I'm really curious how they handled certification of a design that was changing apaprently up to the minute it was delivered...

My first guess was that they used an external brick for the power supply with a relatively low output voltage--that would eliminate a lot of the CE test load. However, a cursory glance at the product photos suggests the power supply sits within the base of the lamp. Maybe the product developer can shed some more light on this. ;-)

That would certainly make certification easier, but as I suspect you understand, wouldnt achieve it alone.

Even if every component was CE qualified, the combination would have to pass its own testing, plus there are a lot more to the standards than just not electrocuting you immediately upon contact.

I can't see any of the energy efficiency labelling that would be required in the UK or EU for example...

1. there's no official mention of any CE / FCC certification

2. I asked shortly after the author offered to answer questions, but there was no response

I'm starting to wonder if this project maybe just shipped without CE / FCC certification because they didn't know it would be required.

In the absence of any evidence to the contrary it certainly seems likely.

Pretty concerning for such a high power device.

FWIW I've had good luck with Intertek https://www.intertek.com/ for most testing and certification processes across a variety of products.