Chinese Supplier Certificates: What's Valid Under GPSR
A supplier on Alibaba sends you a PDF with "CE Certificate" in big letters and a logo that looks official.
A supplier on Alibaba sends you a PDF with "CE Certificate" in big letters and a logo that looks official. You write "we have a certificate" and sleep soundly — until a UOKiK inspector asks what basis you have for treating the product as compliant with Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR), in force since 13 December 2024. That's when it turns out half of these Chinese "certificates" don't mean what you think. A certificate isn't a magic paper that removes your responsibility.
This article shows which certificates from a Chinese supplier actually have value under GPSR, which are useless, and how to verify them before you file them into your documentation.
Key takeaways
- GPSR doesn't require a "GPSR certificate" — it requires a risk assessment and technical documentation. Certificates are evidence, not the goal itself.
- What has real value is a test report from an accredited laboratory for your specific model, not a factory declaration.
- The CE mark is often misused — a lookalike "China Export" mark also exists.
- As an importer, you take on the manufacturer's obligations regardless — your supplier's certificate doesn't release you from them.
Which documents actually matter
Not every "certificate" carries the same weight. Here's the credibility hierarchy:
| Document | Value under GPSR | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Test report from an accredited lab (SGS, TÜV, Intertek, Bureau Veritas) | High | Must cover exactly your model |
| EU declaration of conformity (where directives apply) | High, if backed by tests | A declaration alone with no evidence = weak |
| "Standalone" CE certificate from the factory | Low | Often unsupported by testing |
| "CE" as China Export | Zero | A different mark, different meaning |
| Generic "GPSR Certificate" | Suspicious | GPSR doesn't provide for such a certificate |
Got certificates from your supplier but don't know what to do with them?
GPSRReady gives you a technical documentation and risk-assessment framework you can slot valuable test reports into, while filtering out useless paperwork. You also get warning and importer label templates that no Chinese certificate can replace.
Watch out for "CE" and "China Export"
The European CE mark (Conformité Européenne) signals a declaration of conformity with EU requirements. However, a deceptively similar "China Export" mark exists — the same letters, but more tightly spaced. Many Chinese manufacturers apply it with no connection to actual compliance. The CE mark on a product alone proves nothing without the documentation behind it.
Also: not every consumer product requires CE marking at all. GPSR is about general safety — it also covers products for which CE isn't required (e.g. furniture, textiles, small accessories). For these, a CE certificate is often irrelevant, and what counts is the risk assessment.
How to verify a test report
- Check that the name and number of an accredited laboratory appear (SGS, TÜV, Intertek, etc.).
- Verify the report number — reputable labs let you confirm authenticity.
- Make sure the model/variant in the report matches the model you're importing.
- Check which standards and parameters were tested — do they cover your category's risks?
- Note the date — tests from years ago on an older product version can be outdated.
For how to actually get such reports from your supplier, see How to get documentation from a Chinese manufacturer.
Why a certificate doesn't remove your responsibility
Even the best test report doesn't stop you from being an importer. GPSR places obligations on an entity in the EU — and when there's no manufacturer in the Union, you take on the manufacturer's obligations. The certificate is evidence in your documentation, but you're responsible for its completeness, the risk assessment and the warnings. This mechanism is explained in Importer as manufacturer — when you take on the obligations.
Certificate vs risk assessment — not the same thing
A common mistake: "I have a certificate, so I have a risk assessment." No. A certificate confirms specific standards were met in a specific test. A risk assessment is your own analysis of how the product could be used, who uses it and what hazards could arise in foreseeable use. The two complement each other, but a certificate doesn't replace the risk assessment GPSR requires.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official "GPSR certificate"?
No. GPSR doesn't provide for a single certificate confirming compliance. It requires a risk assessment and technical documentation. If a supplier offers a "GPSR Certificate", treat it with caution — it's usually a marketing document with no basis in the regulation.
Is the CE mark enough for GPSR compliance?
Not on its own. The CE mark relates to specific directives and must be backed by documentation. GPSR additionally requires a risk assessment, Polish-language warnings, importer details and traceability. Also, some consumer products don't require CE at all yet are still subject to GPSR.
How do I spot a fake test report?
Warning signs: no report number, no way to verify it with the laboratory, a different model in the report than the one you're buying, vague wording, no listed scope of tested parameters. Reputable laboratories (SGS, TÜV) let you confirm a report's authenticity — use that.
Can I rely on a certificate if I sell under my own brand?
Selling under your own brand makes you the manufacturer, and you carry full responsibility. Your supplier's certificate is then just one element of your documentation — you need your own risk assessment and complete technical documentation, and a certificate alone doesn't release you from that.