Placing on the market is defined under Ecodesign as 'making a product available on the Union market for the first time with a view to its distribution or use within the Union, whether for reward or free of charge and irrespective of the selling technique'.
'Placing on the market' can be done by the manufacturer or by an importer. According to Union legislation, each individual product can be placed on the Union market only once. Once placed on the market, compliant products may subsequently be made available along the delivery chain.
The Blue Guide, the guide to the implementation of EU product legislation, provides for some further explanations in relation to 'placing on the market'.
Disclaimer: Please note that the European Commission cannot provide a legally binding interpretation of the EU legislation, as this is the sole competence of the European Court of Justice. Any remarks from the European Commission services are without prejudice to the position the Commission might take should related cases arise in a procedure before the Court of Justice.