Hot Spot UK Government to permit CE Marking for another 2 years

What is it?

On 14/11/2022 BEIS and Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP have made the following press announcement Businesses to be given UK product marking flexibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) concerning the introduction of mandatory UKCA marking.

A further statement has also been made by Kevin Hollinrake MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State that confirms that the Government has laid a new draft statutory instrument before parliament that will allow the recognition of CE product marking in Great Britain for a further 2 years, allowing businesses to use CE product markings instead of UKCA until 31/12/2024.

The announcement also states that future product marking plans will be reviewed to minimise costs and burdens for business in the longer term Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

The updated guidance published by BEIS can be found by following the link Placing manufactured products on the market in Great Britain - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Why is it Important?

This announcement also relates to the easements previously announced by BEIS in June 2022 and featured in Hot Spots BV002526 and BV002535. The statutory instrument that has been introduced includes legislation for the easements and also aligns all the dates. Below is a brief summary of the changes:

1. CE marking is acceptable to allow relevant products to be placed on the market in GB until 31/12/2024.

2. UKCA marking can be currently used to indicate product compliance with the relevant requirements in the GB market on an ongoing basis, but it will not become mandatory until 01/01/2025.

3. The easements allowed CE certification issued in 2022 or earlier to be used to demonstrate compliance with UKCA requirements until it expired or 31/12/2027 whichever is sooner. The 14/11/2022 statutory instrument now allows CE certification issued by 31/12/2024 to be used for this purpose until it expires or 31/12/2027.

4. The easements also covered the extended labelling provisions for UKCA marking, importer information and responsible persons’ information until 31 December 2027. This provision is unchanged and allows temporary labels or accompanying documents to be used.

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Hot Spots are intended to alert members and provide a brief overview of new standards, activities or procedures that are being introduced in the industry. If there is key information missing that would be helpful, please let us know so that we can improve our future service.

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Published: 16th November 2022