United Kingdom (GB) - Baby and nursery product
UKCA and compliance requirements for baby and nursery product
Childcare articles for infants and toddlers. In the EU/UK these are governed by general product safety plus product-specific EN standards; in the US, durable infant products have mandatory CPSC standards.
For example: cot / crib, high chair, pushchair, baby monitor.
The forChildren attribute is inherent here. US: durable infant or toddler products (cribs, high chairs, strollers, etc.) have mandatory CPSC standards under CPSIA section 104 plus consumer registration card requirements — identify the specific 16 CFR part for your product. EU/UK rely on harmonised/designated EN standards under general product safety (product-specific standards exist for cots, high chairs, prams — verify the current reference for your product type). Feeding bottles, teats and weaning items engage food contact materials law — additional sector rules apply. Childcare articles are generally NOT toys, but items with play value (e.g. activity arches) can be dual-classified — verify. Smart baby monitors are radio equipment with CRA/PSTI cybersecurity duties and raise camera/privacy considerations. REACH restricts phthalates and other substances in childcare articles.
Base requirements1 instruments
The general safety net for consumer products in Great Britain: no producer may place a product on the market unless it is safe, and producers and distributors must monitor products and notify authorities about unsafe ones. In Northern Ireland these Regulations were superseded on 13 December 2024 by the EU General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988.
Key obligations
- 01No producer shall place a product on the market unless the product is a safe product (regulation 5) - one which under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use presents no risk, or only the minimum risk compatible with the product's use.source
- 02Producers must provide consumers with the relevant information to enable them to assess the risks and take precautions, and enable traceability by indicating the producer's name and address on the product or its packaging.source
- 03Producers must monitor marketed products: sample-test them, investigate and where necessary keep a register of complaints, and keep distributors informed of the results.source
- 04Distributors must act with due care to help ensure only safe products are supplied and must not supply products that, as a professional, they know or ought to know to be dangerous (regulation 8).source
If your product also...
Extra regulations triggered by specific features
Has radio / wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, GPS, RFID/NFC)
The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012
Contains a battery
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012
Plugs into mains power (50–1000 V AC)
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012
Connects to the internet / runs updatable software
Documents you will need
Deduplicated across the regulations above
- Traceability and monitoring recordsNo declaration of conformity or technical file is required. Producers should be able to evidence traceability (name and address on product or packaging), sample testing, complaint investigation and, where necessary, a complaints register.source
Frequently asked
Does GPSR 2005 require UKCA marking or a declaration of conformity?+
No. It is a general safety-net regulation with no conformity marking, declaration of conformity or technical file. Your obligations are that the product is safe, that consumers get the information they need, that you can trace products (name and address on the product or packaging), and that you monitor and notify.
Other markets, same product
Get this for your exact product
Add your product's real features (wireless, battery, mains, children) to see every extra regulation they trigger.