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Our CE/UKCA Marking Service Include

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Selection of Directives

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Determination of Regulations

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Inspections

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Assessments

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Testing

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EU Examinations

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Compliance

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Regulatory Consulting

The CE/UKCA Marking and Routes to Compliance

Step1

Legislation
Identify which legislation applies to your product.

Step2

CE Mark Requirements
Show that your product satisfies the legal requirements.

Step3

Conformity
Sign a legal Declaration of Conformity.

Step4

Application
Apply the CE marking.

The CE or UKCA certification process includes identifying which Directive(s) and Regulations pertain to your product, completing a conformity assessment, setting up a Technical File, and signing a Declaration of Conformity. After completing these steps, you can legally put the CE or UKCA Marking on your item.

First, identify which European or UK Product Laws are relevant to your product. Over 20 CE/UKCA Directives and Regulations cover a spectrum of products—from electrical equipment to machines to toys to PPE. An item may fall under more than one law.

Next is the conformity assessment, which you may carry out in-house or by an authorized certification organization known as a Notified Body. The certification proves your product satisfies European laws, and the assessment documents become part of your Technical File. You need to be able to produce your Technical File for EU/UK Authorities upon request.

Then, you must sign a Declaration of Conformity affirming that your item meets all applicable EU/UK laws.

Once you’ve completed all the steps above, your product can legally display the CE or UKCA Marking.

Why Choose Technology International

At Technology International, we can guide you through every step of CE/UKCA Marking for defense and military equipment. We’re familiar with the CE and UKCA certification processes, whether a system is mechanical, electrical, or a combination of both.

Our manufacturing industry experience gives us the expertise to:

  • Understanding of the laws & regulations
  • Experienced staff to lead the CE/UKCA process
  • On-site assessments and testing
  • ATEX assessments and testing
  • Full CE/UKCA documentation and support
  • Global regulatory compliance support

Navigating the CE or UKCA Marking process on your own can be intimidating, mainly when the penalties for non-compliance include product recalls, fines, and jail sentences.

Unless you are familiar with the EU/UK legislation, it can be challenging to determine which laws apply to your product. You need to be aware of all revisions, changes, and amendments, and there is very little accompanying reference material or specific guidance.

Let Us Help!

Defense & Military Equipment

There is a general misconception that defense and military equipment does not have to be CE/UKCA marked, and the CE/UKCA conformity assessment procedures are not followed. While there are some specific exclusions, such equipment generally requires CE Marking or UKCA Marking.

The directives do not uniformly treat exclusions. The Machinery, RoHS, and Radio Equipment Directives have specific wording to provide exclusions for military and security applications.

UKCA/CE Marking for military equipment is mandatory for nearly all defense & military products, including:

  • Radio equipment
  • Flight simulators
  • Certain dual-use equipment
  • Protective equipment
  • Training equipment
  • Ground equipment
  • Maintenance equipment
  • And many others

CE/UKCA Marking Process Exclusions

Manufacturers can apply these exclusions as part of the CE and UKCA marking process. No further permission is needed for these exclusions, but they may be challenged by national authorities, so manufacturers should have a written justification for such a case.

Not all directives contain such exclusions. The Low Voltage and EMC Directives will apply for electrical equipment, and equipment will need to be CE or UKCA marked even if it is used for a military application.

Another route is based on Article 346 of the Treaty Forming the European Union[1]. If the equipment type is listed in the original 1958 list, it may be excluded. There is a process to be followed if this route is appropriate.

The Radio Equipment Directive[2] applies to any ‘electrical or electronic product which intentionally emits and/or receives radio waves for the purpose of radio communication and/or radiodetermination.’

Article 1.3 states, ‘This Directive shall not apply to radio equipment exclusively used for activities concerning public security, defense, State security..’.

If the radio equipment is dual-use, i.e., civilian and military, it should be subject to the RED. If it is exclusively military equipment, then it is excluded.

No military exemptions are permitted with the Low Voltage Directive[3], so if the voltage rating is within limits, then CE marking is required.

The same applies to the EMC Directive[4], as there are no exemptions for military use.

The RoHS Directive[5] does have an exception for military equipment. Article 2.4 states: ‘This Directive does not apply to: (a) equipment which is necessary for the protection of the essential interests of the security of Member States, including arms, munitions, and war material intended for specifically military purposes.’

The Machinery Directive[6] in Article 1 (2) (g) Machinery specially designed and constructed for military or police purposes does have an exclusion.

The exclusion applies to machinery specially designed and constructed for defense or maintaining order. Ordinary machinery used by the armed forces or the police but not specially designed for defense purposes or maintaining order is subject to the Machinery Directive.

In some countries, certain fire services belong to the military. However, machinery which is designed for use by such firefighters is not thereby considered to be designed and constructed for military purposes and is thus subject to the Machinery Directive

Other Industries We Serve

  • Packaging
  • Rail
  • Warehouse Automation
  • Recycling
  • Aerospace
  • Semiconductor
  • Food Processing
  • Production
  • Defense
  • Energy
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Electronics
  • Automotive
  • Robotics
  • Agricultural
  • General Manufacturing

What is CE Marking?

The Conformité Européenne, or CE Marking, is a symbol that shows an item complies with the European laws governing health, safety, and environmental protection.

Unlike other certification marks that are applied to an item once it passes tests administered by a particular organization, no group grants permission to use a CE Marking. As a manufacturer, it is your responsibility to understand and comply with European law and use the CE Marking if necessary.

It is illegal to affix a CE Marking improperly or to use it on an item that does not require a CE marking.

Learn more about CE Marking

What is UKCA Marking?

After Brexit, the UK adopted UKCA Marking and eliminated the requirement for CE Marking. As of January 1st, 2021, the new UK regulations came into effect and manufacturers must now affix a UKCA Mark instead of a CE mark to demonstrate product conformity with the relevant UK Product Safety Regulations. The UKCA Regulations are identical to the EU Directive requirements that they replaced.

Learn more about UKCA Marking

Is CE/UKCA Marking Mandatory?

CE/UKCA marking will apply for defense and military equipment, and it depends upon which directives your products need to comply with. RoHS and RED requirements are straightforward, but your equipment will likely have to comply with EMC and LVD if applicable. You are also obligated to carry out the full CE/UKCA assessment procedure for accompanying documentation including the Technical File, Declaration of Conformity, and Marking.

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