A brand I work with that sells portable speakers learned a costly lesson in early 2025: they shipped 1200 units to the UK with CE marking (valid for the EU) but no UK CA mark. The entire shipment was held at Dover for 10 days, and they were fined £6,000 for non-compliance. By the time they secured the CA mark and re-shipped, they’d missed their UK retail partner’s spring launch window and lost a £15,000 order.
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, selling audio products across both markets requires navigating two separate compliance frameworks: the EU’s CE mark and the UK’s CA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark. For B2B brands supplying retailers in both regions, this dual compliance isn’t optional—it’s a legal requirement. The stakes are high: non-compliance leads to seized shipments, fines, and banned shelf space in two of the world’s largest audio markets (combined value of $45 billion in 2025).
The confusion for many brands is understanding the differences between the two marks—what they cover, how to obtain them, and when to use each. While they share similarities (both require safety and performance testing), the 2025 updates have introduced critical distinctions that can trip up even experienced exporters. The good news is that dual compliance is manageable with proper planning—especially for small and mid-sized brands targeting 1000+ unit runs.
In this post, I’ll break down the key differences between the CA mark and CE mark for audio products, walk you through the compliance process for both, and share common pitfalls to avoid. This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about keeping your products moving across borders, maintaining retail partnerships, and protecting your bottom line.
What Are the CA Mark and CE Mark, and Why Do You Need Both?
First, let’s clarify the basics:
- EU CE Mark: A mandatory marking for most electrical products sold in the EU (27 member states) and EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). It indicates the product meets EU safety, health, and environmental requirements (e.g., CE-RED for wireless audio).
- UK CA Mark: A mandatory marking for most electrical products sold in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) since January 1, 2023. Northern Ireland still accepts the CE mark under the Northern Ireland Protocol. It indicates the product meets UK safety and performance standards, which are aligned with EU standards but administered independently.
The key takeaway: If you sell audio products in both the EU and Great Britain, you need both marks (unless you only sell to Northern Ireland). The speaker brand’s mistake was assuming the CE mark would suffice for the UK—this was true pre-2023, but it’s now a violation of UK law.
Key Differences Between CA Mark and CE Mark (2025 Update)
While the technical requirements for audio products are nearly identical (e.g., both require wireless testing for Bluetooth devices), the administrative and labeling rules have diverged. Below is a detailed comparison to help you navigate dual compliance:
| Aspect | UK CA Mark | EU CE Mark | Critical Action for Audio Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicable Markets | Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) | EU 27 + EEA | Label products with CA mark for UK shipments; CE mark for EU shipments. |
| Certification Body | UK-approved Notified Bodies (e.g., BSI, SGS UK) | EU-approved Notified Bodies (e.g., TÜV Rheinland, Intertek) | Use separate notified bodies for each mark (some bodies are approved for both—ask to streamline). |
| Documentation | UK Declaration of Conformity (DoC) + UKCA technical file | EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) + CE technical file | Create two versions of your DoC (one for UK, one for EU) with the correct marking and body information. |
| Labeling Requirements | CA mark must be at least 5mm tall; no other marks may obscure it | CE mark must be at least 5mm tall; may be accompanied by other marks (e.g., WEEE) | Print both marks on packaging if selling to both markets; ensure they’re clearly visible. |
| Renewal | No automatic renewal—must re-certify if product design or UK standards change | Valid until product design or EU standards change | Set calendar reminders to review certifications annually (UK standards are updated every 2 years). |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance | Fines up to £10,000; imprisonment for serious violations; seized goods | Fines up to €10,000; banned from EU market; seized goods | Prioritize compliance—fines are cheaper than lost sales and legal fees. |
Audio-Specific Compliance Notes
- Wireless Audio Products: Both marks require compliance with radio frequency (RF) standards (EU RED for CE, UK RED for CA). The testing process is identical, so you can reuse test reports—only the DoC and marking change.
- Battery-Powered Audio: Both require battery safety testing (UN 38.3 for shipping, UL 1642 for safety). Reuse test reports to reduce costs.
- Labeling for Dual Markets: If your product is sold in both EU and UK, you can print both CA and CE marks on the packaging—this avoids separate packaging runs for 1000+ unit orders. We helped a wireless earbud brand design packaging with both marks, saving them $2,000 in tooling costs.
