Contents
1. Check whether you need to use the new UKCA marking
2. When to use the UKCA marking
3. How to use the UKCA marking
1.Check whether you need to use the new UKCA marking
Selling goods in Great Britain
The UKCA marking applies to most goods previously subject to the CE marking. It also applies to aerosol products that previously required the ‘reverse epsilon’ marking.
The technical requirements (‘essential requirements’) you must meet – and the conformity assessment processes and standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity – are largely the same as they were for the CE marking.
The circumstances in which you can use self-declaration of conformity for UKCA marking are the same as for CE marking. If you were able to self-declare conformity for the CE marking, you will be able to do the same for the UKCA marking.
You must use the UKCA marking from 1 January 2023. You can still use the CE marking until then.
The CE marking is only valid in Great Britain for areas where GB and EU rules remain the same. If the EU changes its rules and you CE mark your product on the basis of those new rules you will not be able to use the CE marking to sell in Great Britain, even before 31 December 2022.
Check whether you will need to use the UKCA marking by reading the guidance on placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain.
2.When to use the UKCA marking
You only need to use the new UKCA marking before 1 January 2023 if all of the following apply. Your product:
• is for the market in Great Britain
• is covered by legislation which requires the UKCA marking
• requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment
• conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK conformity assessment body
This does not apply to existing stock, for example if your good was fully manufactured, CE marked and ready to place on the market before 1 January 2021. In these cases, your good can still be sold in Great Britain with a CE marking even if covered by a certificate of conformity issued by a UK body before 1 January 2021. These goods will need to be placed on the market before 31 December 2022.
The government will introduce legislation so that the UKCA marking can be placed on a label affixed to the product or on a document accompanying the product until 31 December 2023. This will apply for most goods requiring UKCA marking. There will be different rules for:
• medical devices
• construction products
• marine equipment
• transportable pressure equipment
• rail products
3. How to use the UKCA marking
Placing the UKCA marking
In most cases, you must apply the UKCA marking to the product itself or to the packaging. In some cases, it may be placed on the manuals or on other supporting literature. This will vary depending on the specific regulations that apply to the product.
General rules
The UKCA marking must be clearly visible and legible when you affix it to the product. If this is not possible, you must attach it to the packaging (if any) or accompanying documents.
UKCA markings must only be placed on a product by you as the manufacturer or your authorised representative (where permitted in the relevant legislation).
When affixing the UKCA marking, you take full responsibility for your product’s conformity with the requirements of the relevant legislation.
You must only use the UKCA marking to demonstrate conformity with the relevant UK legislation.
You must not place any marking or sign that may misconstrue the meaning or form of the UKCA marking to third parties.
You must not attach other markings on the product which affect the visibility, legibility or meaning of the UKCA marking.
The UKCA marking cannot be placed on products unless there is a specific requirement to do so in the legislation.
A product may have additional markings and marks, as long as they:
• fulfil a different function from that of the UKCA marking
• are not likely to cause confusion with the UKCA marking
• do not reduce the legibility and visibility of the UKCA marking
Rules for using the UKCA image
You must make sure that:
• if you reduce or enlarge the size of your marking, the letters forming the UKCA marking must be in proportion to the version set out below
• the UKCA marking is at least 5mm in height – unless a different minimum dimension is specified in the relevant legislation
• the UKCA marking is easily visible, legible
The UKCA marking can take different forms (for example, the colour does not have to be solid), as long as it remains visible, legible and maintains the required proportions.