CE Marking and REACH for Intimate Products

When you buy an intimate wellness product, its design, material and features matter. It is also useful to understand what the regulatory information on the packaging actually means. CE marking, REACH and claims such as “phthalate-free” are often presented as if they were equivalent, even though each relates to different obligations.

Understanding these differences helps avoid two common mistakes: believing that CE marking is a quality seal awarded by the European Union, or assuming that every intimate product must carry it.

What CE marking really means

CE marking is the manufacturer’s declaration that a product complies with the European Union harmonisation legislation applicable to it. It is not an award, a voluntary certification or an individual approval issued by the European Commission.

It should only be placed on product categories for which European legislation expressly requires it. If a product is not covered by any such legislation, CE marking must not be used.

Do all intimate products need CE marking?

No. The answer depends on each product’s design, components and functions.

Manual products without electronics: they are not normally subject to CE marking unless their characteristics bring them within the scope of other European legislation that requires it. They must nevertheless be safe and comply with applicable general obligations, including the General Product Safety Regulation and relevant chemical restrictions.
Electrical or electronic products without wireless connectivity: they may be subject, among other rules, to electromagnetic compatibility and RoHS requirements. The Low Voltage Directive applies only when equipment operates within the legally established voltage ranges; it should not automatically be cited for every USB-rechargeable product.
Products connected by Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or another radio technology: they normally need to be assessed under the Radio Equipment Directive, together with any other applicable obligations such as RoHS and battery legislation.

Conformity should therefore not be determined by a product’s commercial name, but through a technical assessment of each model.

Which documents support CE marking?

Before applying CE marking, the manufacturer must identify the applicable legislation, assess the risks, compile the technical documentation and issue an EU Declaration of Conformity. Depending on the product and the applicable rules, this documentation may include test reports, drawings, component specifications, risk analyses and the technical standards used.

The EU Declaration of Conformity must clearly identify the product or model, the manufacturer, the legislation applied and the person who assumes responsibility for the declaration. A laboratory report or a commercial document called a “CE Certificate” does not, by itself, replace that declaration or the technical file.

The product must also include the necessary identification and traceability information, together with instructions and warnings that are understandable in the market where it is sold.

What REACH regulates

REACH is the European regulation on chemicals. It is not a certification and compliance is not demonstrated by placing a REACH logo on the product. Among other obligations, it restricts certain substances present in materials and consumer articles.

For phthalates, European legislation restricts specific substances and defines limits, scope and exemptions. It is therefore not correct to state generally that “all phthalates are banned”, or that describing a material as “phthalate-free” automatically proves compliance with all applicable legislation.

In certain plasticised materials, REACH restricts DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP to 0.1% by weight, individually or in combination, within the scope established by the regulation. RoHS restrictions must also be considered for electrical and electronic equipment. The correct assessment depends on the material, the component and the legislation applicable to the product.

Why materials really matter

Claims such as “high-quality silicone”, “ABS” or “body-safe material” do not, on their own, constitute a legal category or proof of compliance. What matters is that the declared composition is consistent with the supplier’s documentation and, where necessary, with appropriate testing of the material or finished product.

Non-porous materials and properly sealed designs generally make cleaning and maintenance easier, but the manufacturer’s specific instructions must always be followed. You can find more information in our guide to safer materials in intimate products.

What to check before buying

That the manufacturer or responsible economic operator is clearly identified.
That the product page states the materials precisely rather than using vague expressions.
That CE marking appears when legally applicable, not as a decorative element.
That traceability is provided through a model, reference, batch or serial number.
That instructions, warnings and care information are supplied in an understandable language.
That the brand can provide the EU Declaration of Conformity when required.

How INTOYOU applies these criteria

At INTOYOU, we assess each model according to its characteristics, functions, electronic components, communication system, battery and materials. This allows us to identify the legislation and tests applicable to each product rather than using one generic declaration for the entire catalogue.

You can browse the complete INTOYOU collection and contact our team if you need additional information about a specific model.

Official sources

Last reviewed: August 2026. This content provides general consumer information and does not replace the product-specific conformity assessment required for each model.

CE marking and REACH for intimate products: what they really mean