Decorative Lighting for European Importers

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Which EU rules apply to decorative luminaires?

Five instruments cover most decorative lighting sold into the EU. The first four are the manufacturer's responsibility; the last two normally fall on the EU importer or authorised representative. The split is confirmed per market before a first order, because registration duties differ between member states.

Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU	Any luminaire operating in the 50–1000 V AC range. Covers electrical safety.
EMC Directive 2014/30/EU	Fittings with an integrated or remote driver. Covers emissions and immunity.
RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU	All luminaires. Restricts lead, mercury, cadmium and other substances.
Ecodesign 2009/125/EC and Regulation (EU) 2019/2020	Light sources and luminaires containing them. Sets efficacy, standby and removability requirements, and requires EPREL registration of the light source.
WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU	Electrical and electronic equipment. Producer registration is normally held by the EU importer in each member state.
Packaging EPR rules	Retail and transport packaging. Registration is normally the importer's obligation and differs by country.

EPREL registration is a public database, so a European buyer can verify a light source before ordering. Where a model uses a light source that needs registration, the registration status is confirmed per model and order rather than assumed.

What documentation should a European importer expect from a Chinese lighting factory?

EU Declaration of Conformity naming the directives applied to that model.
Test reports for the relevant standards, matching the model in the quotation.
RoHS test summary or declaration for housing, diffuser and finish.
Light source data: wattage, lumen output, CCT, CRI, and EPREL status where applicable.
Packaging data: carton dimensions, pieces per carton, CBM, and container quantity — confirmed per model and order.
Warranty terms in writing, including what is covered and how replacements are handled.

A factory-wide certificate is not the same as a model-level test report. Importers should ask for the report that carries the model number on the quotation. Where a certificate covers a family of products rather than a single model, that scope is stated explicitly rather than implied.

How does the UK differ from the EU?

Great Britain uses the UKCA marking route, which is administered separately from the EU CE regime. The two are not automatically interchangeable, and the current recognition status of CE marking in Great Britain is set by UK government publication rather than by the EU directives. Buyers shipping to both should confirm the marking route per destination before the order is placed.

What do European buyers usually ask before a first order?

European decorative lighting buyers tend to be specification-driven rather than price-only. The questions that decide an order are usually these, and each is answered against the actual model rather than a catalogue average.

Which driver is used, and is it a brand the buyer can service locally?
What CRI and CCT options exist, and is dimming available — trailing edge, 0–10 V or DALI?
How consistent is colour between production batches?
Can the finish be matched to a sample, and what is the tolerance?
What spare parts ratio ships with the container, and how are replacements handled in the two-year warranty period?
Can the fitting be packed for a specific retail or project requirement?

Lumen output, CRI and IP rating are confirmed per model and order. We do not publish a single figure across a category, because it would not be true for every model in it.

Commercial terms for European orders

Incoterms	FOB, EXW, DDP or DAP — named port or destination confirmed on the quotation.
Payment	30% deposit with order, 70% balance before shipment.
Lead time, standard models	7–25 days depending on quantity.
Lead time, custom models	15–30 days depending on quantity and requirements.
Warranty	Two years, covering the complete fitting and the light source. Faults are resolved by repair or replacement parts.
Sampling	Sample approval before mass production; the sample schedule is agreed per model.

Factory capacity is 1,000 m² with five production lines, 30 staff and roughly 10,000 pieces per month. That matters to European buyers mainly at the replenishment stage: repeat orders on a running model can be scheduled without a new tooling cycle.

Which ranges suit European retail and project work?

The catalogue is organised by fitting type rather than by collection, which makes it easier to build a balanced container.

Chandeliers — ring, tiered cluster, glass, globe and sculptural forms.
Pendant lights — minimalist, linear, cluster and ring designs.
Ceiling lights — flush and semi-flush, including wood-frame and ring formats.
Wall lights — bedside, linear and decorative sconces.
Table lamps — minimalist, decorative and rechargeable portable models.

OEM and ODM programmes, including private label and custom finishes, are described on Wholesale, OEM and ODM. Buyers comparing the two models of supply can start from OEM versus ODM lighting manufacturing.

Compare the other markets

Decorative lighting for European importers: compliance first, then commercial terms — Frequently Asked Questions

Are your luminaires CE marked?

Yes. CE marking is applied across the decorative lighting range, supported by a Declaration of Conformity and test reports for the directives that apply to the model. The report matching a specific model is supplied with the quotation on request.

Who registers for WEEE and packaging EPR?

Producer registration for WEEE and packaging EPR is normally held by the importer or an authorised representative inside the EU, and the requirement differs by member state. We provide the product and packaging data the registration needs; the registration itself is confirmed per market before the first order.

Can you supply DDP to a European warehouse?

DDP and DAP are both available alongside FOB and EXW. The named destination, duty treatment and delivery scope are confirmed on the quotation, because DDP terms vary with the destination country and the importer's registration status.

What is the minimum order for a first European order?

Minimum order quantity is set per model rather than per container, so a first order can mix several models. The exact MOQ for each model is confirmed on the quotation.

How long does production take after deposit?

Standard models run 7–25 days depending on quantity. Custom models run 15–30 days depending on quantity and requirements. Both are confirmed against the specific order.