Using the UKCA marking
Find out if you need to use the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking on products you manufacture or handle.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
This guidance explains how to use the UKCA marking. For information on placing products on the market, see the guidance on placing products on the market in Great Britain using UK or EU product markings (PDF, 345 KB, 9 pages).
The government has laid legislation to continue recognition of current EU requirements, including the CE marking (Conformité Européene, or European Conformity marking). The legislation will apply indefinitely for a range of product regulations. This means businesses will have the flexibility to use either the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) or CE marking to sell products in Great Britain (GB). Draft legislation can be found in The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
As part of this legislation, the government is also introducing a new fast-track provision that will allow manufacturers to place products on the GB market where they meet the EU essential requirements and, where required, have been conformity assessed by an EU-recognised conformity assessment body.
To benefit from this provision, manufacturers will need to affix the UKCA marking (in a way that is allowed) and draw up the UK declaration of conformity, listing compliance with the relevant EU legislation. This also means that where products fall within multiple regulations, a mixture of both UKCA and CE conformity assessment procedures can be used.
This is designed to provide longer-term certainty and flexibility for businesses in case the UK mandates UKCA for certain regulations in the future. Find out more about .
Continued recognition of current EU requirements, including the CE and reversed epsilon markings, will apply to 21 product regulations. This will include the 18 product regulations owned by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), previously announced on 1 August 2023. Following feedback from industry, we are also continuing recognition for a further 3 regulations, covering ecodesign, civil explosives and, in most circumstances, restriction of hazardous substances (in electrical equipment).
This announcement does not apply to regulations for medical devices, construction products, marine equipment, rail products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment and unmanned aircraft systems regulations. There are specific arrangements in place for these sectors.
Separately, following feedback from businesses, the government also intends to bring forward an additional statutory instrument to legislate for further measures later in 2024.
This will provide permanent labelling flexibility, allowing:
- the UKCA marking to be placed on a sticky label or accompanying document
- importers of goods from any country outside the UK to provide their details either on the product itself, on an accompanying document, the packaging, or on an adhesive label; this means all businesses placing products on the GB market will benefit from this measure and have the option to provide their details either indelibly on the product itself, on an accompanying document, the packaging or on an adhesive label
- the voluntary option to use digital labelling; businesses will be able to apply the UKCA marking, manufacturer details and importer details digitally
Additional details for these measures will be provided in due course, including which regulations the measures will apply to.
The DBT regulations in scope of this announcement are:
- Equipment for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016/1107
- Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016/1091
- Lifts Regulations 2016/1093
- Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1101
- Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1105
- Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015/1553
- Recreational Craft Regulations 2017/737
- Radio Equipment Regulations 2017/1206
- Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016/1092
- Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011/1881
- Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009/2824
- Gas Appliances (EU Regulation) 2016/426
- Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008/1597
- Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001/1701
- Personal Protective Equipment (EU Regulation) 2016/425
- Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016/1153
- Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016/1152
- Measuring Container Bottles (European Economic Community (EEC) Requirements) Regulations 1977
For the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra):
- Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 (‘The RoHS Regulations’)
For the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ):
- Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010
For the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (Health and Safety Executive (HSE)):
- Explosives Regulations 2014
We are in the process of updating this webpage to reflect these changes.
Product areas covered by the UKCA marking
This page applies to the following areas:
- toys
- pyrotechnics
- recreational craft and personal watercraft
- simple pressure vessels
- electromagnetic compatibility
- non-automatic weighing instruments
- measuring instruments
- measuring container bottles
- lifts
- equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (UKEX)
- radio equipment
- pressure equipment
- personal protective equipment (PPE)
- gas appliances
- machinery
- equipment for use outdoors
- aerosol dispensers
- low voltage electrical equipment
Please consult the sector specific legislation that applies to your products for more information. You can read more about which regulations apply to your products and how to comply with them.
There are specific rules for:
- medical devices
- construction products
- marine equipment
- rail products
- cableways
- transportable pressure equipment
- unmanned aircraft systems
- hazardous substances (RoHS).
- ecodesign
- civil explosives
Using the UKCA marking in different markets
Selling products in Great Britain
The UKCA marking is the conformity marking used for products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). The UKCA regime has been operational since 1 January 2021 and, from this date, where a product is covered by the UKCA marking and meets the relevant requirements, you are able to place the UKCA marking on your product and then place the product on the GB market.
