UK CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT

Using the
UKCA mark.
UK market access legislation requirements
What is the
UKCA mark?
The UKCA (UK Conformity
Assessment) marking is a new UK
product marking that will be used for
goods being placed on the market in
England, Wales and Scotland.
When is the UKCA
mark coming into
force?
The UKCA marking can be used from
1st January 2021. However, CE marking
will continue to be accepted until the
end of 2021, but old approach goods
such as chemicals, medicines, vehicles
and aerospace have different rules.
Goods which follow special rules:
• Medical devices
• Rail interoperability constituents
• Construction products
• Civil explosives
• Products requiring eco-design and
energy labelling
• Cosmetics
• Goods covered by national rules
(non-harmonised).
2 | Lloyd’s Register
From 1st January 2022, the UKCA
mark becomes mandatory and only
products with the UKCA mark will be
accepted in England, Wales and
Scotland.
Guidance of use
Most products currently required to
use CE marking will need to switch to
UKCA marking by the end of 2021. You
can check whether UKCA marking will
be required for your products here.
You will need to use the new UKCA
marking immediately if all of the
following apply. The product:
• Is a new approach good
• Is covered by legislation which
requires the UKCA marking
• Requires mandatory third-party
conformity assessment and
conformity assessment has been
carried out by a UK conformity
assessment body.
Both CE and UKCA marks can be
applied to a single piece of equipment
provided they meet the requirements
of both.
If you don’t sell directly to Europe
but your equipment is placed into a
system that is subsequently sent to
Europe; it is recommended that you
discuss this with your customers as
part of your contract, as you may need
to agree to dual mark CE and UKCA.
Exceptions
The UKCA marking rules do not
apply to:
• Items with a lawful CE mark,
certified before and placed on the
market no later than 31/12/2020
can still be used after 01/01/2021
• Placed on the market means
available for first time use but:
– Proof will be needed such as
“contracts of sale”
– Shipping for distribution
– It is incumbent on the
manufacturer, importer or
distributor to provide the proof
the item was placed on the
market before 01/01/2021.
What other UK marks are available? Pressure Equipment
• The ‘Pi’ mark is replaced by ‘Rho’ for the carriage of dangerous goods
Directive
• The wheel mark for MED is replaced by the MCA flag.
Approvals issued by the UK notified
You can find a list of approved UK bodies here. bodies and recognised third parties
before the 31 December 2020 are not
valid to support CE marking for the
Carriage of dangerous goods Marine Equipment Directive
Pressure Equipment Directive except
for CE UKNI. Manufacturers will need
approval from a NoBo or RTPO in an
EU member state.

Lloyd’s Register has recently acquired

What are the requirements for an RTPO in Ireland, and therefore can
continue to support manufacturers
Northern Ireland? with PED Annex 1 § 3.1.2. & 3.1.3
services for welding/welder and NDT
The UKCA marking alone cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Operator certification.
Ireland market, which require the CE marking or UKNI marking. The UKNI
marking is not recognised in the EU market, if you are placing goods in the EU
market, you must use the CE marking on its own.
CE mark your
equipment
Type of goods Accepted markings
In many cases, manufacturers
Placing goods on the Manufactured goods being UKCA or CE need an independent body to
market in Great Britain placed on the GB market provide third-party testing,
until the end of 2021
inspection and certification
Manufactured goods UKCA throughout the manufacturing
placed on the GB market process. Lloyd’s Register is a NoBo
from 1 Jan 2022 for several EU Directives and can
provide independent certification
Placing qualifying Qualifying Northern CE or CE and UKNI for your products.
Northern Ireland goods on Ireland goods being placed
the market in Great on the GB market under
Britain (unfettered access) unfettered access Prepare for the UKCA
marking
UK Conformity Assessment Bodies If your product is required to change
• The government has set up a new domestic UK database to replace the to UKCA marking, you should contact
NANDO database an approved UKCA marking body
• Unless requested otherwise the NANDO scope will be transferred entirety to who will be able to help you through
the new UK database this process.
• Appointment conditions and letters will follow after 01/01/2021
• UKAS Assessments will remain “as is” for the UK scopes Only UK Conformity Assessment
• Converted UK Approved Bodies will also be able to assess the conformity of Body’s such as Lloyd’s Register can do
products for export to third countries, subject to the UK securing ongoing this and not EU27 Notified Bodies.
mutual recognition of conformity assessment and getting any additional
accreditation necessary.

UK CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT - Using the UKCA mark | 3

About Lloyd’s Register:

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Working together for a safer world.

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new technology, and a deep rooted desire to drive
better performance.

So we consider our customers’ needs with diligence and

empathy, then use our expertise and over 250 years’
experience to deliver the smart solution for everyone.

After all, there are some things technology

can’t replace.

Get in touch
Please visit lr.org/en-gb or
email inspection@lr.org for more
information.

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© Lloyd’s Register Group Limited 2021. Published February 2021.