In 1958, CECED was founded on the initiative of the Western-European National Associations. Since 1997 it has established a permanent office in Brussels to better represent the industry vis-á-vis the European Union institutions. Direct membership for individual companies was also introduced in that year. In 1999 CECED has streamlined its organisation and has set up its current structure.
Later, Slovak officials acknowledged the objections of CECED Slovakia and agreed to exclude CECED home appliance producers from the commitment to contribute to the Recycling Fund.
CECED represents about 280 companies active in the production of small and large home appliances, as well as heating and air-conditioning systems in the EU.
The overall turnover of CECED's members in the EU is €40 billion.