What is UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment)? UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) Assessment

Basic Introduction

The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) mark is a new UK product mark that will be used for goods in the UK (England, Wales and Scotland) market. It covers most goods that previously required CE certification.

Time of use

Manufacturers will need to apply the new UKCA mark to goods sold in the UK from January 1, 2021. The UK government encourages manufacturers to prepare in advance as soon as possible before this date to use the UKCA mark.

Suitable products

Toy safety, cruise ships and private boats, simple pressure vessels, electromagnetic compatibility

Non-automatic weighing instruments, measuring instruments, elevators, explosion-proof equipment, radio equipment, pressure equipment, personal protective equipment, gas appliances, machinery, outdoor noise, eco-design, aerosols, low-voltage electrical equipment, restriction of hazardous substances.

✦ Products covered by the UKCA mark, but with some special rules:

Medical devices, rail interoperability, construction products, civil explosives.

The conditions for using the new UKCA mark immediately after January 1, 2021 are as follows

Products placed on the UK market

Products protected by legislation covering the UKCA mark

Products require mandatory third-party conformity assessment

· The conformity assessment of the product is carried out by a UK conformity assessment body (a UK recognised body, an accredited third party organisation or a user inspection body – collectively referred to as a UK recognised body).

Exemptions

It does not apply to existing stocks, for example if the goods were fully manufactured and ready to be placed on the market before 1 January 2021.

In this case, the CE marked goods can still be sold in the UK even if a certificate of conformity issued by a UK body is required.

Transition period from CE marking to UKCA marking

To give companies time to adapt to the new requirements before January 1, 2022, in most cases, manufacturers can still use the CE mark before January 1, 2022.

General Rules

• The UKCA mark may only be placed on products as the manufacturer or your authorised representative (where permitted by relevant legislation);

• When affixing the UKCA mark, you take full responsibility for whether the product complies with the relevant regulatory requirements;

• You use the UKCA mark only to demonstrate that the product complies with relevant UK regulations;

• You must not place any mark or logo on a third party that may mislead the meaning of the UKCA mark;

• You must not attach other marks to the products that affect the visibility, legibility or meaning of the UKCA mark;

Marking requirements

1. The letters in the UKCA mark must be scaled in proportion to the following versions:

2. The minimum height of the UKCA mark is 5mm - unless the relevant law stipulates a different minimum size

3. The UKCA mark must be clearly visible (from January 1, 2023, it must be permanently affixed)

References