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Using the UKCA marking

The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most goods which previously required the CE marking.

The UKCA marking alone cannot be used for goods placed on the Northern Ireland market, which require the CE marking or UKNI marking. See the guidance on placing goods on the Northern Ireland market.

This guidance explains how to use the UKCA marking. For further information on placing these goods on the market, see the guidance on placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain.

Check whether you need to use the new UKCA marking

Selling goods in Great Britain

The UKCA marking applies to most goods previously subject to the CE marking. It also applies to aerosol products that previously required the ‘reverse epsilon’ marking.

The technical requirements (‘essential requirements’) you must meet – and the conformity assessment processes and standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity – are largely the same as they were for the CE marking.

The circumstances in which you can use self-declaration of conformity for UKCA marking are the same as for CE marking. Check the list of areas where self-declaration is permitted.

The UKCA marking came into effect on 1 January 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, you will still be able to use the CE marking until 1 January 2022 in most cases.

In some cases, you need to apply the new UKCA marking to goods being sold in Great Britain immediately from 1 January 2021.

The CE marking is only valid in Great Britain for areas where GB and EU rules remain the same. If the EU changes its rules and you CE mark your product on the basis of those new rules you will not be able to use the CE marking to sell in Great Britain, even before 31 December 2021.

Check whether you will need to use the UKCA marking by reading the guidance on placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain.

There is separate guidance for medical devices, rail interoperability, construction products and civil explosives.

Selling goods in the EU

The UKCA marking is not recognised on the EU market. Products need a CE marking for sale in the EU. Find out how to use the CE marking.

When to use the UKCA marking

You only need to use the new UKCA marking before 1 January 2022 if all of the following apply. Your product:

  • is for the market in Great Britain
  • is covered by legislation which requires the UKCA marking
  • requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment
  • conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK conformity assessment body

This does not apply to existing stock, for example if your good was fully manufactured, CE marked and ready to place on the market before 1 January 2021. In these cases, your good can still be sold in Great Britain with a CE marking even if covered by a certificate of conformity issued by a UK body before 1 January 2021.

How to use the UKCA marking

Placing the UKCA marking

In most cases, you must apply the UKCA marking to the product itself or to the packaging. In some cases, it may be placed on the manuals or on other supporting literature. This will vary depending on the specific regulations that apply to the product.

The following general rules apply:

  • UKCA markings must only be placed on a product by you as the manufacturer or your authorised representative (where allowed for in the relevant legislation)
  • when attaching the UKCA marking, you take full responsibility for your product’s conformity with the requirements of the relevant legislation
  • you must only use the UKCA marking to show product conformity with the relevant UK legislation
  • you must not place any marking or sign that may misconstrue the meaning or form of the UKCA marking to third parties
  • you must not attach other markings on the product which affect the visibility, legibility or meaning of the UKCA marking
  • the UKCA marking cannot be placed on products unless there is a specific requirement to do so in the legislation

Rules for using the UKCA image

You must make sure that:

  • if you reduce or enlarge the size of your marking, the letters forming the UKCA marking must be in proportion to the version set out below
  • the UKCA marking is at least 5mm in height for the whole logo, not individual letters – unless a different minimum dimension is specified in the relevant legislation
  • the UKCA marking is easily visible, legible (from 1 January 2023 it must be permanently attached)