Hot Spot UK Government Designated Standards Review Process

What is it?

The UK government has rolled out a formal review process for Designated Standards that allows all stakeholders to object to the designation of a new or revised standard if they believe that it does not meet the GB essential legal requirements.

Proposals for new or amended notices concerning Designated Standards are now made publicly available on a web page on the gov.uk site Designated Standards: new or amended notices of publication - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

This page will be available for 28 days (unless immediate action is required), during which period interested parties may object to a publication proposal by submitting an objection form by e mail. The relevant form can be downloaded from the web page. The objection must first outline why the standard proposed for designation does not meet GB essential legal requirements in full or part. All objections received will be considered by the UK Government and the relevant BSI technical committee will be informed. Published proposals will be actioned for publication as Designated Standards after 29 days if no objections are received.

The web page also contains a useful option to sign up to an e mail alert service that will deliver notification of new or amended notices of publication of Designated Standards to your inbox. The latest list of published standards proposed for to amendment is attached for members’ information.

Why is it Important?

Designated Standards are standards that members can use to show their products comply with the essential requirements of legislation in force in Great Britain, such as to permit UKCA marking. This process works in a similar way that complying with harmonized European standards allows conformity with the CE marking scheme to be demonstrated. Therefore, it is important that members who UKCA mark their products maintain their awareness of the designation status of standards that they may rely upon for the purpose of complying with the UKCA approval regulations.

Currently all of the UK’s Designated Standards are also European Harmonised Standards, but there is no guarantee that this will continue to be the case as the UK government is now free to make its own decisions independent of the European Commission.

Continuous Improvement - Did we miss anything?

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.

Please Note: This Hotspot is for information purposes, and we invite comments from BVAA members only. Please also note that at time of publication ballots may be closed. For more information, please contact the Secretariat.

BVAA Members: Did you know we have a hotspot tab on the BVAA website? Head over to www.bvaa.org.uk/login-here.asp and log into the member only area. You then need to select ‘Hotspots’ for the latest. For information on how to access the member only area of the website please contact jane@bvaa.org.uk. 

Published: 10th May 2022