UK Government Announces Updates to UKCA Deadlines

Changes aim to simplify application of new product conformity markings for most products.

In September 2020 the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), published updated guidance on the applicability of the UKCA mark, as substitute for the CE mark that will be in place after the end of the transition period which started on 1 January 2021.

Manufacturers need to ensure they are using the UKCA marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain (GB) where applicable.  There are separate requirements for Northern Ireland (NI).  Find further information on using the UKCA marking here.

On 20 June 2022 the Government announced changes to help simplify the application process of the UKCA marking for most products placed on the market in GB.  These changes include:

• reducing the re-testing costs for UKCA certification, by allowing conformity assessment activities for CE marking completed by the 31 December 2022 to be used by manufacturers as the basis for applying a UKCA marking;
• clarifying there is no need to re-test existing imported stock already placed on the market In GB;
• continuing to allow businesses to affix the UKCA marking, and to include importer information for products from EEA countries (and in some cases Switzerland), on an accompanying document or label until 31 December 2025.

 

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.  These updates apply to aerosol products.

Read about the full updates here.  Full Government guidance can also be accessed here.  The Government is also hosting webinars for using the UKCA marking.  The Statutory Instrument outlining the extension to the deadline was published on 6 September 2022 and can be accessed here.