New UKCA marking to start in January 2021

The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new UK product marking that will be used in Great Britain. It covers most goods that previously required the CE marking and will apply to goods that currently use CE marking.

The government says that, from 1 January 2021, the technical requirements (‘essential requirements’) that manufacturers must meet – and the conformity assessment processes and standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity – will be largely the same as they are now.

The UKCA marking can be used from 1 January 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, they will still be able to use CE marking until 1 January 2022 in most cases.

UKCA marking will not be recognised on the EU market. Products that currently require a CE marking will still need a CE marking for sale in the EU from 1 January 2021.

The requirement to use UKCA marking does not apply to existing stock – for example, if the goods are fully manufactured and ready to place on the market before 1 January 2021. In these cases, they can still be sold in Great Britain with a CE marking, even if covered by a certificate of conformity issued by a UK body.

From 1 January 2022, the CE marking will not be recognised in Great Britain for the areas covered by the government’s guidance – including gas appliances. However, a product bearing the CE marking will still be valid for sale in the UK as long as it was also UKCA marked and complied with the relevant UK rules.

The new rules do not apply to Northern Ireland.