The UKCA marking is the product marking used for products being placed on the market in Great Britain as a result of Brexit. The UKCA marking applies to most products for which the CE marking could be used. The mark indicates that all relevant health and safety regulations and applicable standards have been met by the manufacturer and that it’s safe and legal to use.
The date by which products placed on the GB market must be UKCA-marked has been amended to 1 January 2025.
Exceptions
There are two specific exceptions to this requirement:
- Qualifying Northern Ireland goods can continue to be placed on the GB market bearing the CE marking or CE and UKNI markings after 1 January 2025.
- CE-marked PPE that was placed on the UK or EU markets before 1 January 2025 (before the expiry of the Transition Period) and has not yet reached its end user may continue to circulate on either market until it reaches them.
What are the implications?
From 1 January 2025, employers should ensure that any PPE they buy bears the ‘UKCA’ mark and complies with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (as incorporated into UK law).
As well as the UKCA mark on the product (or its packaging/accompanying documentation until 1 January 2028), a supplier would be expected to be able to provide a UK Declaration of Conformity.
PPE that is CE-marked and was placed on the market on or before 31 December 2024, can continue to be used, providing that it is otherwise suitable.
The HSE’s revised PPE guidance explains how to comply with the Regulations. It includes:
- Details of the types of PPE available.
- The hazards that may require PPE to be used.
- Advice on the selection, use and maintenance of PPE.
The revised version of the guidance also includes information on conformity marking, following the UK’s exit from the EU.