UKCA Won't Be Implemented

EU CE Mark Continues in Great Britain

The UKCA mark will no longer be mandatory for products shipped to Great Britain. This is a big change from the original post-Brexit plan of phasing out the EU’s (CE) mark in favor of the UK’s (UKCA) mark by 2024. The UK government will indefinitely extend the use of the EU’s CE mark for products placed on the market in Great Britain. The announcement was made on August 1, 2023.

Recognizing CE and UKCA Marks

Since 1993, the European Union used the CE mark to show that products sold in the member states conform to all EU health, safety, and environmental regulations and standards. Post-Brexit, the UK created the UKCA to gain more control over products shipped to the UK.

There have been three delays in the implementation of the UKCA mark. Most recently, the implementation deadline was set to December 31, 2024.

At this time, both the CE and the UKCA mark will exist simultaneously. For companies who have implemented the UKCA mark, they can continue to use the new marking. For those using the CE mark, they can continue to use the mark for products shipped to Great Britain. There is no further requirement to affix a UKCA-mark to products shipped into the UK.

We await further clarity from the UK government as to whether additional requirements will be set for the use of either mark.

Products Affected

The Department for Business and Trade has extended the CE mark to the following product categories:

1.  Toys

2.  Pyrotechnics

3.  Recreational craft and personal watercraft

4.  Simple pressure vessels

5.  Electromagnetic compatibility

6.  Non-automatic weighing instruments

7.  Measuring instruments

8.  Measuring container bottles

9.  Lifts

10. Equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres

11.  Radio equipment

12. Pressure equipment

13. Personal protective equipment

14. Gas appliances

15. Machinery

16. Equipment for use outdoors

17.  Aerosols

18. Low voltage electrical equipment

According to the UK government, there are different rules for medical devices, construction products, cable ways, transportable pressure equipment, unmanned aircraft systems, rail products, marine equipment, and eco-design. The relevant departments covering these sectors either have communicated, or will communicate, plans in due course.

Next Steps

This decision is a major turn-around for the UK’s post-Brexit abilities to remove itself from EU laws and standards. Industry leaders from across the world warned the UK that creating a new labeling standard would disrupt the flow of goods to the UK and potentially harm imports and supply chains. Manufacturers will now halt plans for UKCA product markings and revert to their original plans for CE marking. Creating a uniform label to be used across all of Europe simplifies challenges during customs crossings, as well as with quality and testing standards. Unfortunately, many companies have already spent the money to meet the new UKCA labeling requirement and losses cannot be recovered.

We build UKCA and CE marking programs. Contact us

Links

UK Government – Using the UKCA Mark and Updates

Guardian Article – UK to Retain EU Safety Mark in Latest Brexit Climb down

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