UKCA Mark

What is the UKCA Mark?

The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark is a new UK product marking that will be used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most goods which previously required the CE marking.

The UKCA marking alone cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Ireland market, which require the CE marking or UK(NI) marking. See further government guidance on placing goods on the Northern Ireland market.

Further UK government information on the UKCA mark can be found here.

When does the UKCA mark come into force?

The UKCA mark will come into force on 1 January 2021, although to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, CE marking will be recognized in the UK until the end of 2021. However, from the beginning of 2022, only products with UKCA marking will be accepted in Great Britain.

For certain goods, such as medical devices, the end date for recognition of the CE mark in Great Britain will differ. Dates will also vary for Northern Ireland. Further information can be found on the dedicated pages linked below.

CE marking will still be recognized for products placed on the market in UK27 countries. Find out more about CE marking.

What products does the UKCA mark apply to?

The majority of products that are currently covered under regulations and directives for CE marking will fall under the scope for UKCA marking. As an approved body for the UKCA mark, SGS can help you with the required conformity assessment procedures that will allow you to attach the UKCA marking for the below areas:

• Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments (NAWI)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)
• Simple Pressure Vessels Directive (SPVD)
• Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED)
• Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
• Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMCD)
• Radio Equipment Directive (RED)
• Machinery Directive (MD)
• Measuring Instruments Directive (MID)
• Equipment and Protective Systems intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX)

SGS can also help you with the below products covered by the UKCA marking that have some special rules:

• Medical Devices 
• Construction Products Regulation (CPR)

How can organizations prepare for UKCA marking?

How your organization prepares for UKCA marking will depend on the future markets you will be looking to access and the current status of your business. If your products require a third-party assessment of conformity from a notified body, you will need to ensure the notified body you are working with can offer UKCA marking related services.

SGS is an approved body for the UKCA mark, so is ready to help.

What about CE marking?

In the event of a “no deal”, any products with CE marking carried out by a UK notified body for third-party assessment of conformity will no longer be valid. Therefore, in order to maintain the CE marking for those products, you will need to work with a notified body that is registered in an EU27 member state. This will ensure your CE marking will be recognized within the EU and also in the UK until the end of 2021.

SGS is a notified body in a number of EU27 member states, meaning we can provide CE marking services for your products.

Why choose SGS?

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. We are recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, we operate a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

We have experts across Europe and the UK with extensive knowledge of the requirements for market access, allowing us to work with you to help you to understand the changing landscape.

To discuss your UKCA requirements, contact us.