ANNUAL PREDICTIONS
Are locksmiths up to the mark on UKCA and UKNI ?
» RICHARD BROMLEY , BUSINESS Development Director at UNION , part of the ASSA ABLOY Door Hardware Group , discusses what the new UKCA and UKNI product marking system means for locksmiths and how these updates are affecting door opening solutions .
Now that the transition period following Brexit has officially ended , a new product marking system covering goods that previously required CE marking has come into force in Great Britain . Known as the UKCA mark , it includes products such as fire-resistant and emergency locks , panic exit devices and door closers .
1 . What is the UKCA mark ?
The UKCA ( UK Conformity Assessed ) marking is the new product marking system that will be used for goods being placed on the market in England , Scotland and Wales . It covers all goods that previously required CE marking , and must be undertaken by a UK-recognised ‘ approved body ’. An EU notified body , which would previously have been called upon for CE marking , cannot be used for UKCA marking .
2 . How is Northern Ireland affected ?
As with the UKCA mark , a Northern Ireland equivalent – the UKNI mark – came into effect on 1 January 2021 .
The Northern Ireland Protocol aims to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland by ensuring that the province will continue to follow the EU ’ s rules on product standards .
Critically , CE marking will continue to be used in Northern Ireland after 1 January 2021 , to demonstrate products still meet EU standards . However , if a manufacturer uses a UK approved body – rather than an EU notified body – to carry out mandatory third-party assessments , then products must also carry the new UKNI mark alongside the CE mark .
3 . What are the key deadlines ?
As of 1 January 2021 , all new products launched in Great Britain must be UKCA marked , with the CE mark no longer being recognised from 1 January 2022 . For existing CE marked products , there will be a ‘ coexistence ’ period until 31st December 2021 , where these goods can continue to be sold in Great Britain until then .
During this timeframe , it is expected that manufacturers will take steps to ensure existing CE marked products will have the UKCA mark applied in time for 1 January 2022 , when the CE mark will cease to be recognised in Great Britain .
4 . Whose responsibility is it ?
While it is the hardware manufacturer ’ s responsibility to ensure their products conform to the standards , it is everyone ’ s responsibility throughout the supply chain to ensure properly certified and marked products are specified . For instance , hardware covered by an EU harmonised standard being fitted onto a fire door must be appropriately marked . If it does not , then there could be a thorough investigation , plus potentially significant fines and penalties .
Therefore , locksmiths should make sure they have a solid understanding of what the correct product marking entails and the timescales that are being worked towards .
5 . How is UNION responding ?
For Great Britain , UNION is ensuring all new products from the beginning of 2021 will be certified using a UK approved body and have the UKCA mark applied , if they are intended to be used on fire doors or if it ’ s electro-mechanical hardware . Then , for its range of existing CE marked products , UNION is progressing UKCA marking for these solutions too , ensuring they are properly certified and marked in time for the 1 January 2022 deadline .
In Northern Ireland , for existing door hardware solutions that are CE marked by a UK-based notified body , UNION has transferred certification to or has re-certified products with an EU-based notified body .
Then , all new products sold into Northern Ireland will either be CE marked by an EU-based notified body , or a UK-based approved body will be used to gain UKNI marking , alongside the UKregistered CE mark approval .
And , finally , all relevant documents , such as labels , product packaging , marketing materials and instruction manuals , will be updated . Clearly , this is no small feat , and this will be a rolling change throughout 2021 .
As we enter this new chapter in the UK ’ s history , door hardware manufacturers must ensure their products conform to the new product marking guidelines . At the same time , however , it also falls to locksmiths to make sure that the products they specify and install do the same . Let ’ s get this right together and ensure a smooth transition for the industry .
www . assaabloyopeningsolutions . co . uk
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JAN / FEB 2021
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