UKCA ‘Ex’ Certification Scheme (UKEX approval)

What You Need to Know

UKCA marking (UK Conformity Assessed marking) is the UK product marking requirement that will be needed for all Ex 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 ‘Ex’ (UKEX) approval came into force on January 1, 2021 with a transitional period lasting up until December 31, 2024.

The UK Approved Body designation process opened January 1, 2021, under the UK Legislation ‘The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016’ UKSI 1107:2016 which was amended to ‘The Product Safety and Metrology’ UKSI 696:2019 and was then further adapted into Schedule 25 of the UKSI 696:2019.

UKSI 696:2019 - Schedule 25

TÜV SÜD UK has already engaged with UKAS and the UK government, and is in the process of gaining approval and accreditation to become a UKEX product approved body.

Government Guidance Main Points

• UKCA mark will not be recognized in EU, EEA or Northern Ireland
• For Northern Ireland, either the CE mark or dual UK(NI) CE mark will be required
• UK Responsible Person will be required if the manufacturer is located outside the UK
• UK Approved Bodies have been designated since January 1, 2021
• Following approval from TÜV SÜD, a manufacturer will be able to affix the UKEX mark (in Great Britain). For UK(NI) mark (in Northern Ireland), will be offered via our notified body in Denmark which is located within Europe.

UKEX Scheme Will Replace ATEX for the GB Market

Only UKCA Issued ‘EX’ Certificates will be accepted from the December 2024 in the UK for products that previously required ATEX Notified Body Certification.

ATEX products will only be accepted into the GB market which have been approved as UKEX conforming from December 31, 2024, and only UK approved bodies will be able to issue the appropriate certificates needed for entry to the GB market using the designated UK List of approved Standard (BS).

To allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, CE marked ‘existing stock’ can still be accepted up until December 31, 2024. For example, a product which would be covered by a UK certificate of conformity, and would require UKCA approval after January 1, 2021, can still be sold into the GB marketplace with CE marking if it is from pre-existing stock which was fully manufactured before 31st December 2020.

CE marking can be used up until December 31, 2024 if any of the following apply:

• Currently applying the CE mark to goods based on self-declaration.
• If a mandatory third-party conformity assessment has been carried out by an EU-recognized notified body
• If the Declaration of Conformity was previously held by a UK approved body has now been transferred to an EU-recognized notified body.

Using both the CE and UKCA mark, products can continue for both CE and UKCA, if they are fully compliant with both UK and EU regulations.

Why Choose TÜV SÜD for UKCA Marking

For over 30 years, TÜV SÜD has provided market access solutions and regulatory expertise for manufacturers and suppliers of Explosion Protection products. Our services put your product through its paces and ensure the product meets the requirements of the hazardous area industry.

With our TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH Notified Body and TÜV SÜD Limited (UK) applying to become a UKCA Approved Body, our dedicated team of experts will be able to offer both CE marking and UKCA marking services following the transition.

Learn more about our individual testing labs in the U.S. and Canada.