UKCA certification (UK Conformity Assessed) is a proposed UK product marking requirement, and products placed in Great Britain (Great Britain, referred to as "GB", including England, Wales and Scotland, but excluding Northern Ireland) will replace the EU CE marking requirements . The UKCA marking will indicate that products placed in Great Britain meet the UKCA marking requirements. (Note – due to separate Northern Ireland Agreement requirements, additional requirements may need to be considered for products placed on the UK Northern Ireland market)

From January 1, 2021, the technical requirements that all products must meet, as well as the conformity assessment process and criteria that can be used to demonstrate conformity, will be essentially the same as currently. In order to allow time for companies to adapt to the new requirements, most products (except those subject to special rules) can still use the CE mark until January 1, 2022.

Dimensions of the UKCA logo

The UKCA mark consists of the letters "UKCA" in a grid with "UK" above the "CA". The UKCA label is as follows: The UKCA symbol must be at least 5mm in height (unless other dimensions are required by specific regulations) and cannot be deformed or used in a different scale.

The UKCA label must be clearly visible, legible and permanent. This affects the suitability of different label formats and materials – for example, products that are exposed to high temperatures and require UKCA marking will need to have durable heat resistant labels to ensure regulatory compliance.

When does the CE label need to be changed to the UKCA label?

If you have placed your product on the UK market (or in an EU country) before 1 January 2021, no action is required.

Businesses are encouraged to prepare for the full implementation of the new UK regime as soon as possible after 1 January 2021. However, to allow time for businesses to adjust, EU-compliant goods that are CE marked (goods that meet UK requirements) can continue to be placed on the GB market until 1 January 2022, with EU and UK requirements remaining constant.

What products must be UKCA certified?

It basically corresponds to the directives and regulations covered by the EU NEW Approach Framework.

1. Toy Safety – Directive/EU

2. Movable Pressure Equipment – Directive/EU

3. Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Rohs-Directive/EU

4. Construction Products – Regulation (EU) No/2011

5. Pyrotechnic articles – Directive/EU

6. Recreational ships – Directive/EU

7. Civilian Explosives – Directive/EU

8. Simple Pressure Vessels – Directive/EU

9. Electromagnetic Compatibility – Directive/EU

10. Non-automatic weighing instruments – Directive/EU

11. Measuring Instruments – Directive/EU

12. Elevator – Directive/EU

13. Explosion-proof ATEX-Directive/EU

14. Radio Equipment – Directive/EU

15. Low Voltage – Directive/EU

16. Pressure Equipment – Directive/EU

17. Marine Equipment – Directive/EU

18. Ropeway Installation – Regulation (EU)/424

19. Personal Protective Equipment – Regulation (EU)/425

20. Gas appliances – Regulation (EU)/426

21. Medical Devices – Regulation (EU)/745

22. In vitro diagnostic medical devices – Regulation (EU)/746

23. EU Fertilizer Products – Regulation (EU)/1009

Note: There are specific guidelines for the following four categories of products: medical equipment, railways, construction products and civilian explosives.

Different rules must be followed if the following products are to be placed on the UK market:

chemical

drug

car

aerospace

Can UKCA certification and CE certification work together?

Both CE and UKCA markings are possible, as long as they fully comply with UK and EU regulations. Therefore, affected businesses may consider using both the UKCA marking and the CE marking in order to sell the same product/model in the EU and GB markets.

When do I have to apply for UKCA certification?

The UK government is encouraging businesses to implement the new UK regime as soon as possible after 1 January 2021 and products must be UKCA marked immediately from 1 January 2021 if all of the following conditions are met:

– it is protected by legislation requiring UKCA marking

– It requires mandatory third party conformity assessment

– The conformity assessment of the product has been carried out by a UK-based conformity assessment body and the conformity assessment documentation has not been transferred from the UK body to the EU-based body by 1 January 2021.

This is the case if your product is CE marked and certified by a UK Notified Body. The reason is that after 1 January 2021, certificates obtained from this UK institution will no longer be valid as the UK notified institution will no longer be recognised by the EU.

It should be noted that since the United Kingdom has completed Brexit, the product standards and energy efficiency standards in the United Kingdom may be different from EU regulations in the future. Therefore, Chinese exporters should continue to follow the changes in relevant regulations and standards in the United Kingdom and prepare as soon as possible. Work.

How to use the UKCA logo? How to introduce and use the UKCA logo?

The UKCA mark is a product certification mark necessary for products to enter the UK market. It applies to most of the current CE certified products. From January 1, 2021, the technologies and standards that products need to meet, as well as the certification process, are basically the same as the current ones. In principle, the UCKA mark has been used since January 1, 2021, but in order to allow enough time for companies to adapt to the new standard, in most cases, the CE mark can still be used before January 1, 2022.

After 1 January 2021, your product will need to use the new UKCA marking immediately if all of the following conditions are met.

1. Sold in the UK;

2. Laws and regulations stipulate that the UKCA logo must be present;

3. Mandatory third-party conformity assessment is required;

4. The UK conformity assessment body has conducted conformity assessment, but the conformity assessment document has not been transferred from the UK conformity assessment body to the EU-recognized body before January 1, 2021.

The above terms do not apply to existing stock, for example if the product is fully produced and ready to be placed on the market by 1 January 2021. In this case, products bearing the CE mark are also available for sale in the UK.

Like the CE mark, once the UK promulgates the law to implement the UKCA mark, it is necessary to follow the relevant rules and add the conformity mark on the product label, on the packaging and in the instruction manual. The UKCA mark should be placed on the product, but in some cases it may also be placed on the packaging, user manual or other relevant documents.

The exact rules of use depend on the specific regulations that apply to the product. The general rules are as follows:

1. The UKCA logo can only be affixed to the product as the manufacturer or its authorized representative (where permitted by relevant laws);

2. When the UKCA logo is affixed, the manufacturer assumes full responsibility for the product's compliance with relevant regulations;

3. Manufacturers must only use the UKCA mark to demonstrate that the product complies with the relevant UK regulations;

4. The manufacturer shall not place any marks on third parties that may misinterpret the meaning or form of the UKCA mark;

5. The manufacturer shall not attach other marks to the product that affect the visibility, legibility or meaning of the UKCA mark;

6. The UKCA mark cannot be placed on the product unless there is a specific requirement in the legislation.

Basic information required for UKCA certification UKCA certification:

1. Customer application form (English: product name, model, applicant/manufacturer address)

2. Product model and detailed technical parameters

3. Detailed pictures of components and overall structure

4. Electrical schematic diagram (electrical products)

5. Mechanical assembly drawings and drawings of key components

6. Nameplate (font, UKCA symbol)

7. Product instruction manual, installation, maintenance (English version)

8. Parts list (product name, manufacturer)