UKCA Mark Regulations

What is the UKCA Mark?

The UK Conformity Assessment Mark, or UKCA Mark for short, is a replacement for the CE Mark.

With the UK having left the EU, the CE Mark will cease to be a valid indicator of conformity with UK Product Safety Regulations, such as the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations or the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations.  To indicate that a product conforms to relevant UK Product Safety Regulations, the manufacturer will be required to affix a UKCA Mark instead.

Latest Developments: 1st August 2023 

The UK government intends to extend recognition of the CE marking for placing most goods on the market in Great Britain (GB), indefinitely, beyond December 2024. 

Read more about this recent update on the UK government website.

14th November 2022 Update: How to get UKCA compliant? 

For products that have undergone an EUTE (EU-Type Examination) by a NB and have an EUTEC issued before December 31st, 2024, it is no longer necessary to have a separate UKTE (UK-Type Examination) Certificate to support a valid UKCA Mark. The UK Government have decided that an EUTEC issued by a NB will be sufficient by itself to support a declaration of conformity with most UK Regulations and the UKCA Mark.  The EUTEC by itself will remain sufficient until its validity date expires or until December 31st, 2027, whichever is sooner.

With these changes you may decide that it is no longer necessary to complete the adoption process. However, please do note that the amended rule allowing the use of EUTECs to support UKCA Marks will only apply to products certified by a NB before December 31st, 2024.  Products certified by a NB after that date will need to have a separate UKTEC issued by a UK Approved Body.

You can find more information on this here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain.

Which UK Product Safety Regulations Require the UKCA Mark?

Technology International can provide UKCA support for the following Regulations: 

• The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations
• The Radio Equipment Regulations
• The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations
• The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations
• Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use In Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (ATEX Regulations) UKEX

How Do The New UK Regulations Differ From The EU Directives They Replace?

The technical requirements of the new UK Regulations that came into effect January 1st, 2021 were identical to the requirements of the EU Directives they have replaced.  For example, the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the UK Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations are identical to the Essential Health & Safety Requirements of the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

The rules regarding confirming or demonstrating conformity with the UK Regulations are very similar to those for the EU Directives.  For example, the UK Regulations still requires manufacturers and other responsible parties to prepare Technical Files or other Technical Documentation to provide evidence of conformity.  UK Declarations of Conformity that reference the applicable UK Regulations and UK Standards need to be issued to support the UKCA Marks affixed to the Products themselves.

What Do I Need To Do To Comply With The New UK Regulations?

The precise actions that Manufacturers and other responsible parties will need to take to comply will depend on the specific UK Regulations that are applicable to a product or system.  However, there are some common steps that will need to be followed, including:

• Amending existing EU compliance documentation such as Technical Files and Declarations of Conformity to reference current UK Regulations and Standards.
• Affixing UKCA Mark to products.
• When required, obtaining third-party approval from a UK Approved Body.

Do I Need to Have a UKCA Mark on my Products Now?

Yes, however, to allow Manufacturers and other responsible parties time to transition to the new UK Regulations (UKCA). Initially the UK Government granted an extension on CE marking of products up until December 31st 2022. In November 2022 the UK Government further extended the period of CE marking acceptance until the end of December 2024. This additional extension is given to allow all manufacturers to transition to use of the UKCA Mark as soon as possible.

Are My CE marked Products Still Valid After January 2025?

No, due to the fact that from January 1st 2025, CE Marks will no longer be valid in the UK.

Will Notified Body Assessments Still be Required?

The new system of UK Regulations does not make use of Notified Bodies.  As a result of the UK’s departure from the EU, all existing UK based Notified Bodies lost their appointments on January 1st, 2021.  However, those organisations had the option to automatically become ‘UK Approved Bodies’ (UKABs) on the same date.  Each new UKAB’s appointment scope covers the UK Regulations that have replaced the EU Directives for which they were Notified Bodies.   (i.e. a UK Notified Body for the EU Machinery & EMC Directives has become a UKAB for the UK Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations and the UK EMC Regulations).

Under the new UK Regulations, UKABs fulfil precisely the same functions, as UK Notified Bodies did for EU Directives.  Therefore, if an EU Directive made the involvement of a Notified Body a mandatory requirement for a specific product type, the equivalent UK Regulation will also make the involvement of a UK Approved Body mandatory on the same basis.

UKCA Support From Technology International Europe

If you have questions or concerns regarding the UKCA requirements, or need assistance meeting them, please contact Technology International Europe.

We can provide everything from advice and guidance on specific UKCA requirements that will impact your business, to product evaluation services and third-party approvals.

Technology International Europe is a United Kingdom Approved Body for The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations and The Radio Equipment Regulations.  We also provide support to companies who need to comply with the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use In Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations and The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations.