UKCA marking
The UKCA Mark has officially replaced the CE Mark in the UK. The CE mark will still be accepted until 31 Dicembre 2024. After this date only UKCA branded products will be allowed to be marketed in the UK.
Sicom Testing performs all the technical tests and prepares the documentation for the UKCA certification of different types of products, among which:
- radio transmitters and receivers (radio controls, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, short range devices SRD and others)
- domestic appliances
- systems for automation and control
- measuring instruments
- components for home automation and entertainment
- electrified furniture
- Other electrical equipment, electronics and radios
How to obtain the UKCA label
For manufacturers, the procedure for obtaining the UKCA mark is divided into the following steps:
- Determination of UK standards applicable to the product
- Performing product conformity checks through testing and other technical activities to ascertain compliance with applicable standards.
- Creation of the technical file in compliance with the requirements of 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 indicating the conformity of the product to all legal requirements.
- UKCA marking of the product that must be visible, leggibile e indelebile
In case the product is already equipped with an EU technical file, the necessary tests could be reduced even significantly. The available documentation is first analysed to determine whether all UKCA requirements have been verified or whether there are tests to be carried out.. Once any additional tests have been carried out, you can proceed with the preparation of the UKCA technical file, the UKCA declaration of conformity and product marking.
Obligations of the importer
An importer is one who is responsible for importing goods into the United Kingdom from outside the United Kingdom and for placing them on the market for the first time..
As importer, You will need to make sure that:
- the goods are labelled with company details, which must be affixed to the product, or, in cases where the legislation allows it, sulla confezione o su un documento di accompagnamento;
- the correct conformity assessment procedures have been carried out and the goods have the correct conformity markings;
- the manufacturer has drawn up the correct technical documentation and has complied with his labelling requirements;
- a copy of the declaration of conformity is kept for a period of 10 years so that it can be made available to market surveillance authorities;
- the goods comply with the relevant essential requirements.
- The responsibilities of the importer therefore lead him to verify that the manufacturer has put in place everything necessary to ensure the conformity of the product, obtaining evidence of these activities.
Obligations of the distributor
The distributor is a person, other than the manufacturer, importer or end-user, that 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 perform importer duties, The distributor will remain so and will have no further responsibilities.
Different is the case in which the distributor becomes an importer for which the above rules will apply
The distributor must ensure that the product is UKCA marked and accompanied by the necessary documentation, in particular from the instructions; In addition, it must be ensured that, during storage and transport, the product and its documentation are not damaged in such a way as to compromise its compliance with the requirements of applicable regulations.
Reference standards
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 labelling regulation (I) 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