UKCA: Understand what you need to know now
The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) mark is the new UK product marking that will be required for certain products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most products that previously required the CE mark.
It will not be recognized in the EU market. Products that require CE marking will still need a CE marking to be sold in the EU.
However, there are also complex rules that apply to Northern Ireland which we urge everyone in the industry to read and apply to avoid costly issues. The UKCA marking alone cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Ireland market, which require the CE marking or UKNI marking.
If you have not yet read up on the changes which came into effect on 1st January 2020, it is important our industry is prepared as the grace period only lasts for a few months.
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 need to apply the new UKCA marking to goods being sold in Great Britain immediately from 1 January 2021.
The CE marking is only 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.
If you would like to find out more, visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking
If you are a BPMA member, you can access an exclusive BSI session recording and notes on this topic; please contact the BPMA to access this important information.
