Use of CE mark will continue as UK backtracks on UKCA
The UK Government has announced that UK businesses will be allowed to continue using the CE conformity mark “indefinitely” for most goods they place on the UK market, and will not have to use the new UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark from January 2025 as previously announced. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) says the move, which follows “extensive engagement with industry”, will “cut business costs and time required to place products on the market and benefit consumers”. If they want to, businesses will be allowed to use both marks.
The Department says the Business Secretary “acted urgently on this issue, to prevent a cliff-edge moment in December 2024 when UKCA was set for entry. This intervention will ensure businesses no longer face uncertainty over the regulations and can cut back on unnecessary costs freeing them up to focus on innovation and growth.”
According to business minister, Kevin Hollinrake: “The Government is tackling red tape, cutting burdens for business, and creating certainty for firms – we have listened to industry, and we are taking action to deliver. By extending CE marking use across the UK, firms can focus their time and money on creating jobs and growing the economy.”
Stephen Phipson, CEO of the manufacturers’ organisation Make UK, has welcomed the move, saying: “This is a pragmatic and common-sense decision that manufacturers will very much welcome and support. This announcement will help safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturers and aid the UK as a destination for investment.
“It should bring more confidence about doing business in the UK and recognises the need to work with the reality of doing business. Make UK has worked extensively with UK Government pushing hard for this decision and we are pleased the ongoing engagement has delivered this positive outcome.”
The UKCA mark has had a chequered history. Originally, UK businesses were told that they would have to start using the mark at the end of 2021, but this deadline was delayed twice, first to the end of 2022 and then to the end of 2024.
The DBT has announced 18 areas where the implementation of the UKCA will be delayed indefinitely. These include machinery, low-voltage electrical equipment, Atex equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres, and lifts.
