When should the UKCA mark be used?
If all of the following apply, you must use the new UKCA mark before January 1, 2022. If your production:
is intended for the UK market,
is subject to legislation requiring the UKCA mark,
requires third-party conformity assessment
Products that received a CE Certificate before January 1, 2021, are covered by the UKCA conformity certificate.
Placement of the UKCA mark
In most cases, you must apply the UKCA mark to the product itself or its packaging. In some cases, it may be placed on manuals or other supporting documentation.
Technical documentation for the UKCA certificate
You or your authorized representative (where permitted by the relevant legislation) must keep the documents proving that your product complies with the legal requirements. These must be kept for up to 10 years after the product has been placed on the market.
Product areas covered by the UKCA mark
- Toy safety
- Recreational vehicles and personal watercraft
- Simple pressure vessels
- Electromagnetic compatibility
- Non-automatic weighing instruments
- Measuring instruments
- Elevators
- ATEX
- Radio equipment
- Pressure equipment
- Personal protective equipment
- Gas appliances
- Machinery
- Equipment for use in outdoor environments
- Environmental design
- Aerosols
- Low-voltage electrical equipment
- Restrictions on hazardous substances
Products covered by the UKCA mark but subject to certain specific rules:
- Medical devices
- Railway interoperability
- Construction products
- Civil explosives
Transition measures related to the UKCA mark
For many product types (those listed above), the following transition measures apply.
Until January 1, 2023, for most products (except those subject to specific rules), you have the option to affix the UKCA mark to a label attached to the product or to an accompanying document. The manufacturer, importer, or distributor is responsible for the use of the UKCA mark. Products requiring the UKCA mark cannot be sold without it. (Except for cases where the CE mark was used before January 1, 2022).
As of January 1, 2023, the UKCA mark must be affixed directly to the product in most cases. You should begin incorporating this into your design process now to ensure readiness by this date.
For services related to UKCA certification, UKCA marking, UKCA manufacturer’s declaration, and self-declaration, you can contact TESTPLUS technical experts.
Frequently asked questions about UKCA
- Do products sold to the United Kingdom and the European Union need to carry both the CE mark and the UKCA mark at the same time?
Yes, if you are selling your products to both the European Union and the UK at the same time, you must affix both the CE Mark and the UKCA Mark.
- Will a single audit be sufficient for both CE certification and UKCA certification?
A single audit will be sufficient for both UKCA and CE certification. The harmonized standards are identical.
- Will the UKCA mark be mandatory for products bearing the CE mark that were sold before January 1, 2022?
No, the UKCA mark will not be applicable for products bearing the CE mark that were sold before December 31, 2020.
- Some product tests are conducted in laboratories outside the UK. Are such test reports acceptable for UKCA marking?
If they are conducted in a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, they are acceptable.
