Posted to News on 2nd Feb 2019, 15:07
Introducing the UKCA mark, which could replace CE marking
On the right you can see the new UKCA mark, which will replace CE marking for machinery in the UK, subject to parliamentary approval, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal having been agreed. It will also replace the CE mark in other areas, such as electrical goods and toys. The new UKCA mark will be required on machinery placed on the market in the UK, whether it is manufactured in the UK or imported to the UK from the EU or elsewhere. The rules relating to UKCA marking will mirror those applying to CE marking.
If you currently rely solely on a self-declaration of conformity for CE marking your machines, you will also be able to use the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking based on self-declaration.
Transition period
The UK Government has said that after 29 March 2019, which is the date when the UK is due to leave the EU, goods can still be sold in the UK if they have have been made and assessed against EU regulatory requirements and then CE marked. This will be for a time-limited period and the Government will consult with industry and provide notice before ending this period.
To place CE marked goods on the UK market after 29 March 2019, the goods must:
- meet the essential requirements as set out in the EU legislation;
- undergo the relevant conformity assessment procedure (including by an EU recognised body, where required);
- display the relevant EU conformity marking (such as the CE mark); and
- be accompanied by technical documentation or other records and an EU declaration or attestation of conformity in English.
Furthermore, during this time-limited period CE marking can continue to be used on the basis of self-declaration of conformity when products are being placed on the market in the UK and EU.
If your machines require third-party assessment of conformity, and if this has been carried out by a UK conformity assessment body, you will have to apply the new UKCA marking after 29 March 2019 (where required by legislation). This will not be the case if the certificate of conformity has been transferred to an EU-recognised body (in which case the CE marking would apply).
Note that the UKCA mark will not be recognised in the EU market; machines placed on the market in the EU will continue to require a CE mark.
Follow the link for more information about the new UKCA mark.
See also this article by Derek Coulson of Safe Machine Ltd, UKCA Marking of Machinery and the implications.
