From January 1, 2021, the technical requirements that all products must meet, as well as the conformity assessment processes and criteria that can be used to demonstrate conformity, will be essentially the same as they are currently. In order to give companies time to adapt to the new requirements, the CE marking can still be used until January 1, 2022 for the majority of products (with the exception of products to which special rules apply).
Dimensions of the UKCA mark
The UKCA mark consists of the letters "UKCA" in a grid, with "UK" above "CA". The UKCA label is shown below:
The UKCA symbol must be at least 5mm in height (unless another size is required by specific legislation) and cannot be distorted or used in a different scale.
UKCA labels must be visible, clear and permanent. This affects the suitability of different label specifications 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 a CE label need to be changed to a UKCA label?
If you have placed your goods on the UK market (or in an EU country/region) before January 1, 2021, you do not need to do anything.
Businesses are encouraged to prepare for the full implementation of the new UK regime as soon as possible after January 1, 2021 However, in order to give businesses time to adjust, CE-marked EU-compliant goods (and UK-compliant goods) can continue to be placed on the GB market until January 1, 2022, with the EU and UK requirements remaining unchanged.
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 2009/48/EU
2. Mobile Pressure Equipment - Directive 2010/35/EU
3. Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Rohs - Directive 2011/65/EU
4. Construction Products - Regulation (EU) No 305/2011
5.Pyrotechnic articles-Directive 2013/29/EU
6.Recreational vessels-Directive 2013/53/EU
7.Explosives for civil use-Directive 2014/28/EU
8.Simple pressure vessels-Directive 2014/29/EU
9.Electromagnetic compatibility-Directive 2014/30/EU< /p>
10.Non-automatic weighing scales-Directive 2014/31/EU
11.Measuring instruments-Directive 2014/32/EU
12.Elevators-Directive 2014/33/EU
13.Explosion-proof ATEX-Directive 2014/34/EU
14.Radio equipment-Directive 2014 /53/EU
15.Low Voltage - Directive 2014/35/EU
16.Pressure Equipment - Directive 2014/68/EU
17.Marine Equipment - Directive 2014/90/EU
18.Ropeways Installation - Regulation (EU) 2016/424
19.Personal Protective Equipment-Regulation (EU) 2016/425
20.Gas Appliances-Regulation (EU) 2016/426
21.Medical Devices-Regulation (EU) 2017/745
22.In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices-Regulation (EU) 2017/746
23.EU Fertilizer Products-Regulation (EU) 2019/1009
Note: There is specific guidance that will address the following four categories of products: medical devices, railroads, construction products and civil explosives.
Different rules must be followed if the following goods are to be placed on the UK market:
Chemicals
Medicines
Automotive
Aerospace
Can UKCA certification and CE marking go together?
It is possible to carry both CE and UKCA marks, as long as they are fully compliant with UK and EU regulations. As a result, affected companies may want to consider using both the UKCA mark and the CE mark in order to sell the same products/models in both the EU and GB markets.
When must I apply for UKCA certification?
The UK Government is encouraging businesses to implement the new UK regime as soon as possible after January 1, 2021 and a product must be UKCA marked from January 1, 2021 immediately if all of the following conditions are met:
- it is covered by legislation requiring UKCA marking (see above)
- 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 yet been transferred from the UK body to an EU-based body by January 1, 2021
This is the case if your product has been CE marked and certified by a UK Notified Body. The reason for this is that after January 1, 2021, certificates obtained from that UK body will no longer be valid, as the UK notified body will no longer be recognized by the EU.
It is important to note that as the UK has completed its exit from the EU, it is possible that the UK's product standards and energy efficiency standard requirements will be different from the EU's regulations in the future, so Chinese exporters should continue to follow up on the changes in the UK's relevant regulations and standards, and make good preparations as early as possible.