment under the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (OJ L 153, 22.5.2014, p. 62), not the LVD (RED Article 1(4)). RED brings in the LVD’s safety objectives with no voltage limit and the EMC requirements (Article 3(1)), and its DoC follows a different model, in RED Annex VI (Article 18). Don’t use an LVD and EMC template for it.
The seven parts of an EU DoC for electrical equipment
The LVD’s Annex IV sets the model. The heading reads “EU declaration of conformity”, with a number. Numbering the declaration is optional under the LVD model. The RoHS model (Annex VI) starts with a unique identification number for the product, so a combined electronics DoC should include one.
- Product model or product: product, type, batch or serial number. Use the model number exactly as it appears on the rating label and the listing.
- Name and address of the manufacturer or its authorised representative.
- The responsibility statement: “This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer.”
- Object of the declaration: an identification of the equipment that allows it to be traced. It may include a colour image clear enough to identify the product.
- The conformity statement: that the product described is in conformity with the relevant EU harmonisation legislation, followed by the list of laws and their publication references.
- Standards: references to the harmonised standards used, or the other technical specifications conformity is declared against. Copy these from your test reports, including the edition year.
- Additional information, then “Signed for and on behalf of:”, place and date of issue, and the name, function and signature of the person signing.
Under LVD Article 15 the DoC must also be translated into the language or languages required by each Member State where the product is placed on the market or made available.
Filled-in example
Example only. The company, product and details are fictional. Replace every line with your own, and take the standards from your own test reports.
EU declaration of conformity No. NL-200-01
1. Product: Northlight desk lamp, model NL-200, batch from 2610 onwards
2. Manufacturer: Northlight Trading Ltd, [full postal address]. Authorised representative: [EU name and address, if appointed]
3. This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer.
4. Object of the declaration: LED desk lamp, 230 V AC, 50 Hz, with in-line switch. [Colour photo of the lamp]
5. The object of the declaration described above is in conformity with the relevant Union harmonisation legislation: Directive 2014/35/EU (OJ L 96, 29.3.2014, p. 357); Directive 2014/30/EU (OJ L 96, 29.3.2014, p. 79); Directive 2011/65/EU (OJ L 174, 1.7.2011, p. 88) [plus amending acts from the consolidated text].
6. Standards: [standard number and year from the safety test report]; [standard numbers and years from the EMC test report]; [standard used for RoHS, if any].
7. Additional information: [optional, e.g. test report numbers]. Signed for and on behalf of: Northlight Trading Ltd. [Place, date of issue]. [Name, function, signature]
DoC, technical file and listing: how they differ
| Document | What it is | Who sees it |
|---|---|---|
| Declaration of Conformity | The signed statement in the Annex IV format, kept for 10 years | Authorities on request |
| Technical documentation | The evidence behind the DoC: design, risk assessment, test reports (LVD Annex III), kept for 10 years | Authorities on request |
| Listing information | Manufacturer’s name, postal and electronic address; the EU responsible person if the manufacturer is outside the EU; product identifiers including a picture; and warnings in the local language (GPSR Article 19) | Shoppers, on the product page |
Selling in Great Britain too
Great Britain continues to recognise CE marking for many product types, with no end date stated, though some sectors have separate rules (gov.uk UKCA/CE guidance). For UKCA or CE goods in GB, importers and authorised representatives must be established in the UK, and the importer’s name and address normally appear on the product or packaging (same guidance). An EU representative doesn’t cover GB.
Get the template
Our Consumer Electronics compliance template pack includes an EU and a UK Declaration of Conformity with the applicable legislation already filled in, a risk assessment template and a technical file checklist, as fillable PDFs. Household appliances have a separate Home Appliances template pack.
A template is a starting point, not compliance: your product still has to meet the rules, which usually means test reports. If you need an EU or UK address for your labels and listings, our EU and UK responsible person service reviews your Declaration of Conformity, risk assessment and test reports before taking you on. More answers are in the FAQ.
Questions people ask
Who signs an EU Declaration of Conformity?
Someone signing for and on behalf of the manufacturer, giving their name and function, with the place and date of issue. The declaration is issued under the manufacturer’s sole responsibility.
Does a DoC need a reference number?
The LVD model makes it optional, but the RoHS model starts with a unique identification number for the product, so a DoC that lists RoHS should include one. A number also makes it easier to track each version as you keep the declaration up to date.
Can one DoC cover several directives?
It must. Where a product falls under more than one EU law requiring a DoC, you draw up a single declaration that names each law with its publication reference.
Do I need a DoC before selling electronics in the EU?
If the product falls under CE laws such as the LVD, EMC or RoHS directives, yes: the manufacturer draws up the DoC before affixing the CE mark and placing the product on the market.
Does the DoC have to be translated?
Yes. It must be translated into the language or languages required by the Member State where the product is placed or made available.
Is CE marking still accepted in Great Britain?
For many product types, yes, with no end date stated. Some sectors, such as medical devices and construction products, have separate rules.
Sources
- Directive 2014/35/EU (Low Voltage Directive), EUR-Lex
- Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC Directive), EUR-Lex
- Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS), EUR-Lex
- Directive 2014/53/EU (Radio Equipment Directive), EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR), EUR-Lex
- gov.uk: placing UKCA or CE marked products on the market in Great Britain