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UKCA Certification Update

July 27, 2022

On June 20, 2022, the UK government announced changes to legislation that they intend to implement to simplify the requirements for manufacturers placing product on to the UK market.

The main changes as presented by the UK government department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) are set out below.

Reduce Re-testing Costs for UKCA Certification

Re-testing costs for UKCA certification will be reduced by allowing conformity assessment activities for CE marking completed by December 31, 2022, to be used by manufactures as the basis for UKCA marking. This will reduce the immediate costs faced by manufacturers and will be valid until the expiry of their certificate or for five years (December  31, 2027), whichever is sooner. This will reduce duplication and costs for businesses and, by extension, consumers.

No Need to Re-test Existing Imported Stock

To make clear there is no need to re-test existing imported stock as these products will be considered already placed on the market in Great Britain (GB). This will prevent the costly and unnecessary re-labeling of existing stock for businesses.

Spare Parts Can Meet the Same Requirements Original Product Was Placed on the GB Market

Spare parts that repair, replace, or maintain goods already on the GB market can meet the same requirements that were in place at the time the original product or system was placed on the GB market. This will allow products and goods requiring spare parts to continue to be maintained.

Allow Businesses to Affix UKCA Marking and Importer Info for Products from EEA Countries

Businesses will be able to affix UKCA marking, and include importer information for products from EEA countries (and in some cases Switzerland), on an accompanying document or label until December 31, 2025. This will allow businesses to adjust their product design to accommodate marking changes at a convenient and cost-effective time.

Recognizing Historic Testing on Some Construction Products

Manufacturers of construction products under AVCP system 3 – such as radiators, sealants and tile adhesives – whose products are tested by an EU notified body before January 1, 2023 will be able to obtain a UKCA mark without having to retest through a UK-approved body.

Interpreting the Proposed Changes

The following explains how these proposed changes are to be interpreted for impacting products that fall under the following UK Legislation and are intended to be placed on the UK market:

  • Pressure Equipment Regulation
  • Simple Pressure Vessels Regulation
  • Machinery Regulation
  • Equipment and Protective Systems intended for use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX)

Please, be aware, that there are different rules for:

  • Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulation
  • Construction Products Regulation (under AVCP systems 1, 1+ and 2+)

Products Currently Certified Against EU Legislation

Any product that currently has a valid certification against EU legislation will not require re-test according to UK legislation until the certificate expires or December 31, 2027, whichever is sooner.

SGS will use the valid certificates as the basis for UKCA marking. The manufacturer can apply to a UK‑Approved Body to obtain the transfer of the certification to assure the compliance of equipment to UK legislation.

As an UK-Approved Body, SGS can support you through the process and enable you to understand the requirements applicable to your product.

Products Certified or Updated Under EU Legislation After December 31, 2022

Any product that undergoes conformity assessment activity and receives new certification after the end of 2022 will require a UK certificate. The same approach will also be applicable to updates of EU certificates used for the basis of UK certificates by the UK Approved Body.

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Vannuccini
Industries & Environment
Global Equipment Certification Manager
t: +39 338 7396 194

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