UKCA marking
The UKCA mark has officially replaced the CE mark in the UK. The CE mark will still be accepted until 31 December 2024. After this date only UKCA marked products will be able to be marketed in the UK.
Sicom Testing carries out all the technical tests and prepares the documentation for the UKCA certification of different types of products, including:
- transmitting and receiving radios (radio controls, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, short-range SRD devices and others)
- home appliances
- automation and control systems
- measurement tools
- components for home automation and entertainment
- electrified furnishings
- other electrical, electronic and radio equipment
How to obtain the UKCA mark
For manufacturers, the procedure to obtain the UKCA mark is divided into the following phases:
- Determination of the UK standards applicable to the product
- Carrying out product conformity checks through testing and other technical activities to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
- Creation of the technical file compliant with the requirements dictated by the UKCA regulations, which includes all the documentation necessary to identify the product and certify its compliance with the requirements of the applicable standards.
- Drafting of the UKCA Declaration of Conformity which indicates the conformity of the product with all legal requirements.
- UKCA marking of the product which must be visible, legible and indelible
If the product is already equipped with an EU technical file, the necessary tests could be significantly reduced. We first proceed with the analysis of the available documentation in order to determine whether all the UKCA requirements have been verified or whether there are any tests to be carried out. Once any additional tests have been carried out, we can proceed with the preparation of the UKCA technical file, the UKCA declaration of conformity and the marking of the product.
Importer's obligations
An importer is someone who is responsible for importing goods into the UK from outside the UK and placing them on the market for the first time.
As an importer, you will need to ensure that:
- the goods are labeled with the company details, which must be affixed to the product or, in cases where the law allows it, on the packaging or on an accompanying document;
- the correct conformity assessment procedures have been carried out and that the goods have the correct conformity markings;
- the manufacturer has drawn up the correct technical documentation and has complied with its labeling requirements;
- a copy of the declaration of conformity is kept for a period of 10 years so that it can be made available to the authorities responsible for market control;
- the goods comply with the relevant essential requirements.
- the importer's responsibilities therefore lead him to have to verify that the manufacturer has implemented everything necessary to ensure the conformity of the product, having evidence of these activities provided.
Distributor obligations
The distributor is a person, other than the manufacturer, importer or end user, who makes the goods available on the market.
If someone has already placed a good on the UK market or the manufacturer has appointed another person based in the UK to carry out importer duties, the distributor will remain as such and will have no further responsibilities.
The case is different in which the distributor transforms into an importer for which the rules set out above will apply
The distributor must ensure that the product is UKCA marked and accompanied by the necessary documentation, in particular instructions; furthermore, it must be ensured that, during storage and transport, the product and its documentation are not damaged in such a way as to compromise compliance with the requirements of the applicable regulations.
Reference regulations
The main reference standards applied by Sicom Testing for the UKCA certification of products are:
- Radio Equipment Regulations 2017
- Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016
- Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
- General Product Safety Regulations 2005
- Energy labeling regulation (EU) 2017/1369 (as retained in UK law and amendment) and The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012