Products with conformity markings must include contact details for an economic operator based in the region where the product is sold.
| Market |
Required marking |
Economic operator location |
| European Union (EU) |
CE marking |
EU-based |
| Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) |
UKCA or CE marking |
UK-based |
| Northern Ireland |
UKNI and CE markings |
Northern Ireland or EU-based |
Most major brands already have an economic operator in place for each relevant region.
The economic operator can be a manufacturer, importer, authorized representative, or fulfillment service provider based in the relevant region.
If you’re shipping products across borders and they don’t include this information, your parcel may be delayed at customs or stopped before it reaches the buyer.
How to stay compliant
Follow these steps to make sure your listings meet EU and UK requirements:
- Identify which marking applies based on where you are selling: CE (EU), UKCA or CE (Great Britain), or UKNI and CE (Northern Ireland).
- Check compliance: Confirm your product meets relevant EU and/or UK standards. Contact the manufacturer if you're unsure.
- Verify product labeling: Look for the manufacturer or importer's details on the product or packaging. If there is an EU or UK manufacturer or importer, they are the economic operator.
- If there's no local manufacturer or importer: Ask if the non-EU manufacturer has an authorized representative located in the EU or UK.
- If yes, obtain the authorized representative's name and contact details and ensure these appear on the product or packaging
- If not, work with the manufacturer to appoint an authorized representative. The manufacturer will need to provide the authorized representative with a signed mandate and the required declaration of conformity and technical documentation
- Alternatively, use an EU or UK fulfillment service provider willing to serve as the economic operator
- Keep documentation ready: eBay or regulators may request CE, UKCA, or UKNI documentation at any time.
This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an economic operator?
Under the EU and UK regulations, the economic operator must be based in the region where the product is sold. The following types of entities can serve as the economic operator:
- Manufacturer in the EU for products sold into the EU, or in the UK for products sold into the UK
- Importer in the EU for products sold into the EU, or in the UK for products sold into the UK
- Authorized representative in the EU for products sold into the EU, or in the UK for products sold into the UK
- A fulfillment service provider in the EU for products sold into the EU, or in the UK for products sold into the UK
What does an economic operator do?
Economic operators must:
- Keep a declaration of conformity and technical documentation for inspection
- Cooperate with authorities when asked for evidence of product compliance
- Inform authorities and take corrective action if they believe a product is unsafe or non-compliant
Which products need these markings?
These regulations apply to a wide range of products that require CE, UKCA, or UKNI markings, including, but not limited to:
- Electrical and electronic equipment
- Equipment of explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
- Gas appliances
- Lithium batteries and battery-powered devices, including those installed in micromobility products or sold separately
- Machinery and construction products
- Measuring instruments
- Micromobility devices, such as e-bikes, electric scooters, e-skateboards, hoverboards, and similar single-rider electric products
- Non-automatic weighing instruments
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Pressure equipment and simple pressure vessels
- Products covered by ecodesign, low-voltage, or electromagnetic-compatibility rules
- Pyrotechnic articles
- Radio and telecommunications equipment
- Recreational craft and personal watercraft
- Toys
For official guidance, visit:
What is a fulfillment service provider (FSP)?
Fulfillment service providers (FSPs) are companies in the EU or UK that perform at least two of these functions:
- Addressing
- Dispatching
- Packaging
- Warehousing
Carriers or logistics companies that only transport goods aren't considered fulfillment service providers.
If you want to use a fulfillment service provider in the EU or UK, you can work with the manufacturer to provide relevant documents to them. If the fulfillment service provider accepts the documents and your goods, they will become an economic operator, and you can then indicate their name or contact information (including postal address) on the product or packaging. However, some fulfillment service providers may need an authorized representative. In that case, you'll need to work with the non-EU manufacturer to assign one in the EU or UK.
How can I find an authorized representative in the EU or UK?
Start by asking the manufacturer or brand owner whether they already have an authorized representative in the EU or UK. If not, you can also search online, as many companies offer authorized representative services in the EU or UK.
eBay has identified several third-party providers that may help sellers. These companies can provide support for most products (whether soft or hard goods) covered by the requirements.
Do the EU market surveillance regulations apply in the UK?
- Great Britain: Products placed on the market may carry CE or UKCA markings
- Northern Ireland: Products must carry the CE marking, and may also need the UKNI marking
- EU: Only CE-marked products are accepted
Learn more about:
Why am I being asked to provide CE documents if I only sell in the UK or Northern Ireland?
The CE as well as the UKCA marking both continue to be accepted for products being placed on the GB market. Products placed on the market in Northern Ireland need to have the CE marking. Even if your product sold into Northern Ireland has the UKNI marking, it will also need to have the CE marking.
Learn more about using the UKCA marking in different markets - opens in new window or tab.
I've been asked to provide documentation. What do I need?
- Declaration of conformity (DoC): Signed by the manufacturer or authorized representative, confirming compliance with the EU or UK laws
- Test reports: Detailing the product’s design, manufacturing, and test results supporting the declaration of conformity
If the correct documents aren’t uploaded within the timeframe, your listings may be temporarily hidden until the documents are verified.
I missed the upload deadline, and my listing is hidden. What can I do?
If you missed the upload deadline and your listing is hidden: Contact us so we can reopen the upload option. Don't relist the item until we confirm compliance.
I submitted documents, but they were insufficient. What went wrong?
These are common documentation issues:
- Submitting the wrong document (e.g., a “certificate of conformity” instead of a declaration of conformity)
- Missing required details on the declaration of conformity such as signature, date, EU directive, business address, harmonized standards, or type approval
If your documents weren't accepted and your listing is hidden: Contact us so we can reopen the upload option. Don't relist the item until eBay confirms compliance.