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 1 January 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, you will still be able to use the CE marking until 1 January 2023 in most cases, an extension of a year on the previously announced implementation date.
Paul Slevin, President of Chambers Wales, said:
“We welcome the extension to the transition from CE to UKCA safety markings for goods, products and components which are being imported from or exported to the European Union.
“Businesses, particularly in the manufacturing industry, in Wales who trade internationally have been greatly impacted by disruption caused by the pandemic and leaving the EU, in addition to volatility in the supply chain. Avoiding the duplication of markings and costs within the next year will be a particular relief for small and medium sized businesses in Wales, as well as those with complex supply chains.
“The extension until 1st January 2023 will give firms the opportunity to adapt to the new system, ensuring valuable time for products to be tested and assessed, and leading to greater compliance. We will be continuing to work with businesses to help them familiarise themselves with the new standards, and limit delays to the supply chain and consumers following the transition.”
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“The British Chambers of Commerce has led business calls for an extension of at least a year on the easement for CE markings on imported industrial goods, spare parts, and components.
“Businesses will welcome this reprieve until 1 January 2023, which will protect supply chains and make a huge difference to consumers on the availability of items such as phones and laptops.
“There is currently a lack of testing capacity to enable the retesting of decades worth of CE marked items for the new UKCA specification, so this measure will be hugely important in allowing time for that capacity to be built and for retesting to take place.
“A wider problem does still exist however – complex supply chains such as those in the automotive industry still face having to duplicate markings on certain components and incurring large costs for testing as a result. This could compromise the output of these industries, limit availability of goods for consumers and create mounting cost pressures on British businesses.
“The Government needs to work now with businesses to ensure full consideration to the impacts are given before any decision to completely pull the plug on CE-marked goods, risking incurring costs to our economy that we may come to regret.”
Guidance and resources:
Using the UKCA marking | Using the UKCA marking explainer | UKCA step-by-step guide | UKNI step-by-step guide
