The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most goods which previously required the CE marking, known as ‘new approach’ goods.
The UKCA marking came into effect on January 1, 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, they can use the CE marking until January 1, 2023 in most cases.
The UKCA marking alone cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Ireland market.
LEEA now suggests companies should check whether they need to use the new UKCA marking.
Selling goods in Great Britain
The UKCA marking applies to most goods previously subject to the CE marking. It also applies to aerosol products that previously required the ‘reverse epsilon’ marking.
The technical requirements (‘essential requirements’) you must meet – and the conformity assessment processes and standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity – are largely the same as they were for the CE marking.
The circumstances in which you can use self-declaration of conformity for UKCA marking are the same as for CE marking. If you were able to self-declare conformity for the CE marking, you will be able to do the same for the UKCA marking.
Check the list of areas where self-declaration is permitted.
You must use the UKCA marking from January 1, 2023. You can still use the CE marking until then.
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 January 1, 2023.
Check whether you will need to use the UKCA marking by reading the guidance on placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain.
There is separate guidance for medical devices, rail interoperability, construction products and civil explosives.
Selling goods in the EU
The UKCA marking is not recognised on the EU market. Products need a CE marking for sale in the EU. Find out how to use the CE marking.
You only need to use the new UKCA marking before 1 January 2023 if all of the following apply. Your product:
- is for the market in Great Britain
- is covered by legislation which requires the UKCA marking
- requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment
- conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK conformity assessment body
This does not apply to existing stock, for example if your good was fully manufactured, CE marked and ready to place on the market before January 1, 2021. In these cases, your good can still be sold in Great Britain with a CE marking even if covered by a certificate of conformity issued by a UK body before January 1, 2021. These goods will need to be placed on the market before January 1, 2023.
For goods placed on the market from January 1, 2023, the government will introduce legislation so that the UKCA marking can be placed on a label affixed to the product or on a document accompanying the product until December 31, 2025. This will apply for most goods requiring UKCA marking. There will be different rules for:
- medical devices
- construction products
- cableways
- unmanned aircraft systems
- marine equipment
- transportable pressure equipment
- rail products
When affixing the UKCA marking, you take full responsibility for your product’s conformity with the requirements of the relevant legislation.
You must only use the UKCA marking to demonstrate conformity with the relevant UK legislation.
You must not place any marking or sign that may misconstrue the meaning or form of the UKCA marking to third parties.
You must not attach other markings on the product which affect the visibility, legibility or meaning of the UKCA marking.
For more information The UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy will continue to run webinars over the next few months on how to use the UKCA marking and placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain.
