Are you clued up on UKCA marking?

Guide to UKCA marking

Interested in learning more about the UK’s new product marking system?

Introduced following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) mark is the new marking system required for products that are due to go to market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).

Brought in to replace the EU-approved CE marking scheme, the UKCA acts as proof that a product conforms to all UK legislative requirements. Although the deadline to switch onto the new UKCA Certification scheme has been extended to 1^st January 2023, the UK Government is encouraging businesses to begin using the UKCA marking system as soon as possible.

To support with the formal transition to the UKCA Certification Scheme, here are the key points you need to know:

The UKCA marking scheme:

• The UKCA mark applies to most goods due to be sold in England, Scotland and Wales.
• Products due to be sold in Northern Ireland will not be covered by the UKCA mark and will instead need to be assessed using the UKNI marking scheme.
• The mark demonstrates that appropriate conformity assessment procedures have been undertaken and that the product conforms to all UK legislative requirements.
• The UKCA mark will not be recognised in the EU market and so products due to be sold in the EU will still require the CE marking.
• From the 1^st January 2023, only goods with the UKCA marking will be accepted for the UK market.
• Existing stock that uses the CE mark needs to be put out to the UK market by 31^st December 2022 in order to still be covered by the CE certificate of conformity.
• Technical requirements that must be met for the UKCA Certification Scheme are largely the same as those used for the CE marking scheme.

The impact on ATEX:

• The transition to the UKCA marking system will create minimal change for users of explosive atmosphere equipment (ATEX).
• References to Harmonised Standards are to be replaced by UK Designated Standards.
• References to EU Notified Body are to be replaced by UK Designated Standards.
• The Ex-symbol and Ex equipment making will remain largely unchanged.

To find out more about the changes to the product marking system and its impact to users of Ex rated equipment, please visit our main page on the UKCA marking system here and check out the informative video.