The electrotechnical and electronic sector: growth, opportunities and certifications in Italy and Europe

The electrotechnical and electronic industry is one of the mainstays of the Italian and European manufacturing economy. In a rapidly evolving global context – marked by the energy transition, the digitalisation of production processes, and the rise of artificial intelligence applied to industry – the sector proves to be not only resilient but also capable of generating structural growth and skilled employment.

The sector in Italy, considering its structure, size, and business types

There ANIE Federation (National Federation of Electrotechnical and Electronic Companies), a member of Confindustria, constitutes the main institutional reference point for the sector, representing over 1,100 high and medium-high technology companies active in the electrotechnical and electronic supply chains. In 2025 the sector employed 480,000 staff and recorded an aggregate turnover of 112 billion euros.

From a dimensional structure perspective, the business fabric is predominantly composed of micro and small enterprises: micro-enterprises, in fact, represent, 39.8% of the total, while small businesses account for 9.4%, confirming a Italian production model which finds its strength in capillary articulation and specialisation in technological niches of excellence.

The geographical distribution reflects the manufacturing character of Northern Italy: 72.1% of ANIE member companies have their production and research facilities in the north, with Lombardy remaining the key region, accounting for 26.31% of the national concentration of electronics manufacturers.

The evolution of turnover in a net growth trajectory

The trend in the sector's aggregate turnover tells a story of constant expansion over the past decade. In 2017, the sector generated a total turnover of 78 billion euros, with 468,000 employees. Already in 2019, the value had risen to 84 billion, marking significant progress even in the phase prior to the pandemic shocks.

The 2022 represented a milestone since the aggregate comprising the building, energy, infrastructure and industrial technology sectors has reached 92.6 billion euros, with a 20.81% increase compared with the previous year. The domestic market exceeded €53 billion in turnover, up 27.31% on 2021, whilst exports exceeded €26 billion, up 16.91%.

In 2025, the aggregated turnover reached a record figure of 112 billion euros, with the electrotechnical sector contributing 48.5 billion euros, while electronics generated 20 billion euros. These results are all the more significant when compared to national manufacturing, which recorded a production contraction in the same period; a factor that leads to the conclusion that these sectors possess above-average resilience and growth capabilities.

The internationalisation of markets as a key element for increasing sales

Internationalisation represents one of the main drivers of development for companies in the sector. Italian exports of electrotechnical technologies amounting to a total of 27 billion euros, a figure which positions Italy among the main European suppliers of electrical systems and equipment.

The US market is confirmed as strategic and strongly expanding: in the last year, exports from the electrotechnical and electronic sector to the USA reached almost 4 billion euros, recording growth of 11.51% year-on-year. The trade balance with the United States – the difference between the value of Italy’s exports to the United States and the value of its imports from there – rose from €815 million in 2019 to over €2 billion in 2024, doubling compared with pre-pandemic levels. This trend continued into the first half of 2025, with sales to the US market growing by over 12% compared to the same period in 2024.

One particularly significant indicator relates to the overall production volumes of the ANIE sectors, which are set to reach record highs in 2025, representing a 12% increase compared with pre-Covid levels. This result demonstrates not only the sector’s resilience but also its structurally upward trajectory.

The European landscape: a €5.765 trillion market

As one might imagine, to fully understand the position of the Italian electrical and electronics industry, it is necessary to place it within a continental and global context. According to the latest figures from the ZVEI (the German Electrical and Digital Industry Association), the global market for electrical and digital products has reached a value of €5.765 trillion. Forecasts indicate growth of 5% by 2026, the year in which the global market is expected to exceed the €6 trillion mark for the first time.

Within this scenario, Germany confirms itself as the main manufacturing power European sector, with an export volume of electrical and digital products equal to 246 billion euros. The European electronic manufacturing services (EMS) market accounts for approximately 25%%of the sector's global turnover, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%%.

In terms of applications, the automotive sector remains the leading user industry, driven by the demands associated with the transition to electric mobility. The energy and clean technology sector, on the other hand, is the one with the highest projected growth, with an expected CAGR of 7.91% up to 2030, confirming the central role that electronic technologies play and will continue to play in Europe’s energy transition.

In recent years, the European market for the distribution of electronic components has seen growth of 70% in volume and 50% in turnover; figures that reflect structurally robust demand and a rapidly expanding manufacturing ecosystem.

The certification system, between burdens and quality assurance: CE Marking

The European system for the conformity of electrical and electronic products is structured across distinct and complementary levels, each with its own function and specific weight in the value chain. CE marking is, as is well known, the Mandatory minimum requirement for placing on the European market. Its scope is broad and includes some of the main directives governing the sector: the Low Voltage Directive (LVD), which concerns the electrical safety of equipment operating within certain voltage levels; the RED Directive (Radio Equipment Directive), which governs radio devices and wireless communications; the EMC Directive (Electromagnetic Compatibility), which verifies that equipment does not produce interference and is immune to external interference; the Directive RoHS, which restricts the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; and the Ecodesign Regulation, which imposes energy efficiency and environmental sustainability requirements on an ever-increasing number of product categories.

Electromagnetic compatibility, safety and radio testing

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), electrical safety, and radio testing are the three technical areas that cut across virtually all categories of electronic product. EMC tests verify that equipment does not generate interference towards other devices and is immune to external interference. Safety tests, conducted according to the Low Voltage Directive, ascertain the absence of risks for the user. Radio tests, governed by the RED Directive, concern all wireless devices – Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5G, DECT – and are grouped with SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) checks, which are mandatory for devices used in contact with the body.

If you wish to learn more about how to approach the certification process for your product, Sicom Testing offers a comprehensive range of specialised services: from CE marking all electromagnetic compatibility tests, From radio tests for wireless devices electrical safety tests, up to a path specifically dedicated to PMIs and startups who are entering the market for the first time. The laboratory assists companies at every stage, from product development to production controls throughout the entire commercial lifecycle.

Certifications for major non-European markets

The US market requires the FCC certification (Federal Communications Commission) for all radio and digital devices: a process involving specific tests for electromagnetic emissions, conducted by accredited laboratories, which complements – or in some cases overlaps – the requirements already met for European CE marking. For the Canada, the reference certification is the’ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development), often managed in parallel with the FCC within a single qualification path for the North American market. The UK uses the marking UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) as a standalone and separate requirement from CE marking, with its own conformity procedures, its own reference technical standards, and its own notified bodies.

For companies intending to expand beyond European borders, Sicom Testing offers the necessary services to address the certification requirements of the main international markets: from FCC and Canada certification for access to the North American market, to the marking UKCA for the United Kingdom. For a comprehensive overview of all services available, we recommend you visit Sicom Testing services page.

Sicom Testing operates daily alongside the Italian and European companies to transform regulatory compliance into a tangible competitive advantage, ensuring pathways custom testing and certification, under the stewardship of the brand, of corporate responsibility and Commercial value of the product.