The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new UK product marking that will be used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). It covers most goods which previously required the CE marking.
1. UKCA mark Enforcement date: 1 January 2021
In some cases, manufacturers will need to apply the new UKCA marking to goods being sold in Great Britain immediately from 1 January 2021. The UK government encourages the manufacturers to be ready to use the UKCA marking as soon as possible before this date.
2. The transition period from CE marking to UKCA marking: before January 1, 2022
To allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, manufacturers will still be able to use the CE marking until 1 January 2022 in most cases.
3. The conditions for using the new UKCA mark immediately after January 1, 2021 are as follows:
The 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 (a UK based approved body, recognized third party organizations or user inspectorate–referred to collectively as the UK approved bodies)
4. The new UKCA mark exemption situation:
This does not apply to existing stock, for example, if the good was fully manufactured and ready to place on the market before 1 January 2021. In these cases, the 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.
5. UKCA marking requirements:
In most cases, manufacturers 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.
- If they 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 (from 1 January 2023 it must be permanently attached)