Latest guidance on UKCA and CE marking

The Office for Product Safety and Standards have recently updated guidance on the post-Brexit transition from CE to UKCA and UKNI marking.

What is CE, UKCA and UKNI marking?

CE marking is required for many products to show that they meet EU safety, health or environmental protection requirements, comply with EU legislation, and can be freely moved within the European market.

UKCA marking is used for products being placed on the market or into service for the first time in England, Scotland and Wales, to demonstrate they conform with UK regulations. UKCA marking applies to most goods previously subject to the CE marking, and has been valid since the end of the Brexit transition period, on 1 January 2021.

UKNI marking also came into force on 1 January 2021, and is used for products placed on the market in Northern Ireland to demonstrate they have undergone mandatory third-party conformity assessment by a body based in the UK. Northern Ireland legislation will align with all relevant EU rules relating to manufactured goods.

How long is CE marking valid for?

CE marking is valid and will continue to satisfy legislation until 31 December 2022.

UKCA (or UKNI) marking will be compulsory in the UK from 1 January 2023, and it is recommended to manufacturers that they implement UKCA / UKNI marking as soon as possible.

What are the Health and Safety implications?

Machinery or products for further manufacture or components, imported or otherwise placed onto the market in the United Kingdom need to demonstrate they meet essential Health and Safety requirements. This includes the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (as amended in 2011 and 2019).

Employers purchasing work equipment must check:

• for obvious danger (i.e. missing or damaged guards),
• for appropriate CE, UKCA or UKNI conformity marking and labelling,
• and that the instructions and Declaration of Conformity are in English.

Having appropriate conformity marking is a sign that a new product is claimed to be safe and meets legislation by the manufacturer.

Recommendations for employers:

1. If you are purchasing machinery, make sure that it conforms with the appropriate marking(s).
2. It is the responsibility of the person selling/trading the machine to ensure it is appropriately marked, but you should check to make sure that any machinery you purchase/use has this.
3. Ensure the machinery is safe to use by conducting a risk assessment.

For further support, we can undertake Work Equipment Assessments and PUWER Risk Assessments in your business, to identify any machines that don’t comply with Health and Safety legislation and provide you with clear remedial actions. Contact us today.

For more information on CE, UKCA and UKNI marking:
Using the UKCA marking – gov.uk 

Using the UKNI marking – gov.uk

Placing manufactured products on the market in Great Britain – gov.uk

Information for purchasers of work equipment – hse.gov.uk

Information for users of work equipment – hse.gov.uk