UKCA Stands for “UK Conformity Assessed”

UKCA is a new UK product marking scheme that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).

UKCA came into existence due to BREXIT (i.e. Departure of UK from European Union). BREXIT Transition period ended on 31/12/2020.

The UKCA marking came into effect on 1 January 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, Exporters will still be able to use the CE marking until 1 January 2023 in most cases.

The CE marking is only valid in Great Britain for areas where GB and EU rules remain the same. If the EU changes its rules and you CE mark your product on the basis of those new rules you will not be able to use the CE marking to sell in Great Britain, even before 31 December 2022.

Manufacturer/Exporter need to use the new UKCA marking before 1 January 2023 if all of the following apply. The product:

• is for the market in Great Britain
• is covered by legislation which requires the UKCA marking
• requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment

conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK conformity assessment body

Placing the UKCA marking

In most cases, Manufacturer must apply the UKCA marking to the product itself or to the packaging. In some cases, it may be placed on the manuals or on other supporting literature. This will vary depending on the specific regulations that apply to the product.

General rules

The UKCA marking must be clearly visible and legible when you affix it to the product. If this is not possible, you must attach it to the packaging (if any) or accompanying documents.

UKCA markings must only be placed on a product by you as the manufacturer or your authorized representative (where permitted in the relevant legislation).

When affixing the UKCA marking, Manufacturer/Exporter take full responsibility that product is in conformity with the requirements of the relevant legislation.

Manufacturer/Exporter must only use the UKCA marking to demonstrate conformity with the relevant UK legislation.

Manufacturer/Exporter must not place any marking or sign that may misconstrue the meaning or form of the UKCA marking to third parties.

Manufacturer/Exporter must not attach other markings on the product which affect the visibility, legibility or meaning of the UKCA marking.

The UKCA marking cannot be placed on products unless there is a specific requirement to do so in the legislation.

A product may have additional markings and marks, as long as they:

• fulfil a different function from that of the UKCA marking
• are not likely to cause confusion with the UKCA marking
• do not reduce the legibility and visibility of the UKCA marking

Rules for using the UKCA image

Manufacturer/Exporter must make sure that:

• if Manufacturer/Exporter reduce or enlarge the size of marking, the letters forming the UKCA marking must be in proportion to the version set out below
• the UKCA marking is at least 5mm in height – unless a different minimum dimension is specified in the relevant legislation

the UKCA marking is easily visible, legible

The UKCA marking can take different forms (for example, the colour does not have to be solid), as long as it remains visible, legible and maintains