Blog Product safety - 9 min

CE marking, product safety and private testing: what merchants should not confuse

Trust seals and legal markings are not the same thing. Merchants should understand the difference before they enter the German-speaking market.

Product documents and CE marking checklist for online merchants

Private testing is a marketing and transparency asset

A private product review can make product quality, documentation and transparency easier to communicate. It can show that a specific product has been reviewed according to defined criteria.

However, it does not replace legal obligations. If a product requires CE marking, warnings, declarations or specific documentation, the merchant remains responsible for these requirements.

The IW process can consider whether relevant markings and information are present, but it is not an official approval.

Do not confuse
Private product review Public trust seal CE marking responsibility Official approvals Legal compliance duties
Practical tips
  • Treat compliance as a separate workstream.
  • Use the IW seal only for the approved product.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does the IW seal replace CE marking?

No. The IW seal is a private product-specific trust signal and does not replace legal markings or official requirements.

Are required markings part of the review?

Relevant markings can be considered in the review, but the merchant remains responsible for legal compliance.