CE Certification for Faucets: A Complete Importer's Guide

CE marking is mandatory for faucets and shower heads sold in the European Economic Area (EEA). Yet it's also one of the most commonly misunderstood certifications in the plumbing trade. This guide explains what CE actually covers, what documents you need as an importer, and — critically — how to verify that a supplier's CE claim is genuine.

What CE Marking Means (and Doesn't Mean)

CE stands for Conformité Européenne. It indicates that a product meets the minimum legal requirements of applicable EU directives and regulations. For plumbing fixtures, CE is typically required under:

• Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU — Applies to pressurized components above certain thresholds. Most faucets fall below the threshold and are excluded, but shower valves and thermostatic cartridges may be in scope.
• Construction Products Regulation (CPR) 305/2011 — Applies when the faucet is incorporated as a construction product (i.e., permanently installed). This is the most common CE basis for kitchen and bathroom faucets.
• RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU — Restricts hazardous substances including lead. Relevant to brass alloy composition in faucet bodies.
• EcoDesign Regulation (EU) 2021/340 — Water efficiency requirements (flow rate limits) effective January 2022.

Documents You Need at EU Customs

When importing CE-marked faucets into the EU, customs officers may request:

1. Declaration of Conformity (DoC) — Must identify: the manufacturer, importer, product description, applicable directives, harmonized standards used, and the signatory's name and position.
2. Technical File (Technical Construction File) — Includes design drawings, material specifications, test reports, and risk assessment. Not submitted to customs, but must be available on request.
3. Test Report from Accredited Lab — Verifies the product was tested against the stated harmonized standards (e.g., EN 200 for sanitary faucets, EN 1112 for shower outlets).
4. Product Label with CE Mark — Must be physically on the product or packaging. Font size minimum 5mm for CE symbol.

Key EN Standards for Faucets

The harmonized European standards most relevant to faucet and shower head imports:

• EN 200:2008 — Single and combination taps (PN10). Tests for strength, leaktightness, durability (70,000 cycles), and acoustic properties.
• EN 1112:2008 — Shower outlets for sanitary tapware. Tests for flow rate, leaktightness, and durability.
• EN 1115:2008 — Automatic shut-off taps. For push-button and time-delayed faucets.
• EN 13443 — Mechanical protection devices for water. Relevant for thermostatic valves.
• EN 15091 — Electronically operated taps (sensor faucets).

How to Verify a Supplier's CE Certification is Genuine

Fake or misused CE markings are unfortunately common in the plumbing fixture trade. Here's how to verify:

1. Request the full Declaration of Conformity — Check that the product model number on the DoC matches the product you're ordering exactly.
2. Check the issuing body — If a Notified Body number appears (a 4-digit number after "CE"), verify it on the NANDO database (nando.ec.europa.eu) — the EU's official register of Notified Bodies.
3. Request the test report — Ask for the test report from the accredited laboratory. The lab should be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025, verifiable through national accreditation bodies.
4. Confirm the standard — If the DoC cites EN 200:2008, the test report should explicitly reference EN 200:2008 test clauses and pass/fail results.
5. Check expiry dates — CE certificates issued under some schemes have validity periods. Confirm the certificate is current and covers your product's production date.

The Importer's Legal Responsibility

Under EU Regulation 765/2008, importers (not just manufacturers) bear legal responsibility for the products they place on the EU market. If a product does not conform to CE requirements, the importer — not the Chinese manufacturer — is liable for market surveillance actions, product recalls, and fines. This is why due diligence on certification documentation is not optional for serious importers.