Post-Brexit: how to place products on the UK market?

Following the Brexit, from 1st January 2021 the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking – the new UK product marking required for goods placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), came into force.

Before 1st January 2021, it was possible to place products on the British market using the CE mark. But with the Britain’s exit from the European Union, things have changed. The new UKCA marking is the conformity assessment mark for Great Britain and applies to most goods that previously required CE marking.

Product areas covered by the UKCA mark include Lifts, Electromagnetic Compatibility, Radio Equipment, ATEX, Machinery, Pressure Equipment, Low Voltage Electrical Equipment, and others. Medical devices and other special products are also covered by the UKCA mark, but with some special rules (read more about how to market medical devices in the UK at this link).

THE TIMINGS

Entered into force last 1st January 2021, companies will have until 1st January 2022 to comply with the new requirements. Until that date, goods that are legally CE marked will continue to be accepted in the UK.

However, in some cases it is required to apply the new UKCA mark to goods sold in the UK from 1st January 2021. It is necessary to use the new UKCA mark before 2022 only if the product meets all of the following conditions:

• is intended for sale in Great Britain
• is covered by legislation requiring the UKCA mark
• requires a mandatory third-party conformity assessment by a
• the conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK conformity assessment body.

Companies must therefore check whether they need to change their conformity assessment or the mark applied to products intended for the UK market.

In conclusion, from 1st January 2021 (or 1st January 2022) to place products falling within the above areas on the UK market, it is necessary to check the technical requirements to be met under the UKCA mark, as well as the applicable conformity assessment procedures and standards.

Products released in the European Union countries will continue to require CE marking, as the UKCA mark is not recognized in the EU market. The same applies for placing on the market in Northern Ireland, which requires CE marking or UKNI marking.

Ente Certificazione Macchine is currently preparing to get the necessary accreditations to carry out the conformity assessment procedures required for the issue of the UKCA mark. We are available to provide information and answer questions. It is possible to contact our Sales Manager Paolo Bernardoni at paolo@entecerma.it | (+39) 345 9938661

For a more detailed overview of the UKCA marking, see the official UK government guidance at this link