New extension for CE Marked Construction Products
Following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31st December 2020, the UK Government announced a one-year transition for CE marked construction products to be placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Once this period was over, goods which were CE marked would need to have a UKCA mark, and where necessary, approvals from a UK Approved Body. In August 2021 this was extended by a year, with the deadline set to the end of 2022.
CE marking extension December 2022 for Construction Products
The UK government have just announced a further 2.5-year extension for the transition of CE to UKCA marking. The intention is to end the recognition of CE marking on 30th June 2025. The updated guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/construction-products-regulation-in-great-britain
Placing construction products on the GB market
CE-marked construction products can be placed on the GB market until 30th June 2025. The products must be properly CE marked, with valid EU notified body CE certification or an EU notified laboratory initial type test, and supplied with a EU Declaration of Performance. Once placed on the GB market, CE-marked construction products can continue to circulate (known as ‘making available’) after 30th June 2025.
From 1st July 2025, all construction products placed on the GB market must be UKCA marked, with an approval from a UK approved body where necessary.
UKCA marking System 3 products with an EU initial type test
In June 2022 a new ‘easement’ was announced by the UK Government, to allow System 3 construction products to be UKCA marked with a valid EU notified laboratory test report (Initial Type Test) issued before 31st December 2022.
The new UK Government guidance does not mention this easement. The UK Government department responsible for Construction Products legislation, The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), have confirmed that the easement will not be introduced. System 3 products with an EU notified laboratory test report must be CE marked.
What effect does this have on Certification and Auditing?
Shirley Technologies Limited, trading as BTTG®, became UK Approved Body number 0338 on 1st January 2021. BTTG® can offer UKCA approval for the UK Construction Products Regulations.
Through our sister company, Shirley® (Europe) who are EU notified body number 2895, we can also offer CE marking to the Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011.
Where construction product FPC visits are required, our auditors can cover both CE and UKCA requirements during one audit, meaning our clients can use both marks. BTTG® is also cooperating with other EU notified bodies for UKCA approval of CE marked products, including the use of EU notified body auditors for construction products FPC audits.
Placing product on the market in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has different rules to Great Britain (the mainland UK). From 1st January 2021, products can be placed on the Northern Ireland market with either the CE mark, using CE certification held by an EU notified body, or with CE+UKNI marking using certification from a UK Notified Body. The UK Government guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/construction-products-regulation-in-northern-ireland
If you have any questions regarding UKCA marking, please contact our UK certification team at certification@bttg.co.uk / +44 (0) 161 876 4211