Who is liable if I import a robot directly from abroad?

Whoever places a product from a third country on the EU market for the first time legally becomes the importer and takes on far-reaching obligations.

These include: verifying that the manufacturer has carried out the conformity assessment, keeping the technical documentation available, enclosing the operating manual in the language of the country, stating name and address on the product, and duties to cooperate with market surveillance.

A direct import is therefore rarely as commercially advantageous as it first appears. Buying from a supplier who has already taken on the importer role shifts these obligations.

Which evidence to check is set out in guide to CE conformity.