Planning to start selling steel bars on the German market via eBay? This is a great idea! The demand for steel in Germany is huge and the eBay platform gives you the chance to reach a wide range of customers. However, before you list your products, it is worth knowing the legal and regulatory requirements that may affect your business.
Is a Polish certificate enough? Or do you have to meet additional requirements? Read our guide for answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Cutting steel bars - does that mean you are a manufacturer?
Do you have machines in your company that cut steel bars to size to fit your customers' needs? At first glance it may seem like a simple operation, but EU law defines exactly when a seller becomes a manufacturer.
Key question: Do your actions change the technical properties of the steel?
- If you change the properties of the barse.g. chemical composition, strength or their use in construction, you become a manufacturer. This brings with it additional obligations, including the need for CE marking.
- Example: A company that transforms steel bars into specialised structural components takes responsibility for their quality and safety.
- If you only cut steel to size and you do not influence its structure or technical properties, you remain the seller. In this case, you do not have to CE mark the product, as long as the steel is already certified by the manufacturer.
Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 regulates in detail the marketing of construction products. More information can be found here: EU Regulation.
How do I correctly mark the origin of steel on eBay?
Selling on eBay requires proper preparation in terms of product information. What if you have a warehouse full of steel bars from various Polish suppliers, and you don't always know which steel mill a particular batch comes from?
The law requires that the consumer has access to information about the origin of the goods. Here is how you can solve this:
- Write in the sales documents that the products come from certified suppliers from Poland or the EU and meet the required quality standards.
- If you cannot point to a specific steel mill, advise that the steel is sourced from a number of certified suppliers.
Example:
The description on eBay may state: "The product meets EU quality standards and is sourced from certified suppliers within the EU."
This simple solution will allow you to operate in compliance without having to provide detailed information.
New CE regulations from December 2024 - what do you need to know?
From December 2024, CE marking regulations will become stricter. For companies operating in the construction and steel markets, this means having to adapt to the new legal requirements.
What does this mean for your business?
- If you are a producer:
- If your activities change the technical properties of the steel (e.g. chemical composition, strength), you will be required to carry out a conformity assessment and obtain a CE mark.
- Example: The company converting steel into bridge components must ensure that the converted products carry the CE mark.
- If you are a retailer:
- If you sell steel already CE-marked by the manufacturer, you do not have to repeat the conformity assessment process.
- However, it is your responsibility to confirm that the products meet current standards.
- Example: You buy CE-marked steel and sell it without modification - you are safe, provided everything is compliant.
For more on the recipes, click here: Analysis of CE regulation.
Is an EAN number required on eBay?
When selling steel on eBay, the question often arises as to whether an EAN (European Article Number) is necessary. The answer depends on the type of product.
- New factory products:
- An identifier such as EAN, UPC or ISBN is required. This will make your products more visible to customers.
- Custom products:
- If the steel bars are cut to size and do not have an EAN assigned, you can indicate that the identifier "does not apply".
- Example: You are selling custom steel sections - eBay allows exceptions in such cases.
Why consider the EAN number?
The EAN number increases the visibility of products in search results, which can translate into higher sales. If you sell serialised products, it is worth investing in it.
Summary - How do you prepare to sell steel on eBay in Germany?
Trading steel on the German market via eBay is a great opportunity, but requires proper preparation.
- Determine whether you are a manufacturer or a retailer to determine your CE certification obligations.
- Look out for upcoming changes to the CE marking regulations, which will come into force in December 2024.
- Find out if it's worth using an EAN number to increase the visibility of your products on eBay.
Do you have questions?
Not sure how to prepare for international trade? Contact us for professional legal support.
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