CE marking has changed – the new UKCA mark and how it applies to you
New guidance explains how to use the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking which replaces the CE mark in Great Britain.
The UKCA marking is a new UK product marking that will be used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most goods which previously required the CE marking. The UKCA marking can be used from 1 January 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, you will still be able to use the CE marking until January 2022 in most cases.
Do I need to use the new UKCA marking?
The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new UK product marking that will be used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most goods which previously required the CE marking.
The UKCA marking alone cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Ireland market, which require the CE marking or UK(NI) marking. See the guidance on placing goods on the Northern Ireland market.
Check whether you will need to use the new UKCA marking
Selling goods in Great Britain
The UKCA marking will apply to most goods currently subject to the CE marking. It will also apply to aerosol products.
From 1 January 2021 the technical requirements (‘essential requirements’) you must meet – and the conformity assessment processes and standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity – will be largely the same as they are now.
The UKCA marking can be used from 1 January 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, you will still be able to use the CE marking until 1 January 2022 in most cases.
In some cases you will need to apply the new UKCA marking to goods being sold in Great Britain immediately from 1 January 2021. You are encouraged to be ready to use the UKCA marking as soon as possible before this date.
The CE marking will only be valid in Great Britain for areas where GB and EU rules remain the same. If the EU changes its rules and you CE mark your product on the basis of those new rules you will not be able to use the CE marking to sell in Great Britain even before 31 December 2021.
Check here on the guidance on whether you will need to use the UKCA marking by reading the guidance on placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain, noting that there is separate guidance for medical devices will apply if you produce PPE.
Using the UKCA marking
You will need to use the new UKCA marking immediately after 1 January 2021 if all of the following apply. Your product:
is covered by legislation which requires the UKCA marking
requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment
conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK conformity assessment body and you haven’t transferred your conformity assessment files from your UK body to an EU recognised body before 1 January 2021
This does not apply to existing stock, for example if your goods was fully manufactured and ready to place on the market before 1 January 2021.
