UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking is a conformity mark that indicates conformity with the applicable requirements for products sold within Great Britain. Products with the CE mark are also acceptable in the UK market.
The UKCA marking became part of UK law at the end of the Brexit transition period, on 31 December 2020, with the coming into force of The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.It was planned to be a mandatory requirement since then, but the CE mark was accepted as an alternative, initially for the transition period until 1 January 2022. This deadline for including the UKCA mark was extended to 31 December 2022, then to 1 January 2023, then to 31 December 2024, and then on 1 August 2023 the government effectively withdrew the requirement for UKCA, and stated that the CE mark remains acceptable for most goods as a valid sign of conformance.
The scope and procedures of the UKCA scheme initially follow those for CE marking. The Government said that after 31 December 2020 the two schemes may diverge. Initial guidance regarding UKCA marking was originally published by the Government of the United Kingdom in 2019 ahead of a potential no-deal Brexit but was subsequently withdrawn.
Selling products in GB
The UKCA marking is the conformity marking used for products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). The UKCA regime has been operational since 1 January 2021 and from this date, where a product is covered by the UKCA marking and meets the relevant requirements, you are able to place the UKCA marking on your product and then place the product on the GB market.
The UKCA marking applies to most products for which the CE marking can also be used. It also applies to aerosol dispensers and measuring container bottles for which the reversed epsilon marking can also be used. The technical requirements (sometimes referred to as ‘essential requirements’) you must meet for the UKCA marking will depend on the product specific legislation for your product.By following designated standards, which the UK introduced to replace EU harmonised standards, there is a statutory ‘presumption of conformity’ that the product meets the essential requirements that apply to that product covered by the standard.
This presumption is rebuttable and, in most cases, using designated standards is voluntary, it is just one way of showing the product meets the essential requirements. In cases where an alternative technical solution is followed, you will have to provide more details in your technical documentation explaining how your products comply with the essential requirements.
Overview
UK conformity assessment (UKCA) marking is used on products placed on the market in Great Britain (GB). It shows that products comply with requirements in legislation applying in GB.
The government intends to introduce legislation to extend recognition of goods that meet EU requirements (including the CE marking), indefinitely, beyond 31 December 2024 for many products. This will mean that certain goods that meet EU requirements can be placed on the GB market. These updates apply to the 18 regulations that fall under DBT.
These are:
You will still need to take action to ensure you comply with importer responsibilities if you’re placing a product on the GB market from outside the UK.
Where to place the UKCA marking
Legislation is now in force which enables the UKCA marking to be placed on a label affixed to the product or on a document accompanying the product until 11pm on 31 December 2027. This means that as of 1 January 2028, in most cases, you must affix the UKCA marking to the product itself or to the packaging.
In some cases, for example, where the product is too small, the UKCA marking can be affixed to the data plate, packaging, a label affixed to the product or accompanying documentation.
The UKCA marking must be clearly visible, legible and indelible when you affix it to the product (or permitted alternatives). There are also rules about the size and dimensions of the UKCA marking.
UKCA markings must only be placed on a product by you as the manufacturer, your authorised representative (where permitted in the relevant legislation), or if you are marketing the products under your name or trademark (for example, where you will take the responsibilities of the manufacturer, including affixing the UKCA marking).
When affixing the UKCA marking, you take full responsibility for conformity with the requirements of the relevant UK legislation.
You must not place any marking, sign or inscription which is likely to mislead any other person as to the meaning or form of the UKCA marking or affix any marking which would impair the visibility, legibility and meaning of the UKCA marking.
When is UKCA marking Required?
UKCA is being used to replace the CE Marking requirements for products being placed on the GB market since the 1st January 2021.
For most products there is a transitional arrangement for acceptance of CE marking until 31st December 2024 following the announcement of a further extension (the exception being for marine equipment where the UK Red Ensign mark already applies and different requirements for medical devices for example).
Source: www.gov.uk
updated on: 2024/02/13