After the UK left the EU, the UK government introduced the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking instead of the EU's CE marketing.  The UKCA marking applies in England, Scotland and Wales and confirms that products comply with product safety regulations.  Originally, businesses were required to use the new marketing from the end of this year.  The government has announced a couple of extensions to this deadline.

It has now confirmed that it will continue to recognise the CE marking for another two years, therefore allowing businesses until 31 December 2024 to prepare for the UKCA marking. Businesses can also use the UKCA marking, giving them flexibility to choose which marking to apply.

The government is also introducing measures to reduce the costs of retesting products and labelling. To reduce labelling costs, businesses may affix the UKCA marking and include importer information for products from EEA countries on an accompanying document or label until 31 December 2027. Conformity assessment activities for CE marking undertaken by 31 December 2024 may be used by manufacturers as the basis for the UKCA marking, until 31 December 2027. 

As mentioned above, the government will continue to recognise the CE marking for two years, therefore allowing businesses until 31 December 2024 to prepare for the UKCA marking. Businesses can also use the UKCA marking now, giving them flexibility to choose which marking to apply. 

To extend the deadline, the government has laid secondary legislation before Parliament which, subject to parliamentary approval, will implement these measures.

Under the terms of the Protocol, Northern Ireland will continue to recognise the CE marking for goods placed on the market in Northern Ireland. Businesses will need to use the UKNI marking if they use a UK Conformity Assessment Body to test their products.