Introduced Post-Brexit, the plans for the UK’s own regulatory framework for goods means that manufacturers that have, or intend to place, products into the UK market will need to demonstrate that they have UK Conformity Assessment (UKCA) marking instead of a CE Marking.
Logistical issues, such as insufficient testing facilities, have contributed to delays in the introduction of the UKCA marking scheme and, in November, the government announced a further extension to the deadline for when businesses need to use it. Importantly, this announcement did not include construction products causing concern in the industry that the prevailing deadline of 31st December 2022 might remain for the sector.
UK Government December Update
On 9th December, the UK Government’s Construction Products Regulation in Great Britain information was amended with the following statement:
“Updated to reflect the government will continue to recognise the CE mark on construction products for another 2.5 years, to allow businesses until 30 June 2025 to prepare for the UK mark.”
The Construction Products Association had been calling on the Government to extend the deadline and in its statement on 15th November Peter Caplehorn, CPA Chief Executive, said, “... The status quo is not certain, and for construction product manufacturers and the wider construction industry to prepare for any impending policy changes, the government must expedite its decision on this critical issue for our sector. The year-end is fast approaching, and Parliament will recess on 21 December, leaving very little time for government to enact the necessary legislation to make the policy and its deadline a reality. It also leaves the industry to face the increasingly difficult process through next year to re-test and re-certify new products where few or no UK facilities exist to achieve this.
“With the longer term in mind, we must also ask government ministers to re-consider the usefulness of the CA Mark policy, and whether a more reasonable, practical solution exists to help achieve the right aims but avoid further and unnecessary loss of time, money and resources. This continues to have a significant impact on investment, innovation, and growth of the sector.”
For more information on UKCA marking, click here.
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