Product requirements in the EU
Products that are intended for sale and use in the EU or EEA must comply with legal requirements. For example, about safety, health, labelling and packaging. Learn more about the requirements and who is responsible.
Product requirements in the EU
Before you place a product on the EU market, you must make sure it is safe and complies with all applicable EU requirements. The exact requirements depend on the type of product you sell. Consider the following things:
A product is safe when it does not pose a danger or risk to the user when a consumer uses it normally and as intended. The EU General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) deals with product safety of consumer products marketed in the EU. This also includes software and digital services. It does not matter whether the product is free or paid for. Which rules a product must comply with depends on the product's properties. Check the requirements for your product on Access2Markets.
Determine your role
What your responsibility is in regard to product safety depends on your role in the production chain. Are you a manufacturer, importer, distributer, fulfilment centre, or authorised representative? Note that you can have several roles for different products at the same time. So, check your role for each product.
Use the product safety tool to determine your role
Products from outside the EU
Products made outside the EU must also meet these safety requirements when they are sold in the EU. In addition, manufacturers from outside the EU must:
- have a business relation in the EU. Such as an importer, authorised representative, or fulfilment centre. Or they must have a branch office.
- draw up a technical file for each product.
Read more about exporting to the Netherlands from outside the EU
Some products must meet additional requirements before they can be placed on the EU market. For example, some products:
- have statutory product requirements. For example, toys, electronics, cosmetics, and medical devices.
- some products need an import licence or other documentation. Such as certain plants, weapons, or cultural objects. You can check this at Access2Markets.
Many products sold in the EU must meet specific requirements for CE marking and labelling. The rules which apply depend on the type of product you sell.
- CE marking: With a CE mark, the manufacturer declares that the product meets the EU requirements for safety and health. This is required for specific product groups. You need CE marking if your product falls under 1 or more of these product groups.
- Labelling: your product must have a label with mandatory information. For example, it may have to contain:
- contact details of the manufacturer
- information about the contents or ingredients
- instructions on how to use the product safely
There are specific rules for the labelling of foodstuffs.
Products sold in the EU often need to be accompanied by information in the main language used in the country where the product is sold. This includes labels, warnings, instructions for use, safety information, and other accompanying documents. In the Netherlands, Dutch instructions are often required for consumers. This can vary depending on the requirements for the type of product.
Some products must comply with EU environmental requirements. The rules may cover the use of substances, waste management, recycling, sustainability, or environmental information that must be provided to customers. There are different regulations covering different products or product groups. For example:
- REACH: chemicals in products
- CLP: classification, labelling and packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures
- WEEE: electrical and electronic waste
- RoHS: restriction of hazardous substances in electronics
- Ecodesign: designing and developing a product in the most environmentally friendly way possible
- Battery Regulation: sustainability, safety, labelling, and circularity of all batteries sold in the European Union
When transporting products to the EU, the packaging that keeps your products safe during shipping must meet specific requirements. There are extra rules for the packing of food. Keep in mind that packaging requirements can also vary per EU country.
And you may be responsible for dealing with the packaging waste under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). If this is the case, read what you need to do in regard to packaging waste