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# Conformity Assessment

> The process of demonstrating that a product meets the applicable legal requirements before it is placed on the market, through defined modules that may involve a notified body.

## Definition

The procedure by which it is demonstrated that the applicable requirements of European Union
product legislation have been fulfilled for a product, carried out through one of the standard
assessment modules set out in the relevant legislation.

## Expanded Explanation

Decision No 768/2008/EC defines a set of modules, ranging from internal production control by the
manufacturer, to type examination and quality assurance procedures involving an independent notified
body. Each piece of product legislation states which modules are available for that product,
according to the risk involved.

Whichever module applies, the manufacturer must compile technical documentation, draw up a
declaration of conformity and, where required, affix the CE marking. Harmonised standards published
in the Official Journal give a presumption of conformity: following them is voluntary, but doing so
shifts the burden of proof.

Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, passport related requirements form part of
this picture rather than sitting beside it. Where a delegated act requires passport information, its
correctness becomes part of what conformity means for that product.

## Why It Matters

Passport content and technical documentation must agree. If a declared material composition,
efficiency figure or certification reference in the passport differs from the technical file, the
inconsistency is itself a compliance finding, and it is visible to anyone who scans the product.

## Common Misconceptions

#### CE marking is a quality mark or a third party approval

The CE marking is the manufacturer's own declaration that the product meets applicable EU
requirements. Only some product categories require a notified body, and the marking says nothing
about quality beyond legal conformity.

## Related Terms

* [Economic Operator](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/economic-operator)
* [Market Surveillance](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/market-surveillance)
* [Delegated Act](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/delegated-act)
* [ESPR](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/espr)

## Related Knowledge Base Articles

* [Who Needs a Digital Product Passport?](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/who-needs-a-digital-product-passport)
* [What Is a Digital Product Passport?](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/what-is-a-digital-product-passport)

## Related Articles

* [EU Declaration of Conformity](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/eu-declaration-of-conformity)
* [Harmonised Standard](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/harmonised-standard)
* [Notified Body](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/notified-body)
* [Presumption of Conformity](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/presumption-of-conformity)
* [Technical Documentation](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/technical-documentation)
* [Authorised Representative](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/authorised-representative)
* [Corrective Action](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/corrective-action)
* [Market Surveillance](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/market-surveillance)

## See Also

* [Governance & Assurance](/docs/knowledge-base/compliance-frameworks/overview)
* [Regulations](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/overview)

## References

* Decision No 768/2008/EC on a common framework for the marketing of products:
  [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2008/768(1)/oj](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2008/768\(1\)/oj)
* European Commission, The Blue Guide on the implementation of EU product rules:
  [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022XC0629%2804%29](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022XC0629%2804%29)
* Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, Official Journal of the European Union:
  [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj)

## About This Article

About This Article

<dl>
  <dt>
    Last Reviewed
  </dt>

  <dd>
    2026-08-07
  </dd>

  <dt>
    Next Scheduled Review
  </dt>

  <dd>
    2027-08-07
  </dd>

  <dt>
    Article Version
  </dt>

  <dd>
    1.0
  </dd>
</dl>

tieback Knowledge is a continuously maintained reference library covering Digital Product
Passports, product traceability, product compliance and related regulations. Articles are
reviewed regularly as legislation, standards and implementation guidance evolve.

## Related Docs

* [Governance & Assurance](/docs/knowledge-base/compliance-frameworks/overview)
* [Regulations](/docs/knowledge-base/regulations/overview)
* [Digital Product Passports](/docs/knowledge-base/digital-product-passports/overview)
* [Glossary](/docs/knowledge-base/glossary/overview)