The UK Government recently announced its intention to extend indefinitely the recognition of the CE Marking for placing most goods on the market in Great Britain. These updates will apply to 18 regulations that fall under the Department for Business and Trade. These are:
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.
Commenting on the announcement that the CE safety mark can be used indefinitely in the UK, Susana Córdoba, Head of International Trade at Greater Manchester Chamber said: "We are very pleased to hear this announcement which will certainly provide traders with relief from the additional unnecessary burden."
Indefinite Retention Of CE Mark A Welcome Boost For Business
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“Businesses will breathe a sigh of relief that the Government has decided to take a pragmatic approach to the safety marking of products sold in Great Britain.
“With inflation still high and interest rates continuing to rise, this announcement will bring some welcome respite. There would be significant costs involved in removing the usage of the CE mark, even for just the UK internal market.
“BCC research carried out in 2021 found that only 8% of business were in favour of getting rid of the current EU marking system, called CE, by the start of 2023, and 59% of businesses, affected by the decision, wanted to keep it.
“They saw strong benefits in retaining the most recognised system for testing and marking of industrial and electrical goods for business. Having to use two marking systems, one for in the UK and one for the EU market, would have also led to limited choice for customers if firms decided not to do both.
“This outcome means businesses will be able to decide which system to use, or both. This will also help businesses in Northern Ireland and Great Britain in terms of the operation of the Windsor Framework.
“The BCC strongly made the case for continued use of CE marking to Government for more than two years. It is a relief to see the strong voice of businesses across the UK being acted upon.
“Now we must develop processes for regulatory co-operation between the EU and UK, so that businesses can avoid any unnecessary cliff-edges on the introduction of future regulations affecting UK-EU trade in goods.”
Need help with CE Marking queries?
Contact our expert trade team at exportbritain@gmchamber.co.uk or call at 0161 393 4314.
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