The government has
published the design for the UK marking for certain products to be sold in the
UK, which would replace the CE marking in the event the UK leaves the EU
without a deal.
The CE marking is
placed on specific products including toys, machinery and electrical equipment
to show that they are compliant with the relevant EU regulatory requirements.
In most cases the CE marking can be applied to products tested by the manufacturer.
For some products,
there is a legal requirement for the product to be assessed by a third-party
assessment body (usually a ‘Notified Body’) to confirm they meet relevant
regulatory requirements.
In a ‘no-deal’
scenario, the EU will stop recognising the competency of UK-based Notified
Bodies to assess products for the EU market. Therefore, manufacturers using
UK-based Notified Bodies to assess products against the requirements of EU law
will no longer be able to apply the CE marking.
The government
intends to reclassify UK Notified Bodies as UK Approved Bodies. These bodies
will be eligible to assess products against relevant UK requirements and issue
the UK marking to compliant products.
In most cases,
manufacturers would not need to use the UK marking immediately in the event of
the UK exiting the EU without a deal. Manufacturers will be able, for a period
of time, to continue to use the CE marking when placing their products on the
UK market if their product meets the relevant EU requirements. This would
include products that have had any necessary third-party assessment carried out
by an EU-recognised body. The government would consult businesses before taking
a decision on when this period would end.
Products being
exported to the EU which currently require the CE marking will continue to
require the CE marking to demonstrate compliance with the relevant EU
regulatory requirements.
Delivering a deal
with the EU remains the government’s top priority. The government is
accelerating no-deal preparations to ensure the country is prepared for every
eventuality, as it is the responsible thing to do and will continue to publish
guidance to business and citizens to ensure they can make informed
preparations.
