UK Government announces their intention to extend the use of the CE mark indefinitely for businesses

The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced that they intend to indefinitely extend the use of CE marking for businesses. The indefinite extension applies to 18 regulations owned by the DBT.

The extension provides businesses with flexibility and allows manufacturers to continue to use either the UKCA or CE approach to sell products in Great Britain beyond December 2024.  

This announcement is part of a more comprehensive package of smarter regulations that are planned to ease business burdens and help grow the economy by cutting barriers and red tape. Following a period of engagement with industry, it was concluded that British firms can continue using CE marking alongside UKCA.

The UKCA was previously set to take effect in December 2024, which posed significant challenges to some machinery and medical equipment manufacturers. Today’s announcement will ensure businesses no longer face uncertainty over the regulations and timeline and allow manufacturers to focus their time and resources on product innovation and growth and reduce unnecessary costs.

The indefinite extension applies to the following 18 regulation areas:

• toys
• pyrotechnics
• recreational craft and personal watercraft
• simple pressure vessels
• electromagnetic compatibility
• non-automatic weighing instruments
• measuring instruments
• measuring container bottles
• lifts
• equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
• radio equipment
• pressure equipment
• personal protective equipment (PPE)
• gas appliances
• machinery
• equipment for use outdoors
• aerosols
• low voltage electrical equipment

There are different rules for medical devices, construction products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment, unmanned aircraft systems, rail products, marine equipment, and ecodesign. The relevant departments covering these sectors either have communicated or will communicate plans in due course.

Where UK rules differ from the EU in terms of radio products, for example, 6 GHz radios subject to IR2030, a UK Radio Equipment Regulation type examination certification applies.

Draft legislation is expected to be published in the next few months and then progressed through the UK parliament.