The CE mark is the equivalent of the UKCA mark in the European Economic Area (EEA). It was used in the UK until we left the EU. For most products, the CE mark can continue to be used instead of, or as well as, the UKCA mark.The UKCA marking is not recognised on the EU market. Many products need a CE marking to show that they are in conformity with EU rules before they can be supplied on the EU market.From 1 January 2021, the UKCA mark will start to replace the CE mark for goods sold within Great Britain. The CE mark will continue to be required for goods sold in Northern Ireland. Units already in the supply chain at the time the new rules come into effect can continue to be sold under the old rules.
What products require a UKCA mark : It covers all goods which previously required the CE marking and aerosol containers (which previously required the reverse epsilon marking). It does not apply to existing stock, such as goods which were fully manufactured, CE marked and placed on the market before 1 January 2021.
Do I need UKCA and CE
With a CE mark, your product can be sold in the EU and in some other countries, including Turkey. To sell in the UK market, a UKCA mark needs to be affixed to all relevant products. In Northern Ireland, CE marking will continue to be valid, alongside the UK(NI) mark.
Why do we need UKCA : UKCA marking is a similar provision as the CE marking, however applicable for UK laws and the UK market. It must be considered as an implicit declaration from the manufacturer or brand-owner that his product complies with all UK laws and the applicable British conformity assessment procedures.
CE marking indicates that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and deemed to meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements. It is required for products manufactured anywhere in the world that are then marketed in the EU.
'Indefinite extension'
The government's decision to recognise CE marking indefinitely means businesses no longer need to switch fully over to the UKCA marking for 18 categories of products.
What is the purpose of the UKCA mark
UKCA stands for “UK Conformity Assessed”. It is the British version of the European Union's CE marking. CE, as well as the UKCA mark, are not quality indicators or certification marks. UKCA marking is a similar provision as the CE marking, however applicable for UK laws and the UK market.The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) mark is the new UK product marking that will be required for certain products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most products that previously required the CE mark. It is not recognized in the EU market.Almost all products that require a CE mark or a UKCA mark don't require a third-party assessment. However, the self-certification procedure and requirements are different for each individual product, so it can be difficult to gather all relevant information and design the risk assessment right.
Not all products must bear the CE marking. Only those product categories subject to specific directives that provide for the CE marking are required to be CE marked. CE marking does not mean that a product was made in the EEA , but states that the product is assessed before being placed on the market.
What if a product is not CE marked : If a product, which falls under the CE marking obligation, is not affixed with the CE marking or is unlawfully affixed with the CE marking, the government of the specific member state can enforce measures. Products can be withdrawn from the market and penalties can be imposed.
Which countries need CE mark : CE Mark is mandatory for the following 27 Member States of the EU:
| Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| France | Germany | Greece |
| Hungary | Iceland | Ireland |
| Italy | Latvia | Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malta |
Which countries accept the UKCA mark
The UKCA marking only applies to products placed on the market in Great Britain.
Many consumer goods marketed in the EU, such as toys and electrical appliances, must have CE marking. CE marking indicates that the product meets certain statutory requirements connected with things like safety, health and the environment. It can be recognised by the letters 'CE'.If so, you need to ensure it complies with UKCA requirements. This involves identifying the specific regulations that apply to your product, assessing it against these regulations, compiling a detailed technical file and creating a Declaration of Conformity to prove compliance.
How much does UKCA testing cost : For anything we haven't tested, you could use a lab(costs around £45-60 per sample, but up to £120 for chromium testing if needed).