UKCA marking
The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is to be used as a replacement for the CE marking on goods placed on the market in Great Britain. The UKCA marking makes it clear that a product brought to market in Great Britain fulfils the conformity requirements of this market. The conformity assessment process and the underlying technical rules (EN standards) that must be applied to demonstrate conformity are mostly the same as those used for the CE marking.
The new UKCA marking has been in force in Great Britain since 01 January 2021. During a four-year transition period to 31 December 2024, the CE marking will continue to be recognised in Great Britain for certain products (Note: This is an innovation from 14/11/2022, so companies have two more years and are allowed to use the UKCA label in Great Britain). After the transition period, starting from 01 January 2025, for particular product groups, only those that bear the UKCA marking will be accepted. Products can carry both the CE and UKCA markings if they fulfil both the EU and UK regulations in full.
We will reduce re-testing costs for UKCA certification, by allowing conformity assessment activities for CE marking completed by the 31 December 2024 to be used by manufacturers as the basis for applying a UKCA marking. This will reduce the immediate costs faced by manufacturers and will be valid until the expiry of their certificate or for 5 years (31 December 2027), whichever is sooner. This will reduce duplication and costs for businesses and by extension, consumers.
We will make clear there is no need to re-test existing imported stock, as these products will be considered already placed on the market in Great Britain (GB). This will prevent the costly, and unnecessary re-labelling of existing stock for businesses. i.e. completed CE-marked pressure equipment components, imported under contract into the UK by 31.12.2024, do not need to be re-tested/re-certified or UKCA marked. However, the products should still be checked to ensure they meet the requirements of EU law before they are further supplied and a record should be kept of documentation which demonstrates the product was imported into GB under contract before the 31 December 2024.
We will make clear that spare parts that repair, replace or maintain goods already on the GB market can meet the same requirements that were in place at the time the original product or system was placed on the GB market. This will allow products and goods requiring spare parts to continue to be maintained. i.e. Pressure Equipment manufacturers can continue from 1 January 2025 to purchase ‘CE’ marked spare parts for ‘CE’ marked equipment placed on the GB market before 11pm on 31 December 2024. However, if the product or system has been subjected to important changes, overhauling its original performance, purpose, or type, it would be considered ‘new’ and must comply with GB regulatory requirements, including being UKCA marked from 11pm on 31 December 2024.
We will continue to allow businesses to affix the UKCA marking, and to include importer information for products from EEA countries (and in some cases Switzerland), on an accompanying document or label until 31 December 2025. This will allow business to adjust their product design to accommodate marking changes at a convenient and cost-effective time. i.e. pressure equipment or assemblies do not need to have the UKCA mark physically affixed when being placed on the GB market until after 11p.m. on 31.12.2025. Until then the UKCA marking can be in an accompanying document or label. Similarly, importer information does not need to be affixed on pressure equipment or assemblies imported from the EEA until after 11 p.m. on 31.12.2025, and can instead be on the packaging or in an accompanying document until that date. From 1.1.26 this information needs to be on the good unless the specific product regulation permits otherwise (e.g., due to the size or nature of the good).
These changes do not apply to medical devices, construction products, transportable pressure equipment, cableways, unmanned aircraft systems, rail products and marine equipment. Departments responsible for these sectors are making sector specific arrangements.
Please note that UKCA as used refers to all UK product safety legislation not just the sectors that require the UKCA mark.
TÜV NORD supports manufacturers or their authorized representatives in the recognition process and conformity assessment for the UKCA marking. Either directly or through partner agreements, TÜV NORD supports the implementation of UKCA marking from the very beginning. With our partners at our side, we offer tailor-made market access solutions for a wide range of product areas.
Manufacturers and distributors are responsible for ensuring that their products comply with the relevant regulations in the UK and that the conformity assessment documentation has been prepared. With over 150 years of market experience, we are on hand to provide advice and support to ensure a smooth conformity assessment strategy.
As an international company with branches worldwide, TÜV NORD is well positioned to provide support for CE and, more recently, UKCA conformity assessments. TÜV NORD is officially recognized in the UK as a conformity assessment body (UK Approved Body) for pressure equipment, construction products and machinery safety. The scope of this recognition is to be continuously expanded in line with the needs of manufacturers and distributors.
Based on a cooperation with a UK Approved Body, TÜV NORD can also offer a simple solution for having products recognized in the field of explosion protection (ATEX).
With our international network for conformity assessment, we will be able to offer manufacturers a “one-stop shop” solution to support and assist them in the long term.
(Status: 10.10.2022)
TÜV NORD offers expertise in product certification as well as inspection and testing services for various product areas. These include services in the areas of explosion protection, pressure equipment, electromagnetic compatibility, machine safety, outdoor noise and other products.
In the UK, EU legislation will continue to apply until December 31, 2024, after which only UK legislation will apply to certain product groups. Below is a selection of products where TÜV NORD can support manufacturers with proposed solutions, either directly or indirectly. These changes do NOT apply to all products. Please refer to the sector specific guidance for further information in the UK.
Spielzeug-Richtlinie 2009/48/EG
Richtlinie über einfache Druckbehälter 2014/29/EU
Richtlinie über elektromagnetische Verträglichkeit 2014/30/EU
Niederspannungsrichtlinie 2014/35
Richtlinie über Aufzüge 2014/33/EU
ATEX Richtlinie 2014/34/EU
Funkanlagen Richtlinie 2014/53/EU
Richtlinie über Druckgeräte 2014/68/EU
Maschinenrichtlinie 2006/42/EC
Outdoor-Richtlinie 2000/14/EC
Verordnung (EU) Nr. 305/2011
(Bauprodukteverordnung)
Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011
Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016
Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
Lifts Regulations 2016
Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for
use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016
Radio Equipment Regulations 2017
Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment
for use Outdoors Regulations 2001
Construction Products (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 in Great Britain
Construction Products Regulations in Northern Ireland
The UKCA label is only valid in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
Northern Ireland has a special status as a member of the United Kingdom. The new regulations on UKCA marking do not apply in Northern Ireland and the UKCA mark alone is not accepted. Products there must comply with the harmonized European standards and bear either the CE marking or the CE marking and UK(NI) information.
The mark may only be affixed to the product by the manufacturer or their authorized representative, provided this is permitted by law.
The manufacturer or their authorized representative assumes responsibility for the product's conformity with the relevant legal requirements.
Declaration of product conformity with applicable British legislation.
The UKCA marking must not be misleading in its meaning or form.
The visibility, legibility, and meaning of the marking must be ensured.
The new UKCA marking only needs to be used before January 1, 2025, if all of the following apply. The product:
Is intended for the UK market
Is covered by legislation requiring the UKCA marking
Requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment
Conformity assessment by a UK Conformity Assessment Body
If a product needs to be converted or adapted to UKCA marking, TÜV NORD or its partners are sometimes available as a UKCA marking body to assist with this process. Simply email us at ukca@tuev-nord.de.
No, it is not possible to create both declarations of conformity in one document. Two separate documents must be created. These must be retained for up to 10 years after the product is placed on the market.
Yes, both symbols can be placed on a product as long as they meet both requirements.
In principle, the contents of the UK declaration of conformity largely correspond to the information in the EU declaration of conformity. These vary depending on the applicable law, but should include the following information:
Name and business address of the manufacturer or authorized representative
Serial number, model, or type identification of the product If applicable: Details of the UK Approved Body that carried out the conformity assessment procedure
Declaration of product responsibility
Identification of relevant legislation
Identification of UK standards
Name, signature, date (declaration made)