UKCA Marking

1. What is UKCA Marking?

UKCA stands for “UK Conformity Assessed”. It is the British version of the European Union’s CE marking. CE, as well as the UKCA mark, are not quality indicators or certification marks. UKCA marking is a similar provision as the CE marking, however applicable for UK laws and the UK market. It must be considered as an implicit declaration from the manufacturer or brand-owner that his product complies with all UK laws and the applicable British conformity assessment procedures.

2. UKCA Marking Processing

Step 1: Identify the Relevant Regulations
UKCA compliance applies to a range of product categories, each governed by its own set of regulations.
So, before you can get started, you need to identify which regulations are applicable to your specific product, equipment or piece of machinery. We recommend checking via the GOV.UK website here.
For manufacturers, common standards include Electromagnetic Compatibility, Supply of Machinery (Safety), and Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations, among others.

Step 2: Determine the Right Route for Assessment
There are two routes you can take for UKCA certification:

Self-declaration: Self-declaration involves you taking full responsibility for checking and declaring that your product, equipment or piece of machinery complies with the applicable standards and requirements.
Third-party conformity assessment: This involves identifying and engaging with an approved body for UKCA certification via the UK Market Conformity Assessment Body (UKMCAB) database.
The route you take will often depend on your product and its regulations. However, higher-risk pieces typically require a third-party conformity assessment.

Step 3: Draft Your Technical File
As part of the UKCA compliance process, you’ll need to compile and continuously maintain a technical file.

This file should include information on how your product, equipment or piece of machinery is designed and manufactured, how it’s been shown to conform to relevant requirements, safety inspection reports and test certificates.

As part of this, you’ll need to run various tests and checks on your product to ensure it complies with the relevant regulations.

Depending on the specific legislations that apply to your product, equipment or piece of machinery, you also generally must keep your file for 10 years after placing your product on the market.

Step 4: Draft Your Declaration of Conformity
Your Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is your formal declaration that you’ve met all requirements and safety directives applicable to your product, equipment or piece of machinery.

It’s your responsibility to draw up, sign and submit your DoC, along with your supporting documentation, to the relevant regulatory authority.

You must also keep an updated copy of your DoC at all times and make it available to market surveillance or enforcement authorities on request.

Step 5: Affix the UKCA Mark to Your Product
Finally, it’s time to affix your UKCA mark to your product, equipment or piece of machinery.

Depending on the specific regulations that apply, you may affix it directly to the product itself, its packaging and any supporting literature.

There are a few rules surrounding how you can use the UKCA image, including rules around proportions, heights and visibility.

Once you have affixed your UKCA mark, can place your product, equipment or piece of machinery on the GB market.