Export product requirements

Find out the product requirements that apply to you

All products must be safe before they go to market. Each country sets its own safety requirements. The origin must also be clear. These are general product requirements.

Some products must meet extra requirements. For example, food, chemical products, machinery, and electrical appliances. These special product requirements apply in addition to the rules that apply to all products.

Special requirements apply to, for example:

• what products are made of
• what products look like
• requirements for packaging
• rules for labelling
• registration with local organisations

Check product requirements with Access2Markets

In the EU's Access2Markets database you can find the product requirements and procedures for EU and non-EU countries, per country. You search with the HS code of the product you want to export. For more information, check the manual and watch the video on the KVK website explaining how to use Access2Markets.

Selling your product in the EU

Specific product requirements

Will you be selling to an EU country? As well as general product requirements within the EU, specific product requirements also apply. For example, for clothing, cosmetics, or food.

Product safety

European product safety regulations apply to non-food consumer product. Do you want to know what you need to do to ensure product safety? That depends on your role in the supply chain.

Use the short questionnaire to determine your role and find out what you need to do for product safety.

CE marking

Some products may require CE marking. CE marking indicates that your product complies with European safety, health, and environmental requirements. You can then sell your product across the EU.

Use this step-by-step plan to see if you need to arrange CE marking.

Selling EU products within the EU (mutual recognition)

Are you already selling a product in an EU country? If so, you may, in principle, export it to any EU country. This is called mutual recognition.

If customs or another government agency in the EU country requests more information or wants to assess your product, you can use a Declaration of Mutual Recognition. This declaration demonstrates that the product complies with the regulations of the EU country where it is already being sold.

Find out if you need to adapt your product

You will often have to adapt your Dutch product for export.

• Many countries require product information in their own language, for example. This applies to packaging and labelling, but also to user manuals.
• Sometimes technical adaptations are necessary, such as different electric plugs.

Countries outside Europe often want to test a product before allowing you to sell it.

Check product liability

Make sure you know who is liable for any damage caused by your product. This is called product liability. If you are liable, you may face high financial claims, especially in the United States of America.

Check when you have product liability.

Avoid claims

• Ensure that your product meets the legal requirements and standards of the country where you are selling it.
• Always provide user manuals and labels in the country’s language.
• Take out proper product liability insurance.