From 1st January 2021 the Construction Products Regulations in the UK have changed.  Whilst the technical requirements for goods historically traded under Construction Products Regulation (CPR) will remain broadly the same on 1 January 2021, a transition on product marking has begun and two new product marks, the UKCA and UKNI marks have been introduced to replace the CE Mark for products placed on the market in the UK (the CE mark will no longer be valid on imports or domestically manufactured products sold in the UK the 1st January 2022).  Products sold in to Europe will still be subject to produce regulations in the EU and carry the CE Mark.

UK Approved Bodies / EU Notified Bodies

These UKCA and UKNI marks will be managed by UK-recognised approved bodies, in place of the current EU system of notified bodies.  Within this change, the recognition of assessment and test reports for the purposes of CE marking where UK bodies are no longer eligible to operate as notified bodies (and visa versa EU bodies who will not be eligible to award the UKCA mark).  This has created some challenges and is yet to be fully resolved.

UK Market Conformity Assessment Bodies database
EU Notified Bodies database

Designated standards

All existing harmonised European standards became UK ‘designated standards’. This means that immediately after the end of the transition period, harmonised European standards and UK designated standards will be identical.

The government has published, and will maintain, a list of these designated standards on GOV.UK.

Designated standards

To assist manufacturers and contractors in understanding their requirements, FIS has produced two simple tables that show requirements for 2021 and how this is likely to change in 2022.  With some fluidity still expected and issues with European Technical Assessments Issued by UK Notified Bodies and test reports issued by UK Notified Laboratories (it is now understood that these can no longer be used for the purposes of CE Marking and you will need to transition to an EU Notified Body for the purposes of CE Marking when placing your products in the European market from the 1st January and to switch to UKCA Marking in the UK via a UK Approved Body).  The situation is different in Northern Ireland, based on the Northern Ireland Protocol and it is vital that you are in conversation with the Notified Body/Test laboratory to ensure that that you are working towards compliance asap in readiness for the New Year.

Product Marking Requirements from January 2021-December 2021

Manufacture in Great Britain Manufacture in
Northern Ireland
Manufacture in EU / Internationally
Place in GB

UKCA

CE

UK (NI) & CE

CE

CE

UKCA

Place in NI

UK (NI) & CE

CE

UK (NI) & CE

CE

CE

UK(NI) &CE

Place in EU CE CE CE
  • You can place the UKCA and CE marking on the same product if it is destined for both the GB and EU markets so long as the product meets the rules for both markets.
  • UK Notified bodies will no longer be able to provide CE marking from 1st Jan 2021, vital to check with your notified body how the transition is being handled
  • The UKCA mark alone cannot be used for goods placed on the market in Northern Ireland

Product Marking Requirements from January 2022

Manufacture in Great Britain Manufacture in
Northern Ireland
Manufacture in EU / Internationally
Place in GB UKCA

UK (NI) & CE

CE

UKCA
Place in NI

UK (NI) & CE

CE

UK (NI) & CE

CE

CE

UK (NI) & CE

Place in EU CE CE CE
  • So long as you have the correct approval from an EU Notified and UK Approved body, there is nothing to stop you using all three marks in accordance with marking requirements,
  • Further clarity anticipated on how the Construction Products Regulations will be applied in Northern Ireland is available here.

It is important to consider whether you are placing or purchasing a system or assembly – if the latter, you will need to consider any marking requirements of the component parts. This will also have implications on any tariff requirements

FIS is keeping our Preparing for Brexit Toolkit up to date here, the risk assessment tool includes links to support preparing for import and export, the EORI process and tariff expectations.

FIS is grateful to the Construction Products Association for support in helping to target and develop guidance for our community.

Additional instructions for use of UKCA and the UKNI images – The rules for using the UKCA and the UKNI images have added additional instructions regarding the height of the markings.

Questions and Answers

Could a manufacturer in GB apply the UKNI & CE to sell across the UK (that is both in NI and GB) thus avoiding the need to use UKCA mark as well?  

From the 1 January 2021, this depends on where the product has been conformity assessed.

If a UK body has assessed the product it will need to have UKNI+CE marking (to allow it on the NI market) in combination with the UKCA mark (for the GB market).

If it has been tested by an EU body it can be CE marked (will allow it on the NI market) and a UK body will need to test it to apply the UKCA mark (for the GB market).

To be clear, UK bodies are able to apply the CE marking only where it is accompanied by the UKNI marking, to indicate that the product is valid for placing on the NI market, but not the EU market. UK bodies are not recognised as competent to apply the CE marking alone, since this would mean the product is valid for the EU market. Without an MRA, UK bodies will not be recognised as competent to test for the EU market.

If I have traditionally relied on ACVP System 4 to manage CE Marking, can I self accredit for the purposes of UKCA Marking?

Where the has been no involvement of an EU Notified Body for the purposes of CE Marking, as is the case with ACVP System 4 then you will not be required to look to a UK Approved Body to support the UKCA marking of a product, it will be up to the supplier to assemble the evidence required to demonstrate they meet ALL relevant parts of the UK regulations.

Under AVCP System 3 and above, where a manufacture must have an Initial Type Test (ITT) report issued by an EU Notified Test Laboratory.  UK Test reports are no longer recognised by the EU thus unilaterally invalidating all existing AVCP System 3 testing carried out in the UK and those for the future for the purposes of CE Marking.  UK manufacturers looking to adopt the UKCA mark in this instance will need to do so by working with a UK Approved Body. 

Additional recommended articles:

Brexit: The Big Three Issues for the Finishes and Interiors Sector

CLC Guide: Conformity Marking of Construction Products Guidance

UK Government: Details of the 12-month transition for CE Marking

UK Government: Construction Products Regulation in Great Britain

Further guidance on how the Construction Products Regulations will be applied in Northern Ireland is available here.

CPA: Concerns if you CE Mark using a European Technical Assessment Issued by a UK Notified Body

 

FIS Preparing for Brexit Toolkit

You can visit the FIS Preparing for Brexit Toolkit here

Please do check back on this page, whilst FIS is making every effort to provide clear information, all advice is provided in good faith, but in an environment where Government are publishing new guidance and hence details subject to review – any deal secured may result in further clarification or change.