A Big Win for Manufacturers as UK Government Greenlights CE Marking Extension for Industries
In a landmark move for UK industries, the Government has announced an indefinite CE marking extension. This decision will stand to significantly reduce bureaucratic hurdles and associated costs for companies looking to introduce their products to the market.
Read on – discover what this means for manufacturers.
Department for Business & Trade Unlocks Indefinite CE Mark Recognition
After two and a half years of intense lobbying by industry leaders, the Department for Business and Trade has finally decided to prolonged use of CE marking for businesses in the UK, beyond the previously stated deadline in 2024.
This initiative is part of a broader package of smart regulations designed to ease the bureaucratic load on businesses and stimulate economic growth by eradicating barriers and cutting red tape.
Following extensive consultations with industry, the government has confirmed that UK companies can continue to employ CE marking in tandem with the UKCA marking system.
CE Marking Extension: A Strategic Move to Avoid Regulatory Uncertainty
With the previous deadline for UKCA marking looming in December 2024, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) moved to intervene to end uncertainty and unnecessary costs for thousands of companies.
This timely intervention now gives businesses a better opportunity to refocus their resources towards innovation and growth instead.
Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake vocalised the government’s commitment to easing regulatory burdens, establishing certainty for firms, and driving economic growth. With the decision to prolong the use of CE marking across the UK, Mr Hollinrake said, businesses can now redirect their time and finances towards generating jobs and stimulating economic growth.
ByteSnap welcomes the CE Marking Extension
Graeme Wintle, Director of ByteSnap Design, said: “This is good news about the extended use of CE marking. I’m glad the Government has listened to industry on this issue, understanding the twists and turns we face in business and simplifying those substantial regulatory processes.
“Having the choice to opt for UKCA or CE marking is key as it’s all about flexibility in the fast-paced world of electronics product design. This kind of adaptability makes life simpler for design consultancies like ByteSnap who help clients with their product certifications and ease some of the demands of compliance.
”All in all, this decision is spot on. It’s going to make the UK even more of a hot spot for investment and keep us ahead of the game in the global market. It’s a big win for our clients, and for innovators and manufacturers – to whom we’re committed to helping crack the compliance code for new electronics products designs.”
More Industry Reactions
The decision to extend the use of CE marking has been well received so far by from industry leaders. Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), lauded the government’s move, noting that it would give small firms adequate time to adapt to the UKCA marking system, thus promoting business growth locally and abroad.
Similarly, Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, hailed the decision as a pragmatic and sensible move, asserting that it would contribute towards improving the competitiveness of manufacturers and positioning the UK as an attractive destination for investment.
What the CE Extension means for Electronics Product Designers and Manufacturers
The extended use of the CE marking will have a significant impact on electronics product designers and manufacturers in the UK, providing them with a level of flexibility that was previously absent.
Firstly, this move will offer electronics product designers and manufacturers more time to adapt to the UKCA marking system. Transitioning to a new marking system is often a complex and time-consuming process, involving extensive testing and paperwork. By allowing an indefinite extension of the CE marking, businesses can pace their transition process to suit their operational capacities, thus avoiding unnecessary strains on resources.
The extension also grants designers and manufacturers the choice to use either the UKCA or CE marking for selling their products within Great Britain. This dual marking system is a boon for businesses with an international customer base.
Products bearing the CE mark are recognised across the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the 27 EU member states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. This means that UK manufacturers can continue to sell their products seamlessly across these markets without needing to obtain an additional certification.
In addition, the extended use of CE marking could result in cost savings for the industry. Manufacturers often face considerable costs in achieving compliance with product certification standards. The CE marking extension may help to reduce these costs, as manufacturers won’t need to duplicate testing and certification processes for both UKCA and CE marks in the immediate future.
Ultimately, the CE marking extension promises a reduction in regulatory burdens, an increase in operational flexibility, and potential cost savings for electronics product designers and manufacturers. These benefits combined are likely to foster a more conducive environment for innovation and growth within the UK electronics industry.
CE Marking Extension FAQs
1. What is the recent change regarding CE marking for UK businesses?
The UK Government has announced an indefinite extension for the use of CE marking for UK businesses. This means that UK companies can continue to use CE marking alongside the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking system.
2. What prompted this decision to extend the use of CE marking?
The move followed over two years of lobbying by UK industry leaders, concerned at the extra time and cost burdens being created with the planned switchover to UKCA in 2024. For its part, the government says the extension is part of its drive to implement smarter regulations to cut business costs, and reduce the time needed to place products on the market. The government confirms the aim is to ease business burdens and stimulate economic growth.
3. How will this impact the uncertainty over regulations for UK businesses?
The decision to indefinitely extend the use of CE marking has removed the regulatory uncertainty that businesses were facing due to the previously set deadline for UKCA marking in December 2024. This enables businesses to focus on growth and innovation without having to worry about abrupt regulatory changes.
4. What does the extension of CE marking mean for electronics product designers and manufacturers?
The extended use of CE marking allows for a smoother transition to the UKCA marking system, provides the option to use either the UKCA or CE marking to sell products within Great Britain, and can result in cost savings due to reduced need for duplicate testing and certification processes. This will likely foster a more conducive environment for innovation and growth within the UK electronics industry.
A note of caution, however: concern is already being voiced that the newly announced extension does not apply to the construction products.
5. So, if I have an electronic product I want to sell in the UK next year which needs to pass compliance, what regulation should I use for compliance?
For electronic products that you intend to sell in the UK next year, you will have the flexibility to use either the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) or CE marking for compliance. This is following the recent indefinite extension for the use of CE marking by UK businesses.
The UKCA marking is a UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). It covers most goods which previously required the CE marking. However, due to the recent extension, products that have undergone conformity assessment under the CE marking can still be sold in the UK.
Therefore, while the UKCA marking is recommended for goods sold within Great Britain, the extended recognition of CE marking provides you the option to choose between the two for compliance, based on your business needs and target markets. However, please keep in mind that it’s crucial to stay up-to-date with any future regulatory changes from the UK Government.
For further assistance or advice on product compliance and certification, consider consulting with industry experts, such as the engineering consultants at ByteSnap Design, or a regulatory body.