The UKCA marking applies to most products for which the CE marking can also be used. It also applies to aerosol dispensers and measuring container bottles, for which the reversed epsilon marking can also be used. The technical requirements (sometimes referred to as ‘essential requirements’) you must meet for the UKCA marking will depend on the product-specific legislation for your product.
By following designated standards, which the UK introduced to replace EU harmonised standards, there is a statutory ‘presumption of conformity’ that the product meets the essential requirements set out in the GB legislation that apply to that product covered by the standard.
This presumption is rebuttable and, in most cases, using designated standards is voluntary, it is just one way of showing the product meets the essential requirements. In cases where an alternative technical solution is followed, you will have to provide more details in your technical documentation explaining how your products comply with the essential requirements.
For further information, read the guidance on placing manufactured products on the market in Great Britain.
Selling products in Northern Ireland
Different rules apply in Northern Ireland.
For products that can use a UKCA marking in Great Britain, these must meet EU rules in Northern Ireland, including a CE marking. Find out more about placing products on the Northern Ireland market.
You can also read guidance about the special rules around Northern Ireland qualifying goods.
Selling products in the EU
The UKCA marking is not recognised on the EU market. Many products need a CE marking to show that they are in conformity with EU rules before they can be supplied on the EU market.
Find out how to use the CE marking.
Accepted markings on each market
You can check the table below to see which product markings can be used for goods sold on each relevant market under these rules. Please ensure you check the regulations that have specific rules outlined above.
Placing goods on the market in Great Britain or Europe
| Type of product | Accepted markings or combination of markings |
|---|---|
| Manufactured products being placed on the GB market | UKCA or CE |
| Manufactured products being placed on EU market | CE |
Placing qualifying Northern Ireland goods on the market in Great Britain (unfettered access)
| Type of good (see list of product areas at the end of this guidance) | Accepted markings or combination of markings |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Northern Ireland products being placed on the GB market under unfettered access | CE; or CE and UKNI |
Read more about unfettered access.
For the purposes of this table, references to the CE marking may mean that other EU conformity markings apply, if relevant to your product or sector. You can read further information on product markings.
For most manufactured goods, this is the CE marking, but there are some other markings for certain products. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- the inverted epsilon “3” (for example, for aerosols)
- the Pi (π) mark (for example, some transportable pressure equipment)
- the wheelmark (for example, ship parts)
Please consult the sector specific legislation that applies to your products for more information.
UKCA labelling easement
Legislation is now in force which enables the UKCA marking to be placed on a label affixed to the product or on a document accompanying the product until 11pm on 31 December 2027. This measure applies to the following regulations:
- Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009
- Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
- Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016
- Explosives Regulations 2014
- Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016
- Lifts Regulations 2016
- Measuring Container Bottles (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1977
- Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016
- Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001
- Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016
- Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015
- Radio Equipment Regulations 2017
- Recreational Craft Regulations 2017
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018
- Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016
- Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
- The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
- The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012
- Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011
There are specific rules for medical devices, construction products, marine equipment, rail products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment and unmanned aircraft systems.
How to use the UKCA marking
Where to place the UKCA marking
Legislation is now in force which enables the UKCA marking to be placed on a label affixed to the product or on a document accompanying the product until 11pm on 31 December 2027. This means that as of 1 January 2028, in most cases, you must affix the UKCA marking to the product itself or to the packaging. The government intends to introduce legislation to allow the UKCA marking to be affixed in more flexible ways. Additional details for this measure will be provided in due course, including which regulations it will apply to.
In some cases, for example, where the product is too small, the UKCA marking can be affixed to the data plate, packaging, a label affixed to the product or accompanying documentation. Please consult the sector-specific legislation that applies to your products for more information.
The UKCA marking must be clearly visible, legible and indelible when you affix it to the product (or permitted alternatives). There are also rules about the size and dimensions of the UKCA marking. See the rules for using the UKCA image.
UKCA markings must only be placed on a product by you as the manufacturer, your authorised representative (where permitted in the relevant legislation), or if you are marketing the products under your name or trademark (for example, where you will take the responsibilities of the manufacturer, including affixing the UKCA marking).
When affixing the UKCA marking, you take full responsibility for conformity with the requirements of the relevant UK legislation.
You must not place any marking, sign or inscription which is likely to mislead any other person as to the meaning or form of the UKCA marking or affix any marking which would impair the visibility, legibility and 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.
