This summer, the government has made changes to the regulations around marking and labels demonstrating a product meets conformity assessment criteria. Here's a guide to the key things you need to know.
What is changing with regard to safety markings?
Following Brexit, the regulations around safety markings on PPE and other items have now been updated. The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking came into force on 1 January 2021 and after 31 December 2022 only products with UKCA marking will be accepted in Great Britain.
The UKCA mark is a mandatory mark on certain products to indicate that they conform to legislation around safety and compliance.
What will change when it comes to PPE and safety markings?
When it comes to PPE safety standards, the requirements between UKCA and CE marking remain the same for the time being.
This means all PPE products will continue to meet Personal Protective Equipment Regulations, as amended by the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.
The UKCA regulations will follow the same modules (e.g. B, C2 and D) and categorizations as per the PPE Regulations. There is a specific list of ‘Designated Standards’ which will show a presumption of conformity for UKCA marking and these can be found here
What do I need to know to make sure I am using PPE that has the correct safety markings?
The government has now announced a range of changes in an effort to make it simpler for businesses to apply new product conformity markings for most products placed on the market in England, Scotland and Wales.
Businesses have until 1 January 2023 to start using the UKCA mark which replaces the CE and reverse epsilon markings now that we have left the European Union.
Importantly, from 1st January 2023, all PPE products you purchase should carry the UKCA safety markings.
To help businesses and suppliers to make this switch, the government has brought in the following measures to help make the transition easier.
Re-testing won’t be necessary for goods tested or imported during 2022. Any conformity assessment activities undertaken by EU bodies on products before the end of 2022 will be considered as the basis for UKCA marking from 2023. Legislation will enable manufacturers to apply the UKCA mark on these products without the need for re-testing. In addition, CE-marked products that are imported into the UK by the end of 2022 can be sold, without the need to meet UKCA requirements. This will remove the current need for retesting and recertification for products that are imported whilst the UK recognised CE requirements. Extending easier labelling measures Products will need to bear the new UKCA markings, however, there will be an extension to extend current labelling easements to allow important information and other UKCA markings to be added using a sticky label or an accompanying document.
Spare parts can still be accepted The UK will continue to accept spares that comply with the same requirements that were in place at the time the original products were placed on the market.
As always our sales team are well informed and happy to offer advice. Contact us at sales@cisafety.com or call us on 01726 74264