Products · Explainer
CE, Energy Label, UFI: Reading Product Safety Information
By Sara Vogel · Last updated 2026-08-20 · 7 min read
AI transparency note: Parts of this text were drafted with an AI system. All content was reviewed by the editorial team before publication (Text: draft generated with an AI model, reviewed and rewritten editorially).
In short
What the mandatory markings on a product page actually mean, and how to use them to compare two similar offers.
For whom: Shoppers comparing electronics, toys and household chemicals
- Which information sellers must show before you order
- What an energy efficiency class does and does not tell you
- How hazard pictograms and UFI codes help in an emergency
View matching products
See product pages with full compliance information.
What must be on every product page
Under the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988, listings must name the manufacturer and, for non-EU manufacturers, an EU responsible person with a postal address. Safety warnings must be visible before the order, not only in the box.
- Manufacturer and EU responsible person with contact details
- Warnings and, for toys, the age marking under EN 71
- Unit price for pre-packed goods under the Price Indication Ordinance
- Energy efficiency class with a link to the EPREL database
Reading a hazard label
Detergents, fertilisers and adhesives carry CLP labelling: a signal word, pictograms, H-statements describing the hazard and P-statements describing precautions. The UFI code identifies the exact mixture for poison control centres.
Common mistakes
A CE mark is a manufacturer's declaration, not an independent test seal — it says the product claims conformity, not that a lab approved it. Independent certification is a separate marking.
| Criterion | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Energy class | E | C |
| Luminous flux | 806 lm | 810 lm |
| Rated life | 15,000 h | 25,000 h |
| Price per 1,000 h | 0.19 EUR | 0.12 EUR |
Frequently asked questions
- Where do I find the unit price?
- Next to the total price on the product page, for example 29.67 EUR per litre for a 300 ml bottle.
- What does the age marking 3+ mean?
- The toy is not suitable for children under three, usually because of small parts that pose a choking hazard.
Editorial notice
This article provides general information only. It is not legal, tax or financial advice and does not replace individual professional consultation. Prices, availability and legal requirements can change at any time; the offer conditions of the respective seller, landlord or provider always apply.
This article is editorially independent and contains no paid placements or affiliate links. Reviewed and approved on 2026-08-20 by Sara Vogel (Editorial). Responsible for content under § 18 (2) MStV: see the imprint.
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