Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών
Β6 Διεύθυνση Πολυμερών Οικονομικών Σχέσεων
και Εμπορικής Πολιτικής
Ζαλοκώστα 10, Αθήνα 10671
Τηλ. 21036824041
E-mail: db6@mfa.gr

Dear MAAC members and participants,

The UK Mission to the European Union has informed DG Trade about technical amendments to the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) regime that have been introducedearlier this week. The changes have been put in place to further assist the business community to adapt to the introduction of UKCA. This does not change the core requirements or deadlines - the regime will still come into effect on 1^st Jan 2023 for the majority of goods.

A total of four changes have been introduced. The UK communicated to:

·       reduce re-testing costs for UKCA certification, by allowing conformity assessment activities for CE marking completed by the 31 December 2022 to be used by manufacturers as the basis for applying a UKCA marking. This will reduce the immediate costs faced by manufacturers and will be valid until the expiry of their certificate or for 5 years (31 December 2027), whichever is sooner. This will reduce duplication and costs for businesses and by extension, consumers. 

·       make clear there is no need to re-test existing imported stock, as these products will be considered already placed on the market In Great Britain (GB). This will prevent the costly, and unnecessary re-labelling of existing stock for businesses. 

·       make clear that spare parts that repair, replace or maintain goods already on the GB market can meet the same requirements that were in place at the time the original product or system was placed on the GB market. This will allow products and goods requiring spare parts to continue to be maintained. 

·       will continue to allow businesses to affix the UKCA marking, and to include importer information for products from EEA countries (and in some cases Switzerland), on an accompanying document or label until 31 December 2025. This will allow business to adjust their product design to accommodate marking changes at a convenient and cost-effective time.

Note that these changes do not apply to medical devices, construction products, transportable pressure equipment, cableways, unmanned aircraft systems, rail products and marine equipment. Departments responsible for these sectors are making sector specific arrangements.

A link to the announcement can be found here and this was accompanied by a Written Ministerial Statement laid by BEIS Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets Paul Scully. Additionally, the UKCA pages of gov.uk have been updated to reflect these changes: Using the UKCA marking and Placing manufactured goods on the market in GB.

The UK department in charge will hold a webinar specifically for businesses regarding these measures on June 29, 2022. There will be two sessions on the day: 11.00 am (here) and 3.00pm (here). The training is intended to help businesses understand the changes and is also an opportunity for you to ask us questions.  

Kind regards,

Trade F1 Sec

Administrative assistant to the Unit

European Commission
DG TRADE F1
Single entry point for enforcement, Market access and SMEs

CHAR 05/67
B-1049 Brussels/Belgium