Articles on: Product Issues & Safety

Are all products safety certified?

Are all products safety certified?


Yes—brands are responsible for ensuring all products meet EU safety standards before listing on Droppe. We verify documentation exists, but brands handle technical compliance and certification.


How product safety works on Droppe


Short answer: Brands certify, Droppe verifies.


What this means:

  • Brands: Obtain required certifications, test products, ensure compliance
  • Droppe: Check documentation exists during onboarding, remove non-compliant products if reported


We're transparent about this: we don't perform technical testing or issue certifications ourselves. That's the brand's job. We verify they've done it.


Required certifications by product type


Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)


EU Regulation: (EU) 2016/425


Must have:

  • CE marking (visible on product)
  • Declaration of Conformity from manufacturer
  • Instructions for Use (IFU) in local language
  • Notified body involvement for Category II and III PPE


Examples: Safety shoes, helmets, gloves, eye protection, harnesses, respiratory protection


Good to know: CE marking isn't just a sticker. It means the product underwent conformity assessment and meets EU health and safety requirements. Fake CE markings exist—report immediately if you suspect counterfeits.


Electrical Equipment


EU Directive: Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), EMC Directive (2014/30/EU)


Must have:

  • CE marking
  • Compliance with voltage and electromagnetic compatibility standards
  • Technical documentation (EN standards)


Examples: Power tools, battery chargers, portable lighting, inspection equipment


Chemical-Resistant Products


EU Regulation: REACH (EC 1907/2006), CLP (EC 1272/2008)


Must have:

  • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS)
  • Chemical resistance specifications
  • Compliance with substance restrictions
  • Labeling per CLP regulation


Examples: Chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, eye wash stations


Workwear (Non-PPE)


EU Regulation: General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC)


Must have:

  • Safe materials (no harmful substances)
  • Accurate size information
  • Care labels in local language
  • Compliance with textile regulations


Examples: Uniforms, work pants, polo shirts, fleece jackets (without safety function)


High-Visibility Clothing


EU Standard: EN ISO 20471


Must have:

  • CE marking (if classified as PPE)
  • Performance class labeling (Class 1, 2, or 3)
  • Reflective material specifications
  • Washing durability information


Examples: Reflective vests, high-vis jackets, workwear with reflective strips


What Droppe verifies during onboarding


When brands join our marketplace, we check:


1. Documentation review (administrative)

  • CE certificates provided for PPE
  • Declaration of Conformity documents exist
  • Instructions for Use available in required languages
  • Test reports from notified bodies (for PPE Category II and III)


2. Product listing accuracy

  • Safety specifications match certification documents
  • Product descriptions include required warnings
  • Images show CE marking where required
  • Size charts align with manufacturer specifications


3. Ongoing compliance monitoring

  • Remove products if safety concerns reported
  • Coordinate with brands when certifications expire
  • Update listings when regulations change (e.g., new PPE standards)


Important: We verify documents exist—we don't independently test products to confirm certifications are valid. If you suspect counterfeit certifications, report it immediately.


What we DON'T do


Be clear about our role: We're a marketplace, not a testing lab or certification body.


We don't:

  • Perform physical product testing
  • Issue CE markings or certifications
  • Validate technical compliance ourselves
  • Inspect every unit shipped
  • Certify products meet EN standards (brands do this)


Why this matters: If a product has a fake certification, we rely on brands to be honest. That's why we act fast when buyers report concerns—your feedback helps us catch problems.


Brand responsibilities


Brands must ensure:


Before listing:

  1. Products meet all applicable EU safety regulations
  2. Required certifications obtained from accredited bodies
  3. CE marking applied correctly (where required)
  4. Technical documentation complete and up-to-date
  5. Instructions for Use translated into all market languages


After listing:

  1. Monitor regulatory changes and update certifications
  2. Immediately report any safety issues discovered
  3. Provide updated documentation when certifications renewed
  4. Cover costs of recalls or corrective actions if non-compliance found


Consequences of non-compliance:

  • Product removal from marketplace
  • Account suspension or termination
  • Legal liability for any harm caused
  • Financial responsibility for recalls


Good to know: Brands sign an agreement confirming they're responsible for product compliance. We enforce this—brands that fail safety requirements lose access to our marketplace.


How to verify certifications yourself


For PPE products:

  1. Check for CE marking on product (physical marking, not just printed)
  2. Look for 4-digit notified body number next to CE (for Category II and III PPE)
  3. Request Declaration of Conformity (brands must provide on request)
  4. Verify notified body is legitimate: EU NANDO database


Red flags:

  • CE marking looks like "China Export" logo (similar but different)
  • No 4-digit number on safety-critical PPE
  • Brand refuses to provide Declaration of Conformity
  • Instructions only in English (not local language)
  • Price seems too good to be true (possible counterfeit)


Quick tip: If you're buying PPE for a workplace, your safety manager might need to see certifications. Request these BEFORE ordering—brands must provide them.


What if you discover non-compliant products?


1. Stop using immediately (especially safety equipment)

2. Contact us: orders@droppe.com or call for urgent safety issues

3. Provide evidence: Photos of missing CE markings, documentation gaps, or fake certifications


We'll do:

  • Investigate with brand within 24 hours
  • Pull products from marketplace if non-compliant
  • Notify other buyers who purchased same product
  • Report to EU authorities if required (RAPEX system)
  • Refund or replace at no cost to you


Our promise: We take compliance seriously. If we discover systematic certification fraud, we terminate the brand relationship immediately.


Future: Digital Product Passports (2026+)


What's changing: EU is requiring "Digital Product Passports" for many product categories, including textiles and PPE.


What this means:

  • QR codes on products linking to full compliance data
  • Traceability information (materials, manufacturing, environmental impact)
  • Real-time verification of certifications
  • Easier for buyers to confirm product authenticity


Droppe's preparation: We're working with brands to collect this data now so we're ready when regulations take effect.


Learn more about 2026 requirements in our TOS


Examples of certifications you'll see


Safety shoes:

  • EN ISO 20345 (protective footwear with toe protection)
  • Marking: S1, S1P, S2, S3 (different protection levels)
  • CE marking + notified body number


Safety gloves:

  • EN 388 (mechanical risks)
  • EN 374 (chemical risks)
  • EN 407 (thermal risks)
  • CE marking + notified body number + pictograms


High-visibility workwear:

  • EN ISO 20471 (high-visibility clothing)
  • Class 1, 2, or 3 (visibility performance)
  • CE marking (if PPE) or manufacturer marking (if non-PPE)


Workwear (non-PPE):

  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (textile safety—voluntary)
  • Material composition labeling per EU Regulation 1007/2011
  • Care labels per ISO 3758


Our philosophy on safety


Compliance first, sales second. We'd rather lose a profitable product than sell something unsafe.


Transparency over perfection. We can't catch every fake certification, but we're honest about our role. When you report concerns, we act immediately.


Trust, but verify. We trust brands to do the right thing, but we enforce consequences when they don't. Your safety is more important than any brand relationship.


Questions about certifications?


Need specific certification documents?

Request technical documents from brands


Suspect fake certifications?

Report safety concerns immediately


Want to verify a notified body?

EU NANDO Database


General questions:

Email orders@droppe.com or chat with us


Related articles:

Updated on: 06/11/2025

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