UKCA Mark

What is the UKCA Mark?

UKCA marking (UK Conformity Assessed marking) is the UK product marking requirement that will be needed for products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), substituting the EU requirements for CE Marking (CE marking will continue to be accepted in Northern Ireland). UKCA marking will indicate that a product placed on the Great Britain market meets the UKCA Marking requirements. UKCA marking was specified in the original ‘EU Exit’ UK Statutory Instruments, and for most products this is defined in UK Statutory Instrument 2019 No. 696 and amendments (exceptions being Automotive, Marine and Medical devices for example).

‘EU exit’ UK Statutory Instruments and amendments require UKCA marking for products that can be self-declared or currently need a notified body assessment. In some cases there is divergence between CE marking and UKCA legislation requirements which is anticipated to increase over time and TÜV SÜD can help discuss these with you. Note – Additional requirements may need to be considered for products being placed on the UK Northern Ireland market due to separate Northern Ireland Protocol requirements.

When is UKCA marking required?

UKCA is being used to replace the CE Marking requirements for products being placed on the GB market since the 1st January 2021.

For most products there is a transitional arrangement for acceptance of CE marking until 31st December 2024 following the announcement of a further extension (the exception being for marine equipment where the UK Red Ensign mark already applies and different requirements for medical devices for example).

The UK Government Department for Business and Trade recently announced the intention to extend the use of CE marking for businesses indefinitely, across 18 regulations - there are different rules for Medical Devices, Marine Equipment, Construction products, Transportable Pressure Equipment and Rail products.

Advice and clarifications regarding the announcement:

• The UK government have only expressed “Intent” at this moment.
• Now they are consulting in round tables how to do to this (not the conventional sequence).
• At this moment, and until formally changed, the December 2024 deadline still technically applies.
• This is likely to be implemented, but the detail (extremely important in the Certification domain) is not defined or clarified at this point.
• When implemented the indication is that both UKCA and CE will be options as a route to the UK market.
• As there is common testing in many cases the safe advice to manufacturers/clients is to proceed with both UKCA and CE Schemes certification/review to secure clients and markets.
• Most probably there will not be draft Legislation or clarity until Mid/Late 2024!
• TÜV SÜD BABT will continue to participate / monitor as this progresses.

Updated government guidance

What are UK Statutory Instruments (UK SI's)?

Today, the vast majority of law in the UK is made through Statutory Instruments. Now that the United Kingdom has left the European Union, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 allow Statutory Instruments to be made which rescind and amend legislation which originally emanated from Europe. These Statutory Instruments can be referred to as the ‘EU Exit’ Statutory Instruments.

How can TÜV SÜD support you in meeting the UKCA Marking requirements?

As TÜV SÜD is a global company, we have offices in multiple locations to be able to satisfy both CE and UKCA requirements. TÜV SÜD have EU and UK based Notified Bodies and TÜV SÜD BABT has become a UK Conformity Assessment Body (UK Approved Body 0168).

TÜV SÜD UK is still UKAS ISO 17025 accredited and an ILAC member, this will remain acceptable for all test and certification requirements with for example Mutual Recognition Agreements, as with the U.S. for FCC testing and TCB work.

TÜV SÜD BABT can offer immediate UKAS accredited UKCA certification work for the following:

• Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (as amended)
• The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 (as amended)
• Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (as amended)
• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (as amended)
• Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulation 2016 (as amended)
• Regulation 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment as brought into UK law and amended (as amended)
• Lifts Regulations 2016 (as amended)
• Gas Appliance Regulation 2018, as amended
• Construction Products Regulation, various, as amended
• Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001, as amended
• Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, as amended
• Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016, as amended
• Medical Devices Regulations 2002, as amended

UK MCAB listing

UKAS accreditation

With our network of EU Notified Bodies and TÜV SÜD BABT we can offer a truly one stop CE and UKCA testing and certification service.

Updated 25 August 2023