The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking is a new UK product marking used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). It covers most goods that previously required the CE marking, known as ‘new approach’ goods. The UKCA marking came into effect on 1 January 2021 and is now accepted. While the original plan was to discontinue us of the CE marking in the UK, August 1, 2023, the UK Department for Business and Trade announced an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for businesses.

The UKCA marking alone cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Ireland market. See the guidance on placing goods on the Northern Ireland market.

For guidance and information on placing goods on the market in the UK, see the guidance on placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain. There is also separate guidance for medical devices, rail interoperability, construction products and civil explosives. For more information on specialist markings, see the guidance on using the UKCA marking guidelines.

In most cases, businesses must apply the UKCA/CE marking to the product itself or to the packaging. In some cases, it may be placed on manuals or other supporting literature. This will vary depending on the specific regulations that apply to the product. The UKCA/CE marking must be clearly visible and legible when affixed to the product. If this is not possible, it must be attached to the packaging (if any) or accompanying documents.

UKCA/CE markings must only be placed on a product by the manufacturer or an authorized representative. When affixing the UKCA marking, the manufacturer takes full responsibility for the product’s conformity with the requirements of the relevant legislation. The UKCA/CE marking must only be used to demonstrate conformity with the relevant UK legislation. No marking or sign may be used to misconstrue the meaning or form of the UKCA/CE marking to third parties. Other markings on the product that affect the visibility, legibility or meaning of the UKCA/CE marking must not be attached. The UKCA/CE marking should not be placed on products unless there is a specific requirement to do so in the legislation. A product may have additional markings and marks, as long as they:

• fulfil a different function from that of the UKCA/CE marking
• are not likely to cause confusion with the UKCA/CE marking
• do not reduce the legibility and visibility of the UKCA/CE marking