Update: Extending the Recognition of CE Marking for the GB Market

On Monday, the 14th of November, the UK Government announced a further extension to the period during which the CE mark will continue to be accepted in Great Britain.

In simple terms, the changes allow goods to be placed onto the GB market using the CE mark until the end of 2024, an extension of a further two years. There are some other changes that have been announced, and these are detailed below.

The headlines are as follows:

1. The CE mark will continue to be recognised for goods placed onto the GB market until the end of 2024 (11 pm on the 31st of December 2024).

2. Manufacturers can choose to use either a UKCA mark or a CE mark for goods placed on the GB market until the end of 2024.

The UKCA mark is still a valid and accepted way to demonstrate product conformity to UK Legislation and the relevant Regulations and can continue to be placed onto goods.

3. After the 31st of December 2024, the UKCA mark will be mandatory, and the CE mark will cease to be recognised.

The UKCA mark can be on an accompanying document or on the goods as a label until the 31st of December, 2027. After the 31st of December 2027, the UKCA mark must be permanently attached to the goods.

4. For goods placed on the GB market, importer details can be included on an accompanying document until the 31st of December, 2027. After the 31st of December 2027, Importer details must be permanently attached to the goods.

It is important to note that this only extension applies to goods from EEA countries (and, in some cases, Switzerland). For goods placed onto the GB market from outside of the EEA (and Switzerland), the importer’s details should continue to be placed onto the goods.

5. After the 31st of December 2027, the UKCA mark must be permanently attached to the goods.

6. The changes do not change the requirement for products to meet the essential requirements of the relevant EU Legislation if CE marking is used or UK Regulations where a UKCA mark is used.

7. A relevant Declaration of Conformity containing the correct and appropriate information must still be available.

8. Manufacturers must still maintain a Technical File that contains the information required to evidence compliance with the information shown in the Declaration of Conformity.

9. The roles of Economic Operators, such as manufacturers, importers or authorised representatives, are unchanged.

10. For goods that require third-party conformity assessment:

a. If CE conformity assessment has been undertaken by the 31st of December 2024, this can be used as a basis for UKCA marking. The UKCA mark can be placed onto the goods and the goods placed onto the GB market until the validity of the certificate expires or for three years (up to the 31st of December 2027)

b. For conformity assessment that is undertaken on or after the 1st of January 2025, a UK Approved Body must be used to obtain a UKCA mark

11. Special rules continue to apply to medical devices.

12. Under the terms of the Protocol, Northern Ireland will continue to recognise the CE marking for goods placed on the market in Northern Ireland. They will need to use the UKNI marking if they use a UK Conformity Assessment Body to test their products.

13. The changes only apply to goods placed on the GB market. The UK is a third-country from the point of placing products onto the EU market, and the requirements for technical and administrative compliance and the roles of economic operators remain unchanged.

For more information, call your local Eurofins E&E location or visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking