Specific product requirements in the EU
When you import or trade goods within the European Union (EU), you can encounter legal requirements for specific products, such as clothing, cosmetics, and food. These product requirements apply in all EU member states, and usually apply in Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein too (the European Economic Area, EEA).
What are specific product requirements?
Additional rules apply to some products. These include rules on how the product is made, how it is packaged and what must be stated on the label. They complement the statutory general product requirements. There are specific product requirements for, among other things:
- medicines for humans and animals (in Dutch)
- chemical products
Your product has to be safe
If you market a consumer product inside the EEA, it has to be safe for your customers. Check the safety requirements for your product. You may be liable for damages.
Read about the European product safety requirements for manufacturers, importers, distributors, and fulfilment centres.
Check if your product requires CE marking
Various product groups are subject to the rules for CE marking. With the CE mark, manufacturers indicate that their products comply with EU safety, health, and environmental requirements. CE marking is mandatory for toys, medical devices, and construction products, for example. Visit RVO.nl for a list of product groups subject to CE marking (in Dutch). Or follow the steps in the CE-checklist (in Dutch).
Government organisations check product safety
Every EU member state has government organisations that monitor whether products meet specific product requirements. In the Netherlands, these include the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoritieit, NVWA) and the Health Care and Youth Inspectorate (Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd, IGJ). The NVWA inspects cosmetics, food, consumer products, and veterinary medicines, for example. The IGJ is responsible for human medicines.