Businesses should act now to comply with regulations on manufactured goods placed on the GB, NI and EU markets from 1 January 2021.
In order to place CE marked goods on the GB market until 1 January 2022, your EU Declaration of Conformity should be updated to reference UK regulations and standards.
To clarify, if you self-certify or use an EU Notified Body, you can still use the CE marking until 1 January 2022 for most goods placed on the GB market and you can continue to use an EU Declaration of Conformity.
However, you are encouraged to be ready to use the UKCA marking as soon as possible before 1 January 2022. The CE marking will only be valid in GB 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 GB even before 31 December 2021.
From 1 January 2022, there will be a separate UK conformity testing body unless the negotiations agree that an EU testing body can conduct the conformity test.
Existing stock doesn’t need to be remarked until 1 January 2022 – check the guidance for details.
If you use the UKCA marking, you will need a UK Declaration of Conformity which should include reference to UK regulations and standards.
Different rules exist for some sectors, such as for medical devices. You can find more details through our guidance here:
For guidance on using the UKCA mark: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-mark-from-1-january-2021
For guidance on placing goods on the GB market visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain-from-1-january-2021
For guidance on placing goods on the EU market visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-eu-market-from-1-january-2021
For guidance on placing goods on the market in Northern Ireland or to goods moving between NI and GB, please find the relevant guidance here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moving-goods-under-the-northern-ireland-protocol
The guidance is being regularly updated on the government’s website on moving goods between NI and GB, so please check often.