One of the most common misconceptions among exporters is that all products sold in the European Union require CE marking. This is not accurate. CE certification applies only to specific product categories regulated by EU harmonization legislation, including toys, electronics, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical devices, batteries, and construction products. For home storage and organization products like laundry baskets—whether made from stainless steel, wicker, or plastic—CE marking is typically not mandatory [1].
However, this does not mean exporters can ignore compliance requirements. The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), which replaced the General Product Safety Directive in December 2024, applies to ALL consumer products sold in the EU. GPSR mandates traceability information including manufacturer and importer contact details, product identification, and safety warnings where applicable. For Southeast Asian sellers on Alibaba.com targeting European buyers, GPSR compliance is non-negotiable regardless of CE marking status [1].
CE marking is mandatory for regulated products only. Non-electrical household items like laundry baskets, storage boxes, and organizers are typically exempt from CE requirements. However, GPSR labeling applies to all consumer products—manufacturers must provide traceability information including name, registered trade name or trademark, and contact address [1].
For stainless steel home storage products specifically, sellers should focus on three compliance pillars: (1) Material safety documentation proving the steel grade meets food-contact or general consumer use standards if applicable; (2) GPSR traceability labeling with manufacturer/importer details; (3) ESPR Digital Product Passport preparation for products containing steel, which will require sustainability data including recycled content percentage, carbon footprint, and recyclability information accessible via QR code [2].
