What is the UKCA marking
The UKCA marking is the new marking to which certain products are subject in order to be sold in the British market (England, Wales, Scotland).
It does not apply to products aimed to Northern Ireland, for which there is another marking, the UKNI.
UKCA marking: entry into force
The UKCA marking came into effect on an voluntary basis on January 1, 2021 and will be mandatory from January 1, 2025 in most cases. Medical devices and construction products will need to be marked as of July 1, 2025.
In the meantime, exporters can continue to access the UK market with the CE marking.
UKCA marking: areas of application
The UKCA marking applies all products subject to the New Approach European Directives and, therefore, to the CE marking.
Additionally, it applies to aerosols that were previously marked with the inverted epsilon.
These are the areas of application of the UKCA marking:
- Toys
- Pyrotechnics
- Recreational craft and personal watercraft
- Simple pressure vessels
- Electromagnetic compatibility
- Non-automatic weighing instruments
- Measuring instruments
- Lifts
- Equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (UKEX)
- Radio equipment
- Pressure equipment
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Gas appliances
- Industrial machinery
- Equipment for use outdoors
- Ecodesign
- Aerosols
- Low voltage electrical equipment
- Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
The UKCA marking also applies, with special regulations, to the following areas:
- Medical devices
- Rail interoperability
- Construction products
- Civil explosives
You may be interested in checking the Correspondence between CE and UK regulations, with the possibility of accessing the regulations and official guides.
UKCA marking: responsibles
There are four relevant economic operators placing a product on the British market. Each of them has specific responsibilities.
❶ Manufacturer markets the product on the UK market under its brand name. It may or may not be the actual manufacturer. Responsibilities:
- to comply with UK standards applicable to her product;
- to draw up technical documentation and a UKCA Declaration of Conformity;
- to indicate her contact information on the product or on the packaging.
❷ Importer puts goods from abroad into the British market. Responsibilities:
- to verify that the conformity assessment, the technical documentation, the UKCA Declaration of Conformity and the UKCA marking have been carried out in accordance with current British regulations;
- to indicate her contact information on the product, on the packaging or in the accompanying documentation (the technical manual or a leaflet);
- to storage during 10 years the Technical File supporting the UKCA Declaration of Conformity.
❸ Distributor also participates in the placing on the market of a product. A distributor may be responsible for the packaging before delivery to the final consumer. Distributor’s responsibilities are only partly related to the UKCA marking:
- to verify compliance with the legal requirements to which the product is subject;
- to act, in certain cases, as a link between the Manufacturer and end customers, making direct sales possible.
❹ Authorized Representative, designated by the Manufacturer. AR can assume obligations of both the Manufacturer and the Importer:
- to draw up the UKCA Declaration of Conformity;
- to storage the technical documentation;
- to indicate her own contact details on the product or on the packaging;
- to cooperate with market surveillance agencies.
Hiring an Authorized Representative is not required, but doing so provides certain advantages.
When is UKCA self-declaration possible?
Under certain conditions, the manufacturer may issue a UKCA Declaration of Conformity without assessment by a Notified Body.
Self-declaration is always possible for these products/regulations:
- Electromagnetic compatibility
- Electrical Equipment
- Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
It will be also possible for the majority of the products covered by these regulations:
- Toys
- Industrial machinery
- Radio equipment
Some products that fall within the scope of the following regulations can also be self-declared:
- Construction products
- Recreational craft and personal watercraft
- Pressure equipment
- Equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (UKEX)
- PPE
The possibility of accessing a Self-declaration does not exempt from compliance with two important legal obligations: the elaboration of a Technical File and the documentation storage during 10 years.
For more info check UKCA self-declaration: subjected products and legal obligations
Certifying body search
When a third party evaluation of conformity is required by law imposes, it is necessary to go to a CAB (Conformity Assessment Body), usually named as UKAB. You can search on the official database (UKMCAB) or ask us for this so reduce time significantly.
How to use the UKCA marking
The UKCA marking is the responsibility of the Manufacturer or Authorized Representative, who thereby assume specific legal obligations.
The UKCA logo must have a minimum size of 5 mm and its placement must be done as clearly as possible, without generating confusion in the consumer. As of January 1, 2028, it must be applied permanently, that is, not through an sticky label.
Read more about the UKCA Marking 5 Fundamental Rules
What is the UKNI marking
The UKNI logo is required in addition to the CE when certain products are placed on the Northern Ireland market. This country, while still belonging to the United Kingdom, continues to form part of the single European market for goods.
For practical purposes, an exporting company should only use this marking if third-party conformity assessment is required and as long as the certification body is located in the United Kingdom.
Check more info about the UKNI Marking.