UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) is the required certification for products, equipment and machinery supplied to GB markets.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is UKCA Marking?
UKCA is a new mandatory marking required for certain products, equipment and machinery specifically sold in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and covers the vast majority of products currently covered by the CE mark.
The marking became operational in January 2021 and was originally intended to fully replace the use of the CE mark. However, the Government announced that CE marking will continue to be recognised indefinitely to help ease the burdens on British businesses.
Which Areas Does UKCA Cover?
UKCA covers many of the areas currently covered by the CE mark. Product areas include:
- Electromagnetic compatibility
- Machinery
- Low-voltage electrical equipment
- Toys
- Pyrotechnics
- Recreational craft and personal watercraft
- Simple pressure vessels
- Non-automatic weighing instruments
- Measuring instruments
- Measuring container bottles
- Lifts
- Equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (UKEX)
- Radio equipment
- Pressure equipment
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Gas appliances
- Equipment for use outdoors
- Ecodesign
- Aerosols
However, some products are covered by UKCA but have special rules. We recommend consulting the GOV.UK website here for sector-specific guidance.
These include:
- Medical devices
- Rail interoperability
- Construction products
- Civil explosives
- Marine equipment
- Cableways
- Energy using products
- Transportable pressure equipment
- Hazardous substances (RoHS)
Can I Continue to Use CE Marking?
CE marking and reversed epsilon marking will be recognised indefinitely for most products, equipment and machinery sold on the GB market. That means you can continue to use the CE mark without penalty.
This applies only to the 18 regulations that fall under the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
The following products will have different rules:
- Medical devices
- Construction products
- Cableways
- Transportable pressure equipment
- Unmanned aircraft systems
- Rail products
- Marine equipment
- Ecodesign
We advise checking the sector-specific set of regulations that apply to your product.
Want to learn more? Download our free UKCA and CE Marking Guide here.
Does UKCA Marking Apply to EU And NI Markets?
No, UKCA covers products, equipment and machinery being sold or supplied to GB markets only.
Products supplied to the EU must use CE marking, while those supplied to the NI market will still require UKNI marking or CE marking.
You must use all relevant markings for the markets you’re selling to.
Which Engineering Standards Apply to UKCA?
UKCA marking currently requires the same engineering standards that apply to CE marking. These will continue to apply until we are notified of any changes by the UK Government.
How Should I Use the UKCA Mark?
The UKCA mark must only be used to show conformity with relevant legislation in GB and, once attached, represents your acceptance of full responsibility for a product’s conformity with requirements in relevant legislation.
As such, you can’t use the mark on products, equipment or machinery if there is no specific legal requirement, and only the manufacturer or an authorised representative may place the mark.
You shouldn’t use any markings, signs or inscriptions on a product that could misrepresent the meaning of the UKCA marking, and the marking needs to be clearly visible, legible and indelible (meaning it can’t be removed once added).
Where Should I Use the UKCA Mark?
In the majority of cases, you should apply the UKCA mark directly onto a product or its packaging.
You might also place it inside the product manual or other supporting literature, depending on specific regulations that might apply to your product.
See our UKCA and CE Marking Guide for more detailed information on how to obtain the UKCA mark.
What Are the Rules for Using the UKCA Image?
When using the UKCA image for your UKCA mark, the following rules apply:
- If you enlarge or shrink the size of the mark, each must still be in proportion to the official version below
- The UKCA mark must be at least 5mm high, unless otherwise specified in relevant legislation
- The mark can take different forms but must always remain visible and readable
- From 31st December 2024, the UKCA mark should be permanently attached
What Documentation Do I Need?
For UKCA certification, you’ll need to draw up and keep a technical file or document that demonstrates your product, equipment or machinery complies with GB regulatory compliance requirements.
This should include information such as how a product is designed and manufactured, how it’s been shown to conform to relevant requirements, and finally, a UK Declaration of Conformity.
What is a Declaration of Conformity?
For most products, machines and pieces of equipment that use a UKCA mark, you’ll need an accompanying UK Declaration of Conformity before you place them on the GB market. This document serves as a formal declaration that you’ve met all requirements and safety directives applicable.
A Declaration of Conformity can either be drawn up by the manufacturer or an authorised representative, such as a UK-approved body, when permitted. It should include:
- Information about the manufacturer, product and conformity assessment body:
- Your name and signature
- Name and full business address of the manufacturer or an authorised representative
- Serial number, model or type
- Details of the body that conducted the conformity assessment procedure (if relevant)
- The date of the declaration being issued
- Any supplementary information needed
- A declaration of product conformity with relevant statutory requirements
- A statement that you take full responsibility for the compliance of the product
- Details of the legislation that the product complies with, including all relevant UK legislation and UK-designated standards
Does My Assembly Line Need UKCA Marking?
Yes. Even if each individual machine already has an existing CE or UKCA mark, you still need to apply UKCA marking, issue a declaration of conformity and produce a technical file for the assembly line as a whole.
In this case, your technical file needs to only contain the design details and drawings of control systems or parts you’ve supplied or modified and the Declarations of Conformity/Incorporation for each item in the assembly line.
Does Modified Machinery Need a UKCA Conformity Mark?
In the majority of cases, no.
However, you will need to carry out a full conformity assessment and get a new UKCA mark if the modification either:
- Is so extensive that the machine is essentially a completely new item compared with what you started with
- Affects safety design or system function
- Introduces significant new hazards that weren’t present in the original design and therefore couldn’t previously be assessed
We should also note that even if you aren’t required to get a new UKCA conformity mark, you still need to make sure the equipment is safe to use and meets PUWER requirements.
Do Replacement Guards and Safety Components Need UKCA Marking?
Safety components need to be UKCA marked and meet the requirements of the conformity assessment, according to the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations.
If replacement guards are supplied independently to customers (including manufacturers using them in their own products), then they’re classed as safety components and come under the same regulations.
The exceptions to this are:
- Where components form part of a complete machine and the item’s existing UKCA or CE marking already covers them
- Where components are supplied by the original manufacturer as spare parts
Achieve UKCA Certification with Total Confidence
Looking to get UKCA certified but just don’t know where to start?
Our start-to-finish UKCA marking service covers every step of the compliance process. From assessing and testing high-technology equipment against Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations, Machinery Safety Regulations and Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations to providing a Declaration of Conformity.
See our website here to learn more about our UKCA Marking service.