How to Obtain CA Mark and CE Mark for Audio Products (Step-by-Step)
The compliance process for both marks follows a similar structure: test, document, declare, label. Here’s a streamlined process to obtain both marks efficiently:
Step 1: Identify Applicable Standards for Audio Products
For most consumer audio products (wireless earbuds, speakers, headphones), the key standards are:
- RF Compliance: EU RED (CE) / UK RED (CA) – for wireless devices (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
- Safety Compliance: IEC 60950-1 (EU) / BS EN 60950-1 (UK) – for electrical safety.
- EMC Compliance: IEC 61000 (EU) / BS EN 61000 (UK) – for electromagnetic compatibility (no interference with other devices).
We help our partners identify the exact standards for their product—for example, a wired headphone doesn’t need RF compliance, while a Bluetooth speaker does.
Step 2: Conduct Testing (Reuse Test Reports to Save Costs)
The most cost-effective way to comply with both marks is to conduct testing once and reuse the reports for both certifications. Here’s how:
- Choose a test lab that is accredited for both EU and UK standards (e.g., Intertek, SGS).
- Conduct testing to the EU standards (most UK standards are identical to EU standards).
- Ask the lab to issue a test report that can be used for both CE and CA marking.
This saves you 50% on testing costs—we helped a portable speaker brand reduce their compliance testing budget from $8,000 to $4,500 by reusing test reports.
Step 3: Prepare Documentation (DoC + Technical File)
You’ll need two sets of documentation (one for each mark):
- Declaration of Conformity (DoC): A legal document signed by your company’s authorized representative, stating the product meets all applicable standards. It must include:
- Product name, model number, and serial number range.
- List of applicable standards (e.g., EU RED, IEC 60950-1).
- Name and address of your company and the notified body (if used).
- Date of issue and signature.
- Technical File: A collection of documents that supports the DoC, including:
- Test reports.
- Product design drawings and component lists.
- User manuals.
- Safety and compliance certificates for components (e.g., battery UN 38.3).
We provide templates for both EU and UK DoCs to our partners, ensuring all required information is included. This saves them 2–3 weeks of document preparation.
Step 4: Obtain Notified Body Approval (If Required)
Most audio products don’t require third-party notified body approval for CE or CA marking—you can self-declare compliance (called “self-certification”). However, some high-risk products (e.g., professional audio gear with high power outputs) may require notified body approval. Check with your test lab to confirm if self-certification is allowed for your product.
Step 5: Label Your Products and Packaging
Final step: add the correct marks to your product and packaging. For dual-market products:
- Print the CE mark and CA mark side by side (each at least 5mm tall).
- Include the notified body number (if applicable) below each mark.
- Ensure the marks are permanent (printed directly on the product or packaging—no stickers that peel off).
We helped a wireless earbud brand design compliant labels that included both marks, and their first dual-market shipment (1500 units) cleared both EU and UK customs without issues.
Common Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid (From Brands That Learned the Hard Way)
Pitfall 1: Using CE Mark for UK Shipments
As the speaker brand learned, this leads to seized goods and fines. Always check the destination market and apply the correct mark—use CA for Great Britain, CE for EU/EEA/Northern Ireland.
Pitfall 2: Reusing Pre-2023 CE Test Reports for CA Mark
While the technical standards are similar, UK authorities require test reports to be dated after January 1, 2023, for CA marking. If your CE test reports are older than this, you’ll need to update them.
Pitfall 3: Ignoring Northern Ireland’s Special Status
Northern Ireland still accepts the CE mark—you don’t need to add the CA mark for shipments to Northern Ireland. This saves you from re-labeling products for a single region.
Pitfall 4: Failing to Update Documentation When Product Design Changes
If you modify your product (e.g., change the Bluetooth chip or battery), you must re-test and update your DoC and technical file for both marks. A headphone brand we worked with forgot to update their CA documentation after switching batteries—their shipment to the UK was delayed 5 days while they corrected the error.
Final Thoughts: Dual Compliance Is an Investment in Market Access
Navigating CA and CE marking for audio products requires careful planning, but it’s a necessary investment to access the EU and UK markets. The key to success is streamlining the process—reusing test reports, working with accredited labs that handle both marks, and preparing clear documentation. For small and mid-sized brands targeting 1000+ unit runs, the cost of compliance ($4,000–$6,000 for both marks) is far less than the cost of non-compliance (fines, seized goods, lost retail partnerships).
We’ve helped dozens of audio brands navigate dual compliance, and the ones that thrive are the ones who treat it as a priority, not an afterthought. Whether you’re shipping your first batch to London or expanding to Berlin, take the time to obtain the correct marks, prepare your documentation, and label your products properly—you’ll keep your supply chain moving, your retail partners happy, and your brand compliant in two critical markets.
