Understanding the UKCA marking implications in Great Britain

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What is UKCA?

The UK Conformity Assessment UKCA marking is the new UK product marking used for goods placed in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). At the same time, Northern Ireland remains in a single market. It covers most goods that previously required the CE marking, known as ‘new approach’ goods. Moreover, it applies to sprays.

The UKCA marking came into force on January 1st, 2021, for products requiring conformity assessment by a UK Notified Body. In most cases, including self-certifying products, the CE marking is allowed until January 1st, 2023, except for medical equipment, which will use the CE marking until June 30th of the same year. Self-certifying products with CE marking will keep them self-certified with the UKCA marking.

Products in stock can be sold in GB with the CE marking if they are ready to enter the market before entering the UKCA marking into force. In these cases, the product may be sold in the UK with a CE marking, even if it is governed by a certificate of conformity issued by a UK body, with a deadline of December 31st, 2022.

Certain goods from the UK to be brought into the European Union market must have the CE marking to be sold. If they require the services of a Notified Body for third-party conformity assessment, and if a UK Notified Body has performed this service, their CE marking will no longer be valid.

The UKNI marking is the new conformity marking for products placed on the market in Northern Ireland that has undergone conformity assessment by a UK-based body. The CE marking must always accompany this marking.

Aviation materials and drone certification

In the UK, there are several specifications developed about the UKCA marking and the certification that are unsolved, this is the case of the conformity assessment in the accreditation of aviation materials and drones, and with all CE certification no longer valid, firms will have to return to the EU certification providers to re-certify their products.