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What is the UKCA Mark?

The United Kingdom Conformity Assessment Mark, or UKCA Mark for short, is a replacement for the CE Marking.

With the UK having left the EU, the CE Marking will cease to be a valid indicator of conformity with UK Product Safety Regulations, such as the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations or the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations. To indicate that a product conforms to relevant UK Product Safety Regulations, the manufacturer will be required to affix a UKCA Mark instead.

Which UK Product Safety Regulations Require the UKCA Mark?

Technology International can provide UKCA support for the following Regulations:

How Do The New UK Regulations Differ From The EU Directives They Replace?

The technical requirements of the new UK Regulations that came into effect January 1st, 2021 were identical to the requirements of the EU Directives they have replaced. For example, the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the UK Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations are identical to the Essential Health & Safety Requirements of the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

The rules regarding confirming or demonstrating conformity with the UK Regulations are very similar to those for the EU Directives. For example, the UK Regulations still requires manufacturers and other responsible parties to prepare Technical Files or other Technical Documentation to provide evidence of conformity. UK Declarations of Conformity that reference the applicable UK Regulations and UK Standards need to be issued to support the UKCA Marks affixed to the Products themselves.

Will Notified Body Assessments Still be Required?

The new system of UK Regulations does not make use of Notified Bodies. As a result of the UK’s departure from the EU, all existing UK based Notified Bodies lost their appointments on January 1st, 2021. However, those organisations had the option to automatically become ‘UK Approved Bodies’ (UKABs) on the same date. Each new UKAB’s appointment scope covers the UK Regulations that have replaced the EU Directives for which they were Notified Bodies. So a UK Notified Body for the EU Machinery & EMC Directives will have become a UKAB for the UK Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations and the UK EMC Regulations.

Under the new UK Regulations, UKABs fulfil precisely the same functions, as UK Notified Bodies did for EU Directives. Therefore, if an EU Directive made the involvement of a Notified Body a mandatory requirement for a specific product type, the equivalent UK Regulation will also make the involvement of a UK Approved Body mandatory on the same basis.

What Do I Need To Do To Comply With The New UK Regulations?

The precise actions that Manufacturers and other responsible parties will need to take to comply will depend on the specific UK Regulations that are applicable to a product or system. However, there are some common steps that will need to be followed, including:

Amending existing EU compliance documentation such as Technical Files and Declarations of Conformity to reference current UK Regulations and Standards.
Affixing UKCA Marks to products.
When required, obtaining third-party approval from a UK Approved Body.

Do I Need to Have a UKCA Mark on my Products Now?

Yes, however, to allow Manufacturers and other responsible parties time to transition to the new UK Regulations (UKCA), the UK Government granted that CE Marks on products would be accepted in the UK until December 31st 2022. The UK Government encourages all manufacturers to transition to use of the UKCA Mark as soon as possible.

Are My CE marked Products Still Valid After January 2023?

No, due to the fact that from January 1st 2023, CE Marks will no longer be valid in the UK.

UKCA Support From Technology International

If you have questions or concerns regarding the new UKCA requirements, or need assistance meeting them, please contact Technology International.

We can provide everything from advice and guidance on specific UKCA requirements that will impact your business, to product evaluation services and third-party approvals.

From January 1st, 2021, our sister company Technology International Europe became a United Kingdom Approved Body for The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations and The Radio Equipment Regulations. With them, we can provide UKCA services for your Machinery, EMC and Radio Equipment needs, and we can also provide you support with any UK EX and electrical needs; respectively the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use In Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations and The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations.

Latest Developments: June 20, 2022

The recent UK Government change, regarding UKCA Marking and EU Type Examination Certificates, has given a potential ‘life-line’ to manufacturers and Importers.

For products that have undergone an EU Type Examination by a Notified Body and have a certificate issued before December 31st, 2022, it is no longer necessary to have a separate UK Certificate to support a valid UKCA Mark. The UK Government have decided that an EU Certificate issued by a Notified Body will be sufficient by itself to support a declaration of conformity with most UK Regulations and the UKCA Mark. The EU Type Examination Certifiicate by itself will remain sufficient until its validity date expires or until December 31st, 2027, whichever is sooner.

You can find more information on this here.

The section titled ‘Reducing re-certification/re-testing costs for UKCA marking’ contains the relevant information.

With these changes you may decide that it is no longer necessary to complete the adoption process. However, please do note that the amended rule allowing the use of EUTECs to support UKCA Marks will only apply to products certified by a NB before December 31st, 2022. Products certified by a Notified Body after that date will need to have a separate UK Type Examination Certificate issued by a UK Approved Body.

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