UK Conformity (UKCA) Certification

UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) is the conformity mark the United Kingdom introduced for the England, Wales and Scotland market after leaving the EU. The technical requirements largely share the same root as EU legislation; the difference is that the body carrying out conformity assessment must be a UK Approved Body, and the declaration is drawn up with reference to UK legislation.

• Manufacturers placing products on the UK market
• Firms exporting to England and distributing via the EU
• Those operating in product groups requiring notified-body involvement

Mandatory for products within scope for the England, Wales and Scotland (Great Britain) market. Northern Ireland is subject to a separate regime, where the CE or UKNI mark applies. The UK has made arrangements for the indefinite acceptance of the CE mark for many product groups; the current status therefore needs to be confirmed by product group. Where a notified body is required, an EU notified body's certificate is not directly valid for UKCA.

• Determining the UK legislation applied to the Great Britain market
• Applying the relevant designated standards
• Identifying cases requiring UK Approved Body involvement
• Preparing the technical file and making it accessible in the UK
• Drawing up the UK Declaration of Conformity
• Affixing the UKCA mark and marking rules
• Appointing a UK-based responsible person (UK Responsible Person / importer)
• Separately assessing the CE or UKNI regime for Northern Ireland

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• CEEU Product Conformity
• ENECElectrical Product Safety
• GSGermany Product Safety
• S-MarkProduct Safety Mark
• ULNorth America Product Safety
• ETLNorth America Product Safety
• CSACanada Product Safety
• FCCRadio/EMC