CE Marking for Solar Lights Exported to the EU: A Compliance Guide

CE marking is a mandatory market-access mark for the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA); it is not a "quality certificate". The manufacturer must identify the applicable directives based on the product's actual power supply, functions and installation scenario, complete the required testing and assessment, and sign an EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC)​ before affixing the CE mark and placing the product on the market.
 

A solar light is a system comprising a PV module, a storage battery, a charge/discharge controller and an LED luminaire head. Compliance must be assessed for the complete assembly — a standalone report for the LED or the battery alone cannot cover the whole product.

1. Applicable Standards (mistranslations in the original corrected)

Three applicability boundaries to confirm with the client before quoting:

1. Match the Part 2 standard to the product.​ EN 60598-1 sets the general requirements and must be paired with a Part 2 particular standard. Part 2-1 applies only to fixed general purpose luminaires; for street lights, floodlights or ground-recessed luminaires, use 2-3, 2-5 or 2-13 respectively.
    
2. Harmonics and flicker are conditional.​ EN 61000-3-2 / -3-3 apply to equipment connected to the public low-voltage AC mains. Purely off-grid solar lights (PV + battery only) are generally out of scope; these tests are required when a 230 V mains adapter or a mains/solar hybrid version is involved.
    
3. Directive scope depends on voltage.​ LVD 2014/35/EU covers AC 50–1000 V and DC 75–1500 V, so common 12 V / 24 V off-grid systems may fall outside it — yet safety assessments for short circuit, heating and outdoor protection must not be omitted. EMC 2014/30/EU, RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH still generally require assessment; built-in batteries additionally fall under the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542; versions with radio/remote-control or Wi-Fi functionality add RED 2014/53/EU. Non-EU manufacturers should also appoint an EU-based responsible person / authorised representative and meet GPSR​ (General Product Safety Regulation) obligations.

2. Documentation to Prepare

1. Product user manual (in the official language(s) of the destination market, including installation and warning instructions)
    
2. Safety design file: key structural drawings, design drawings, main parameters
    
3. Product technical specification (or in-house standard), used to build the technical documentation (often called the Technical Construction File, TCF)
    
4. Electrical schematic, wiring diagram, block diagram, structural drawings
    
5. Bill of critical components / raw materials (prefer parts already carrying European certification marks)
    
6. Copies of certificates for the complete product or for components
    
7. Nameplate, label and packaging artwork; series-model difference description and coverage list
    
8. Battery specification, UN 38.3 Test Summary and SDS; PV module datasheet (for transport booking — not part of CE marking itself)
    
9. Any additional documents required for the specific product (e.g. radio module specification, multi-model sample list)

3. Application Process

1. Complete the designated application form with model numbers, parameters and target markets
    
2. Submit product documentation; confirm applicable directives, standard editions and model coverage
    
3. Receive the quotation and sign the contract
    
4. Dispatch samples (representative model plus variant models)
    
5. Testing; rectify and retest in case of non-conformities
    
6. Issue the test report / compliance documents; the manufacturer signs the DoC and establishes and retains the technical documentation
    
7. Affix the CE mark and place on the market; maintain post-market surveillance and document updates

Note:​ The original Step 5, "issue certificate", has been reworded as "issue test report / compliance documents". Under CE marking the manufacturer remains the responsible party; a third-party body issues a test report or a voluntary certificate of conformity, which cannot replace the DoC.

4. Practical Tips

• Verify standard editions before sending samples.​ Harmonised standards are revised or withdrawn; use the current versions published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) to avoid an invalid report.
   
• Manual language, CE mark proportions, the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol, and battery recovery / labelling information are common inspection points — prepare them alongside testing.
   
• For outdoor models, focus on IP protection, photobiological safety (EN 62471) and surge immunity; these are also frequent sources of non-conformity.
   
• Lead time and cost depend on product complexity, number of models, retest rounds and laboratory scheduling; allow a buffer for corrective actions at project kick-off.

Global United Technology Services Co., Ltd. owns Internationally recognized CNAS (L5775) laboratory qualification, US FCC NVLAP qualification, domestic CMA qualification for inspection and testing in, capable of issuing internationally mutually recognized test reports, as well as authorized qualifications from major institutions such as UK's ITS, Germany's TUV, and Belgium's Eurof; focusing on the core testing fields of EMC, electrical safety, wireless RF, and chemical testing certification agency for export compliance, providing a one-stop service of "testing rectification technical training", making us your ideal partner!

Contact Us

Email: vicky.mo@gtstest.com
Whatsapp: +86 18025848511
WeChat:  18025848511