E-Marking Countries — Which Nations Accept E-Mark Certification?
Complete guide to E-mark certification, including the full list of countries with E-mark codes, the difference between e-mark and E-mark, and how the UNECE 1958 Agreement enables mutual recognition.
What Is E-Marking?
E-marking (also written as E-mark) is a type approval certification system established under the UNECE 1958 Agreement. When a vehicle, component, or system receives type approval under a UNECE regulation, it is granted an E-mark that certifies it meets the technical requirements of that regulation. The E-mark is recognized by all contracting parties to the 1958 Agreement that have adopted the relevant regulation, providing a powerful mechanism for international market access through mutual recognition.
For electromagnetic compatibility, the relevant regulation is ECE R10, which governs the EMC of vehicles and electronic sub-assemblies (ESAs). An E-mark granted under ECE R10 confirms that the product meets the emission and immunity requirements defined in the regulation. This certification is mandatory for vehicles and automotive components sold in markets that require ECE type approval, including all European Union member states and many other countries worldwide.
E-Mark vs. e-Mark: Understanding the Difference
Two marking systems exist for automotive type approvals, and they are frequently confused:
E-Mark (Capital E in a Circle)
The E-mark is issued under UNECE regulations adopted through the 1958 Agreement. It applies to a wide range of vehicle components and systems (lighting, braking, EMC, noise, etc.) and is recognized by all contracting parties to the agreement. The E-mark consists of the letter “E” inside a circle, followed by the country code of the granting authority.
e-Mark (Lowercase e in a Rectangle)
The e-mark is issued under European Union Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EU WVTA) directives and regulations. It applies specifically within the EU framework and is administered by EU member state type approval authorities. The e-mark consists of a lowercase “e” inside a rectangle, followed by the member state code.
Practical Distinction
| Feature | E-Mark | e-Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | UNECE 1958 Agreement | EU directives/regulations |
| Symbol | E in circle | e in rectangle |
| Scope | All 1958 Agreement contracting parties | EU member states |
| Applicable to | Components, systems, vehicles | Primarily whole vehicle type approval |
| EMC regulation | ECE R10 | References ECE R10 |
In practice, for EMC purposes, the requirements are largely identical because the EU references ECE R10 for its EMC type approval requirements. A component with an ECE R10 E-mark meets the EMC requirements for EU market access.
Complete List of E-Mark Country Codes
Each contracting party to the 1958 Agreement is assigned a unique numeric code that appears in the E-mark. The following table provides the complete list of assigned country codes:
| Code | Country | Code | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Germany | E2 | France |
| E3 | Italy | E4 | Netherlands |
| E5 | Sweden | E6 | Belgium |
| E7 | Hungary | E8 | Czech Republic |
| E9 | Spain | E10 | Serbia |
| E11 | United Kingdom | E12 | Austria |
| E13 | Luxembourg | E14 | Switzerland |
| E16 | Norway | E17 | Finland |
| E18 | Denmark | E19 | Romania |
| E20 | Poland | E21 | Portugal |
| E22 | Russian Federation | E23 | Greece |
| E24 | Ireland | E25 | Croatia |
| E26 | Slovenia | E27 | Slovakia |
| E28 | Belarus | E29 | Estonia |
| E31 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | E32 | Latvia |
| E34 | Bulgaria | E36 | Lithuania |
| E37 | Turkey | E39 | Azerbaijan |
| E40 | North Macedonia | E42 | European Union |
| E43 | Japan | E45 | Australia |
| E46 | Ukraine | E47 | South Africa |
| E48 | New Zealand | E49 | Cyprus |
| E50 | Malta | E51 | Republic of Korea |
| E52 | Malaysia | E53 | Thailand |
| E54 | Albania | E55 | Montenegro |
| E56 | Moldova | E57 | Algeria |
| E58 | Tunisia | E59 | Georgia |
| E60 | Armenia | E62 | Egypt |
Note: Some code numbers (E15, E30, E33, E35, E38, E41, E44, E61) are either reserved, unassigned, or belong to countries that have not applied specific regulations. Always verify current status with the relevant type approval authority.
Which Countries Require E-Marking?
Mandatory Markets
E-mark certification is mandatory for vehicles and automotive components in the following regions:
- European Union: All 27 member states require ECE type approval (including ECE R10 for EMC) for vehicle registration and the sale of regulated components.
- United Kingdom: Post-Brexit, the UK continues to accept E-mark approvals and maintains its E11 type approval authority.
- EFTA countries: Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein accept E-mark approvals.
- Turkey: Requires E-mark certification for automotive components aligned with EU requirements.
- Other contracting parties: Most contracting parties that have adopted ECE R10 require E-mark certification for vehicles and components entering their markets.
Voluntary / Accepted Markets
Some countries accept E-mark certification but do not strictly mandate it. In these markets, an E-mark may facilitate market access, satisfy importer requirements, or serve as evidence of compliance with local regulations:
- Japan (E43): Accepts E-marks under mutual recognition but also maintains domestic approval systems.
- Australia (E45): Accepts E-marks for many component categories alongside ADR (Australian Design Rule) compliance.
- Republic of Korea (E51): Recognizes E-marks in conjunction with local KMVSS requirements.
Markets Outside the 1958 Agreement
Countries that are not party to the 1958 Agreement do not recognize E-marks. Major automotive markets outside the agreement include:
- United States: Uses FCC regulations (e.g., FCC Part 15) and FMVSS standards.
- Canada: Uses ICES regulations and CMVSS standards.
- China: Uses GB national standards (e.g., GB/T 18655, GB 14023).
- India: Uses AIS (Automotive Industry Standards) and BIS requirements.
- Brazil: Uses INMETRO and CONTRAN regulations.
Products destined for these markets require separate compliance with local regulations.
How the E-Mark Approval Process Works
- Choose a type approval authority: Select any contracting party country. Common choices include Germany (E1), the Netherlands (E4), and Luxembourg (E13) based on processing speed and cost.
- Select an accredited test laboratory: The laboratory must be designated as a technical service by the chosen type approval authority.
- Conduct testing: Complete all required EMC tests per the applicable ECE R10 revision. For a full overview of applicable countries, see our ECE R10 countries guide.
- Submit test results: The technical service provides a test report to the type approval authority.
- Receive approval certificate: The authority issues a type approval certificate with an E-mark number.
- Apply the E-mark: Affix the E-mark to the product, packaging, or data plate as required.
How TESTUPS Can Help
TESTUPS supports manufacturers through the complete E-mark certification process for EMC. As an accredited testing partner, we conduct ECE R10 testing to the latest revision requirements and work with type approval authorities across multiple contracting party countries. Our team handles test planning, execution, reporting, and coordination with the approval authority to deliver your E-mark certificate efficiently. Whether you need certification for a single ESA or a complete vehicle platform, TESTUPS provides the expertise and infrastructure to get your product to market.
Contact TESTUPS to start your E-mark certification project.
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