The government announced a series of amendments today (Monday, June 20) to make it easier for firms to apply new product conformity labels to most products sold in England, Scotland, and Wales.
The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark is a legally required mark on some products, such as mobile phones, to indicate that they comply with UK legislation.
Businesses have until January 1, 2023 to begin using the UKCA marking, which will replace the CE and reverse epsilon markings now that the United Kingdom has left the European Union.
The marking enables the United Kingdom to keep control over its products regulations and high product standards.
The new measures are as follows:
The government has announced the following initiatives to make it easier for businesses to use UKCA labelling.
Reducing the cost of re-testing:
Before the end of 2022, any conformity assessment activities carried out by EU authorities will be used as the foundation for UKCA marking the following year.
This legislation will be introduced by the end of the year, allowing manufacturers to use the UKCA mark on certain devices without having to re-test them.
Removing the necessity for existing imported stock to be re-tested:
CE registered products manufactured and imported into the UK by the end of 2022 will be able to be sold without having to comply with UKCA standards. This will eliminate the need for retesting and recertification for imported products that meet CE criteria in the UK.
Accepting spare components into the UK market in the future:
The UK will continue to accept spares onto the GB market that meet the same requirements as the original products or systems that they are being used to repair, replace, or maintain were placed on the market.
This will assist to alleviate concerns regarding spare parts availability and guarantee that businesses and organizations’ activities are not disrupted.
Labeling measures that are being expanded:
Legislation will be introduced to expand current labelling allowances to allow crucial information and other UKCA markings to be applied to items using a sticky label or an accompanying document, making it cheaper and easier for firms to continue supplying goods to the UK.
Recognizing historical testing on various building materials:
Manufacturers of AVCP system 3 construction products, such as radiators, sealants, and tile adhesives, will be allowed to receive a UKCA mark without having to retest through a UK-approved body if their products are tested by an EU notified body before January 1, 2023.