What Is GetSmandered Round 0? A Practical Look at CE Compliance for Makers
Bringing a hardware product to market in Europe almost always means dealing with CE compliance — a process that is often confusing, time-consuming, and expensive, especially for small teams and independent makers. This is exactly the gap that GetSmandered Round 0, a program by Smander, aims to address.
In this post, I’ll explain what GetSmandered Round 0 is, who it’s designed for, what it actually does, and then offer a balanced pros and cons analysis to help you decide whether it’s a good fit for your project.
What Is GetSmandered Round 0?
GetSmandered Round 0 is a group-based CE compliance support program aimed at makers, open-source hardware developers, and small teams producing simple electronic products.
Instead of hiring an expensive, one-on-one compliance consultant, participants join a shared “round”. By pooling similar products and workflows, Smander reduces the individual cost and effort required to prepare CE documentation and understand regulatory requirements.
Round 0 is explicitly positioned as an early, experimental cohort — focused on learning, iteration, and making CE compliance more accessible to people who normally find it overwhelming or out of reach.
What Does the Program Actually Do?
The program doesn’t magically “grant” a CE mark — that responsibility always stays with the manufacturer — but it guides participants through the process and helps prepare the required documentation.
Typical inclusions are:
- A product assessment to identify which EU directives apply
- A risk analysis template, with optional professional review
- A clear TO-DO list outlining remaining compliance steps
- Consultation time to explain requirements and answer questions
- Preparation of CE documentation, such as:
- Declaration of Conformity
- Safety information
- Technical documentation files
There are also optional upgrades, such as additional consultation hours, printed documentation, or EU representative services for non-EU makers.
The key idea is structure: instead of guessing what you need, you’re guided through a defined, understandable workflow.
Who Is It For?
GetSmandered Round 0 is not for everyone — and that’s intentional.
It’s best suited for:
- Independent makers and small teams
- Open-source hardware projects
- Simple electronic products
- Devices without moving parts
- Products that are not medical, safety-critical, or industrial-grade
It’s particularly attractive for people who want to sell hardware in the EU but don’t have the budget or scale for traditional compliance consulting.
If your product is complex, regulated under medical or safety standards, or proprietary in nature, this program is likely not a good fit.
The Pros: Why This Is Interesting
Lower Cost Than Traditional Consulting
By sharing the workload across a group, participants benefit from significantly reduced costs compared to hiring a private compliance consultant.
Designed for Makers and Open Source
Most compliance services are built for corporations, not hobbyists or open-source teams. GetSmandered is clearly tailored to the maker ecosystem.
Clear, Actionable Guidance
Instead of vague advice, participants receive concrete deliverables: templates, checklists, and explanations that demystify the process.
Focus on Documentation (The Hard Part)
Many makers underestimate how important documentation is for CE compliance. This program puts that front and center and helps you do it correctly.
Flexible Add-Ons
Optional services allow participants to scale support up or down depending on their needs and budget.
The Cons: Where the Limitations Are
Very Limited Scope
Round 0 only supports simple, open-source electronic products. Anything more complex is excluded.
Not Fully Turnkey
You still have to do work yourself: provide files, answer questions, possibly ship a product sample, and follow through on testing.
Lab Testing Is Not Included
If your product requires EMC or safety testing (which many do), those costs are separate and can be significant.
Pricing Depends on Participation
Because it’s group-based, the final price depends on how many people join the round. Fewer participants can mean higher costs.
Still Costs Money
While cheaper than traditional consulting, this is not a free or purely community-driven effort.
Final Thoughts
GetSmandered Round 0 sits in an interesting middle ground: it’s not a DIY guide, but it’s also not a corporate-level compliance service. Instead, it offers structured, affordable support for makers who want to do CE compliance properly without drowning in regulations or spending more than their project is worth.
If you’re an open-source hardware developer or small maker planning to sell electronics in the EU, this kind of group-based compliance support could save you time, stress, and costly mistakes — as long as your product fits the program’s scope and you’re ready to stay actively involved.
For the right audience, it’s a promising step toward making hardware compliance less intimidating and more accessible.