A product may have additional markings and marks, as long as they:
- fulfil a different function from that of the UKCA marking or other recognised conformity markings (where permitted)
- are not likely to cause confusion with the UKCA marking or other recognised conformity markings (where permitted)
- do not reduce the legibility and visibility of the UKCA marking or other recognised conformity markings (where permitted)
Both the CE and UKCA markings can be placed on a product so long as the relevant (EU or GB, respectively) rules are met, neither prevents the other being clearly seen and the requirements of both EU and GB legislation are met.
Accompanying documents
What form your accompanying document should take and how long it needs to be kept for depends on the product’s specific circumstances. For example, if a product is transferred in the course of a commercial activity (in a business-to-business or business-to-consumer transaction), the business supplying the product will be obliged to verify that the product bears the UKCA marking, in accordance with the relevant legislation.
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that the technical documentation and other records relating to conformity assessment procedures are prepared in (or translated to) English regardless of whether the product is UKCA or CE marked. They must also provide the following (in English) with the product itself or as a batch:
- the UKCA marking (if legislation permits the marking to be on an accompanying document)
- the UK Declaration of Conformity, if UKCA marking the product
- the EU Declaration of Conformity, if CE marking the product
- all relevant product instructions and safety information as the legislation requires
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure the manufacturer has:
- drawn up the relevant technical documentation and instructions for use in English
- affixed the relevant conformity marking
- fulfilled their identification obligations of including their name and address in line with relevant guidelines
Find out more about the roles and responsibilities of economic operators.
Each individual product will not necessarily need an accompanying document if moving through the supply chain as a batch. For example, when 1,000 units are moving from distributor A to distributor B, one accompanying document should be sufficient if the information that must accompany the UKCA marking applies to all the units.
However, if distributor B were to then break the units up and supply them to separate distributors C, D, and E, each of these batches would need to be accompanied by the documents outlined above. This principle continues to apply as the units move through the supply chain towards the end user.
Before making a product available, to another distributor or to an end user, the distributor must ensure that:
- each product is marked with the UKCA marking (or the UKCA marking is on a label or document accompanying the product, where permitted)
- the manufacturer and importer have complied with their duties to label the product with their name and contact details
- instructions and safety information accompany the product, and they must be in clear, legible and easily understandable English
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 unless a different minimum dimension is specified in the relevant legislation
- the UKCA marking is easily visible, legible and indelible
The UKCA marking can take different forms (for example, the colour does not have to be solid), as long as it remains visible, legible and maintains the required proportions.
Updates to this page
Published 31 December 2020Last updated 17 May 2024 + show all updates
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CE recognition end date of 31 December 2024 removed. References to new legislation included which the government has laid to continue recognition of current EU requirements for a range of product regulations, including the CE marking, meaning businesses will have the flexibility to use either the UKCA or CE marking to sell a range of products in Great Britain. Relevant products and affected sectors have been included, as well as general updates to the guidance.
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Banner added advising that government intends to legislate to continue recognition of EU requirements, including the CE marking, indefinitely for a range of product regulations.
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Temporary banner on products covered by the UKCA marking made permanent and incorporated as part of official guidance, hyperlinks added to product areas covered by the UKCA marking and UKCA labelling easement.
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Webinars section removed.
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Links added for how to use the CE marking and unfettered access. Table updated to include placing goods on European market. Section removed on when the UKCA marking comes into use. Guidance on ‘accompanying documents’ has been updated to explain manufacturer's responsibilities.
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Updated the 'call to action' banner before the main body of text, to list the sectors the CE marking will continue to apply to. This is because the UK government intends to continue to recognise the CE marking across England, Wales and Scotland, indefinitely, beyond December 2024.
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The deadline for when businesses need to use the UKCA mark has been extended. You can continue to use the CE marking and reversed epsilon marking on the GB market until 31 December 2024.
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Guidance restructured for clarity.
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The government will introduce legislation so that the UKCA marking can be placed on a label affixed to the product or on a document accompanying the product until 31 December 2025.
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You can continue to use the CE marking for goods placed on the market in Great Britain until 1 January 2023. The UKCA marking must be used for placing goods on the market in Great Britain from 1 January 2023. The UKCA marking can be used now and we encourage businesses to start using the UKCA marking as soon as possible.
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We have added more information on when you can self-declare. We have also updated the ‘Relevant UK and EU legislation’ section to remove inaccurate legislation.
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Added additional instructions regarding the height of the UKCA marking.
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First published.