The EU Declaration of Conformity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Get It Right
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Introduction
If you're selling non-food consumer products in the EU, you need to understand the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC). It’s a legal requirement under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 and other relevant legislation. At GPSR Solutions, we help small brands and importers prepare fully compliant Declarations of Conformity—without guesswork, confusion, or generic templates.
1. What Is an EU Declaration of Conformity?
The Declaration of Conformity is a formal document in which a manufacturer (or their EU Authorised Representative) declares that a product meets all relevant EU safety laws. It’s not optional. It’s required for any product placed on the EU market under CE marking or GPSR. Key legislation includes:
- General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988
- REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006
- RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU
- EMC, Low Voltage and other sector-specific directives
The DoC must be supported by a full technical documentation file.
2. Who Must Issue the Declaration?
The manufacturer is legally responsible for issuing the DoC. If you manufacture outside the EU, you must appoint an Authorised Representative in the EU who keeps the file ready for inspection and acts as the single contact point for authorities. GPSR Solutions offers this service to simplify your compliance obligations.
3. Which Products Require a Declaration of Conformity?
You need a DoC if you sell:
- Consumer goods like homeware, fashion, electronics, tools, or wellness products
- Products marketed under your brand, even if manufactured by someone else
- Private-label goods imported from outside the EU
CE-marked or not, if your product is subject to GPSR, a DoC is required.
4. What Information Must the DoC Contain?
Your Declaration must include:
- Product name, model, and traceability identifiers
- Manufacturer and EU Authorised Representative details
- Statement of sole responsibility
- List of applicable EU legislation and safety standards
- Assessment methods used to show compliance
- Details of any Notified Body involved (if applicable)
- Signature, name, title, and date of the responsible person
Example Format:
EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
1. Product: [Product Name, Model Number]
2. Manufacturer: [Company Name, Address]
3. EU Authorised Representative: [Company Name, Address]
4. This declaration is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer.
5. The product is in conformity with the following legislation:
- Regulation (EU) 2023/988
- [List any additional applicable directives]
6. Standards applied:
- EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018
- EN IEC 63000:2018
7. Notified Body: [If required]
8. Place and date of issue
Signature: [Name, Function]
5. Storage, Language, and Availability
- Retention: Must be kept for 10 years after the product is placed on the EU market
- Language: Must be available in the language required by each Member State
- Availability: Market authorities can request it at any time; some marketplaces may require it up front
6. Supporting Documentation: The Technical File
The Declaration alone is not enough. It must be backed by full documentation, including:
- Design specifications and material safety data
- Risk assessments per product category
- Test reports or certificates from recognised labs
- Labeling and warning statements
GPSR Solutions prepares and stores this file for you.
7. Penalties for Non-Compliance
Missing or incorrect Declarations can result in:
- Seizure of goods at customs
- Removal from online marketplaces
- Fines and legal liability
- Damage to brand reputation
8. How GPSR Solutions Helps
We provide full-service compliance for non-food consumer goods. Our plans include:
- Legally valid Declaration of Conformity
- Product-specific risk analysis
- Multilingual labeling guidance
- Technical documentation support
- EU Authorised Representative service
We help your brand stay compliant, avoid fines, and access the EU market with confidence.