HARDWARE & SECURITY
CE , UKCA and UKNI marking
– an update
As we are all aware , the United Kingdom has now left the European Union . On 24 December 2020 , after a prolonged period of negotiations , the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement was reached between the UK and the EU .
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» THE NEW DEAL SECURES TARIFFfree access between EU and UK markets , but does not change the compliance process . Product marking and conformity to the UK legislations remains mandatory for placing goods on the market in UK , although this will change from traditional CE marking .
This article from Douglas Masterson , technical manager of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers ( GAI ), outlines some of the changes door hardware professionals can expect to see regarding third party conformity assessment marking in Great Britain , Northern Ireland , and the EU . Please note that the information provided is only correct at the time of going to press , as this is an area which is subject to ongoing change .
‘ The UKCA marking will not be recognised on the EU market , and it cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Ireland market , which will require either CE marking or new UKNI marking ’
UKCA marking replaces CE marking
The UKCA ( UK Conformity Assessed ) marking is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain ( England , Wales and Scotland ). This replaces CE marking which will cease to be used in Great Britain .
UKCA marking is of great importance to the architectural ironmongery industry as any products currently CE marked will require UKCA marking in order to be placed on the GB market . The UKCA marking will not be recognised on the EU market , and it cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Ireland market , which will require either CE marking or new UKNI marking .
UKCA marking will be optional for products placed on the market in GB ( if CE marking is applied instead ) until 31st December 2021 but will be mandatory from 1st January 2022 . It will need to be used if all the following apply . The product :
• is for the market in Great Britain ( England , Scotland , Wales -not Northern Ireland )
• is covered by legislation which requires the UKCA marking .
• requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment .
• if conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK Approved Body ( not a EU27 Notified Body )
• is within the scope of a UK designated standard ( as opposed to EU harmonised standard )
This does not apply to existing stock , for example if the product was fully manufactured and ready to place on the market before 1 January 2021 . In these cases , the product can still be sold in GB with a CE marking if covered by a certificate of conformity issued by a UK body before 1st January 2021 .
The following general rules apply in relation to UKCA marking :
• UKCA markings must only be placed on a product by the manufacturer or authorised representative .
• when attaching the UKCA marking , the manufacturer takes full responsibility for the product ’ s conformity with the requirements of the relevant legislation .
• UKCA marking must only be used to show product conformity with the relevant UK legislation .
• no marking or sign shall be placed that may misconstrue the meaning or form of the UKCA marking to third parties .
• no other markings shall be placed on the product which affects the visibility , legibility or meaning of the UKCA marking .
36
MAR / APR 2021
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