Who is legally responsible for CE compliance and the Declaration of Conformity?

The manufacturer placing the product on the EU market is legally responsible, even if testing and certification work is outsourced. This responsibility cannot be shifted to a test lab, a module vendor, or a contract manufacturer. The party named on the Declaration of Conformity is the one that EU authorities will hold accountable if the product is found noncompliant. That includes responsibility for maintaining the technical documentation, ensuring ongoing conformity as the product evolves, and taking corrective actions if issues are identified in the field.