S.I. 2019/696 (The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019), as amended by S.I. 2024/696 (The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) Regulations 2024)
In forceUKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking framework for Great Britain
UKCA is Great Britain's product conformity marking, introduced after EU exit for goods that previously used CE marking. Since 1 October 2024, CE marking is also recognised in Great Britain with no end date for most goods covered by the framework, so businesses can generally use either marking.
Applies to
Manufactured products placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) in the 20+ regulated product areas that use the UKCA/CE regime, including electrical equipment, EMC, radio equipment, toys, machinery, PPE, pressure equipment and gas appliances. Northern Ireland follows EU rules (CE marking, or CE plus UKNI where a UK body assessed the product); sectors such as medical devices, construction products, marine, rail, cableways, transportable pressure equipment and unmanned aircraft systems have their own separate arrangements.
Key obligations
- 01Before placing a product in scope of the regime on the GB market, carry out the conformity assessment required by the relevant product regulation and affix the UKCA marking — or the CE marking, which businesses have the flexibility to use in place of UKCA under the continued recognition policy.source
- 02Draw up a UK declaration of conformity and maintain technical documentation (technical files and test reports) demonstrating compliance.source
- 03Apply the UKCA marking in its standard, recognisable form, at least 5mm in height (unless a different minimum dimension is specified in the relevant legislation), and ensure it is easily visible, legible and indelible.source
- 04Until 11pm on 31 December 2027, the UKCA marking may alternatively be placed on a label affixed to the product or on a document accompanying the product (certain sectors such as marine, medical devices, rail and construction products have their own specific rules).source
- 05GB importers must ensure the product complies before placing it on the market and provide their contact details on the product, its packaging or accompanying documents.source
- 06Using a designated standard published on GOV.UK gives a presumption of conformity with the corresponding essential requirements; the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) coordinates designation and lists are published per product area.source
Conformity routes
- UKCA routeFollow the conformity assessment procedure in the relevant GB product regulation (self-assessment for most low-risk products; UK approved body involvement where the regulation requires it), then affix UKCA and draw up a UK declaration of conformity.source
- CE recognition routeFor goods in the product regulations covered by the continued-recognition legislation (S.I. 2024/696, in force 1 October 2024), products meeting EU requirements with CE marking can be placed on the GB market — GOV.UK describes this recognition as indefinite.source
- Fast-track UKCAManufacturers whose products meet EU essential requirements (including conformity assessment by an EU-recognised body where required) may affix the UKCA marking and complete a UK declaration of conformity on that basis, instead of separate GB assessment.source
Documentation
- UK declaration of conformityMust be drawn up before placing goods on the GB market; under the recognition provisions it can list compliance with the relevant EU legislation.source
- Technical documentationTechnical files and test reports demonstrating conformity must be maintained; retention periods are set by each product regulation (typically 10 years).source
Marking requirements
- UKCA marking must appear in its standard, recognisable form, at least 5mm high unless a different minimum dimension is specified, and be easily visible, legible and indelible.source
- Until 11pm on 31 December 2027 the UKCA marking may be placed on a label affixed to the product or on an accompanying document instead of the product itself.source
- CE marking may be used alongside or in place of the UKCA marking for the Great Britain market under the continued recognition policy.source
- Qualifying Northern Ireland goods have unfettered access to Great Britain on the basis of CE marking, or CE plus UKNI marking, without additional approvals.source
Key dates
- 2021-01-01UK left the EU single market; GB and NI product marking regimes diverged and the UKCA marking regime took effect for Great Britain.source
- 2024-10-01The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/696) came into force, allowing economic operators to meet GB conformity assessment requirements by complying with corresponding EU requirements (continued CE recognition) and enabling the fast-track UKCA route.source
- 2027-12-31End (at 11pm) of the easement allowing the UKCA marking to be placed on a label or accompanying document rather than the product itself.source
Penalties
There is no single UKCA penalty regime: enforcement and penalties are set by each underlying product regulation. For example, offences under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 can lead to a fine or imprisonment (up to three months on summary conviction, up to two years on indictment).sourceUnverified — check source
Further guidance
Applies to these product types
- Audio / video equipmentUK
- Batteries and power banksUK
- Cameras and opticsUK
- Chargers and power suppliesUK
- Computer peripheralUK
- Consumer electronics (mains-powered)UK
- Drone / UASUK
- E-mobility (e-bikes, e-scooters)UK
- Garden and outdoor equipmentUK
- Household applianceUK
- LightingUK
- Machinery and industrial equipmentUK
- Power toolUK
- PPE and safety gearUK
- Smart home productUK
- ToyUK
- Wearable deviceUK
- Wireless / IoT deviceUK
Frequently asked
My product is CE marked — do I also need UKCA to sell in Great Britain?+
For most goods covered by the UKCA/CE regime (electrical, EMC, radio, toys, machinery and similar), no. Since 1 October 2024 the government recognises CE marking for the GB market with no end date, so you can use CE, UKCA, or both. Check your specific product area though — sectors like medical devices, construction products, marine, rail and unmanned aircraft have separate arrangements.
Is CE recognition in Great Britain really permanent?+
GOV.UK guidance describes the recognition as indefinite, and the implementing legislation (S.I. 2024/696) contains no end date for the products it covers. That said, it is government policy implemented in regulations — a future government could legislate to change it, so it is worth re-checking before major compliance decisions.
When is UKCA still required instead of CE?+
CE recognition applies to the product regulations covered by S.I. 2024/696 (the guidance lists 21, including ecodesign, civil explosives and RoHS). Product areas outside that framework — such as medical devices, construction products, marine equipment, rail products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment and unmanned aircraft systems — have their own rules, and you must follow the sector-specific guidance for those.
How big does the UKCA mark have to be, and where does it go?+
At least 5mm high (unless the specific legislation sets a different minimum), in its standard form, easily visible, legible and indelible. Until 31 December 2027 you may put it on a label affixed to the product or on an accompanying document instead of on the product itself.
What about Northern Ireland?+
Northern Ireland follows EU rules, so goods placed on the NI market use CE marking (or CE plus the UKNI indication if a UK body did the conformity assessment). Qualifying Northern Ireland goods can then be sold in Great Britain without additional approvals.
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