S.I. 2017/1206
In forceThe Radio Equipment Regulations 2017
The GB law for products that intentionally transmit or receive radio waves (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular and other wireless products). Radio equipment must meet three essential requirements — safety, electromagnetic compatibility and efficient use of the radio spectrum — before being placed on the GB market with UKCA or CE marking.
Applies to
Radio equipment placed on the Great Britain market. Exclusions include equipment covered by other specific UK legislation, airborne products under EC Regulation 216/2008, marine equipment under the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016, and custom-built evaluation kits for R&D professionals. Radio equipment in scope is generally excluded from the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
Key obligations
- 01Design and manufacture radio equipment to ensure a high level of safety (health and safety of persons and domestic animals, and the protection of property).source
- 02Ensure an adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility.source
- 03Ensure the equipment operates in a manner that promotes efficient use of the radio spectrum.source
- 04Carry out a conformity assessment procedure, draw up a declaration of conformity (retained for 10 years from market placement and provided to enforcement authorities on request), and affix the UKCA or CE marking.source
- 05Mark equipment with the manufacturer's name, registered trade mark and address, and a type, batch or serial number; provide instructions and safety information in easily understandable English.source
- 06Include information on the frequency bands the equipment operates in and its transmit power, plus any restrictions on putting into service (with a 'UK' pictogram where restrictions apply).source
Conformity routes
- Internal production control (Module A) — self-declarationSelf-assessment where the Regulations permit it (Schedule 2), typically when designated standards are applied to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements.source
- Type examination (Module B) plus conformity to type (Module C)Third-party route (Schedule 3): a UK approved body examines the type for UKCA marking (an EU notified body performs the equivalent assessment for CE marking) — used in particular where self-declaration is not available for the spectrum requirements.source
- Full quality assurance (Module H)Alternative third-party route (Schedule 4) based on an approved full quality assurance system.source
- CE recognition routeCE-marked radio equipment meeting the corresponding EU (Radio Equipment Directive) requirements can be placed on the GB market — recognition extended indefinitely as of 1 October 2024. From that date, EU-assessed products can also be UKCA-marked for GB (fast-track).source
Documentation
- Declaration of conformityMust identify the specific product and include manufacturer name/address (and authorised representative where applicable); retained for 10 years from market placement and made available to enforcement authorities on request. Format set out in Schedules 6 and 7 (a simplified form is provided for).source
- Technical documentationEvidence that the equipment meets the three essential requirements, including the conformity assessment records.source
- Instructions and usage informationInstructions and safety information in easily understandable English, including frequency bands, transmit power and any restrictions on putting into service.source
Marking requirements
- Affix the UKCA marking to the equipment, its data plate, packaging or accompanying documents; until 31 December 2027 a label or accompanying document may be used instead of direct affixing.source
- CE marking is accepted indefinitely for GB market placement (as of 1 October 2024); CE remains mandatory for the EEA and Northern Ireland. Dual UKCA+CE marking is possible where the relevant assessments have been completed.source
- Where there are restrictions on putting into service or authorisation requirements, the equipment information must include a pictogram with 'UK' (or 'UK(NI)').source
Testing standards
Harmonised and designated standards lists change over time: confirm the currently cited version before testing.
Key dates
- 2017-12-26The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 came into force (made 4 December 2017, laid before Parliament 5 December 2017).source
- 2024-10-01S.I. 2024/696 came into force: extended (indefinite) CE recognition for GB and the fast-track UKCA scheme, under which products assessed under EU procedures can be UKCA-marked for GB placement.source
- 2027-12-31End of the transitional provisions for importer labelling and for placing the UKCA marking on labels or accompanying documents.source
Penalties
Enforced by OFCOM (radio spectrum management) and local weights and measures authorities / trading standards (safety and other aspects). Offences can lead to fines or imprisonment of up to three months, or both; courts determine the actual penalty.source
Further guidance
Applies to these product types
- Audio / video equipmentUK
- Baby and nursery productUK
- Batteries and power banksUK
- Cameras and opticsUK
- Candles and home fragranceUK
- Chargers and power suppliesUK
- Children's product (non-toy)UK
- Computer peripheralUK
- Consumer electronics (mains-powered)UK
- Drone / UASUK
- E-mobility (e-bikes, e-scooters)UK
- Food-contact productsUK
- FurnitureUK
- Garden and outdoor equipmentUK
- General consumer productUK
- Household applianceUK
- Jewellery and accessoriesUK
- LightingUK
- Machinery and industrial equipmentUK
- Pet productsUK
- Power toolUK
- PPE and safety gearUK
- Smart home productUK
- Sports and fitness equipmentUK
- Textiles and apparelUK
- ToyUK
- Wearable deviceUK
- Wireless / IoT deviceUK
Frequently asked
My product has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth — which UK regulations apply?+
The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 apply to anything that intentionally transmits or receives radio waves, and they carry their own safety and EMC essential requirements. Radio equipment in scope is generally excluded from the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, so the RER is usually your primary regime (RoHS and other laws can still apply in parallel).
Can I self-declare, or do I need a UK approved body?+
Self-declaration (internal production control) is available where the Regulations permit it — in practice when you apply the relevant designated standards in full. Otherwise you use a third-party route: type examination by a UK approved body (Modules B+C) or full quality assurance (Module H). For CE marking the equivalent assessment is done by an EU notified body.
Is CE marking still valid for radio equipment sold in Great Britain?+
Yes — since 1 October 2024 CE recognition has been extended indefinitely, so CE-marked equipment meeting EU requirements can be placed on the GB market. Note that a CE-marked product cannot simply have UKCA added later unless the required UK (or, under fast-track, EU) assessment has been completed.
What extra information must ship with radio equipment?+
Beyond normal traceability details (manufacturer name and address, type/batch/serial number), you must include English-language instructions and safety information, the frequency bands the equipment uses, its transmit power, and any restrictions on putting into service — with a 'UK' pictogram where restrictions apply.
Who enforces these rules?+
OFCOM handles radio spectrum aspects; local trading standards handle safety and other aspects. Penalties for offences include fines or up to three months' imprisonment, or both.
Check how this applies to your product
Run the full checker to see which regulations apply to your exact product, market and features.