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WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY

THE NEW UKCA MARKING

G U IDE LINE
GUIDE TO UKCA MARKING

Introduction
The United Kingdom has replaced CE marking for safety
and performance of products with a UKCA (UK Conformity
Assessed) scheme. The UKCA marking became effective
1 January 2021, but companies have been given a transition
period until the end of 2022. If you are a manufacturer of
products being sold on the UK market, you need to obtain
the new UKCA mark. This guideline explores the 6 steps to
UKCA marking and aims to help you navigate the applicable
legislation and conformity assessment process.

6 steps to UKCA marking

1 Understand if you need the new UKCA marking.

2 Identify relevant UK legislative instruments.

3 Identify the relevant UK standard(s) for your products.

4 Identify impact on technical documentation and record keeping.

5 Undergo a conformity assessment procedure (if necessary) with a UKCA Body.

6 Apply the UKCA mark to products and place on market.

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GUIDE TO UKCA MARKING

Step 1
Understand if you need
the new UKCA marking.

UKCA marking applies to most categories of goods previously It is important to remember that CE marked products placed
subject to CE marking. It came into effect 1 January 2021, but on the UK market prior to 1 January 2023 may continue to be
in most cases your CE marking can be used until 31 December used and put into service; they do not need to be replaced.
2022. For a few categories such as medical devices, the In some cases, it is also possible to complete delivery of
allowed transition period can be longer. products later than this date if fully manufactured, CE marked
and covered by a supply contract within 2022.
Note: Special rules apply for Northern Ireland.

In most cases,
your CE marking
can be used until
31 December
2022

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GUIDE TO UKCA MARKING

Step 2
Identify relevant UK
legislative instruments.
You can find the current list of the UK legislative instruments
replacing the EU Directives on the gov.uk website, visiting the
UKCA marking page.

The relevant legislative instruments must be followed and


referred to in your technical documentation, replacing the
current EU legislation.

Comparative overview of EU and UK legislation.

EU legislation (CE marking) UK legislation (UKCA marking)

Toy Safety - Directive 2009/48/EC Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011

Recreational craft and personal watercraft - Directive 2013/53/EU Recreational Craft Regulations 2017

Simple Pressure Vessels - Directive 2014/29/EU Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016

Electromagnetic Compatibility - Directive 2014/30/EU Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016

Low Voltage Directive 2014/35 Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016

Non-automatic Weighing Instruments - Directive 2014/31/EU Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016

Measuring Instruments - Directive 2014/32/EU Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016

Lifts - Directive 2014/33/EU Lifts Regulations 2016

Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for use in Potentially


ATEX - Directive 2014/34/EU
Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016

Radio equipment - Directive 2014/53/EU Radio Equipment Regulations 2017

Pressure equipment - Directive 2014/68/EU Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016

Regulation 2016/425 on personal protective equipment as


Personal protective equipment - Regulation (EU) 2016/425
brought into UK law and amended

Regulation 2016/426 on gas appliances as brought into UK law


Gas appliances - Regulation (EU) 2016/426
and amended

Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008

Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use


Outdoor Noise Directive 2000/14/EC
Outdoors Regulations 2001

Directive 92/42/EEC hot-water boilers AND Ecodesign Directive The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy
2009/125/EC Information (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

Restriction of the Use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in
and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) - Directive 2002/95/EC Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012

Medical Devices (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit)


Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on Medical Devices
Regulations 2020

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GUIDE TO UKCA MARKING

Step 3
Identify the relevant UK standard(s)
for your products.

Review the UK Government list of UK Designated Standards


replacing the EU Harmonized Standards. For now, the
technical requirements remain largely the same as the
current editions of the EU Harmonized Standards. However,
it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to verify compliance.

The UK Designated Standards must be listed in your technical


documentation instead of the EU Harmonized Standards.
If you are certified to older editions of EU Harmonized
Standards, you may need to complete a gap assessment
against the UK Designated Standard to ensure compliance.

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GUIDE TO UKCA MARKING

Step 4
Identify impact on technical
documentation and record keeping.

Documentation requirements remain similar. However, you In this document, the manufacturer or their Authorized
must refer to the UK specific requirements. Representative must detail the specific information required
by the relevant legislation for the category of goods. This
Technical documentation file storage usually includes:
As for CE marked products, the manufacturer or their
Authorized Representative (if the manufacturer is not legally • Name and full business address or that of your UK
incorporated in the UK) must retain records. The precise authorised representative (if not a UK incorporated
content of the records is defined within the relevant manufacturer)
legislation for the category of products. It will generally require:
• Product’s serial number, model or type identification

• Details of how the product has been designed • Statement, declaring you take full responsibility for the
and manufactured product’s compliance

• Evidence of how it conforms to the UK • Details of the approved body which carried out the
Designated Standards conformity assessment procedure (if applicable)

• Details of the manufacturer’s locations and storage • Relevant legislation and where relevant standards with
which the product complies
UK Declaration of Conformity
• Name and signature
As for CE marked products, the manufacturer must draw up
a UK Declaration of Conformity for all products legally baring • Date the declaration was issued
the UKCA mark. This document should be separate from the
• Supplementary information (if applicable)
EU Declaration of Conformity.

In addition, remember to reference the relevant UK


Legislation (not the EU legislation) and you must list UK
Designated Standards (not EU Harmonized Standards).

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GUIDE TO UKCA MARKING

Step 5
Undergo a conformity assessment
procedure (if necessary) with a UKCA Body.

The relevant UK legislative instrument identifies several


different conformity assessment routes, depending on:

• Type of product

• Risk level

• Category of product

The current conformity assessment routes are broadly the


same as under the CE marking system with both self-
declaration or mandatory third-party certification routes,
following a risk based approach.

The key difference is that instead of a Notified Body you


must use a UK Conformity Assessment Body in cases where
your products require third-party certification. Products
previously covered by self-declaration continue to be so;
however, you must update your technical documentation
and marking according to the UK legislative instruments
and UK designated standards.

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GUIDE TO UKCA MARKING

Step 6
Apply the UKCA mark to
products and place on market.

Following completion of the conformity assessment Until January 2023, for most goods, you have the option to
procedure and issue of a UKCA Body certificate, where affix the UKCA marking on a label affixed to the product or an
relevant, you may affix the UKCA mark to your product and accompanying document such as a user manual. You must
place on the UK market. make reasonable efforts to ensure it remains in place.

In most cases, you must affix the UKCA mark directly to the From 1 January 2023, the UKCA mark must be affixed directly
product itself. In some cases, it may be placed on manuals to the product in most cases.
or other literature, which varies according to the relevant
legislation and transition period allowances. Special rules apply for construction products, medical devices
and interoperability of the rail system and transportable
You can double mark your products. A label may carry both the pressure equipment.
CE and UKCA markings, as long as each mark is distinct and
sufficiently clear. DNV is an UKCA approved body for pressure equipment
regulations and in the advanced application stages for
hazardous area and construction products.

From 1 January
2023, the UKCA
mark must be
affixed directly to
the product in
most cases

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ABOUT DNV
DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider, operating
in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep
expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry
standards, and inspires and invents solutions. 

DNV is one of the world’s leading certification, assurance and risk


management providers. Whether certifying a company’s management
system or products, providing training, or assessing supply chains, and
digital assets, we enable customers and stakeholders to make critical
decisions with confidence. We are committed to support our customers to
transition and realize their long-term strategic goals sustainably, collectively
contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

To learn more, visit the UK


government guidance pages Contact us:

Using the UKCA marking product.assurance@dnv.com

Placing manufactured goods on the market dnv.com/assurance/product_assurance

If you are a DNV customers and need to obtain the


UKCA marking, we recommend that you:

1. Prepare according to the steps above to ensure you


are ready to apply for the conformity assessment.

2. 
Pre-register with us indicating your upcoming
UKCA certification need.

© DNV 2021. All rights reserved.

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