IFSEC Insider is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.
James Moore is the Managing Editor of IFSEC Insider, the leading online publication for security and fire news in the industry.
James writes, commissions, edits and produces content for IFSEC Insider, including articles, breaking news stories and exclusive industry reports. He liaises and speaks with leading industry figures, vendors and associations to ensure security and fire professionals remain abreast of all the latest developments in the sector.
In an update to the ongoing developments on UKCA marking, construction products are not included in the Government’s Department for Business and Trade indefinite extension period for the use of CE marking announced today (1 August 2023).
This means that construction products, which fall under the remit of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, will continue to face a deadline of 30 June 2025, after which CE marking will not be recognised and UKCA marking will be required.
Background to the CE-UKCA marking deadlines and extensions
The current CE mark, used by the EU to affirm a manufacturer’s conformity with European health, safety and environmental protection standards, has been set to be replaced by UKCA marking as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union (Brexit).
It was originally set to apply to all goods and businesses by the end of 2022, but in August last year, the Government agreed an extra year’s transition period to meet their legal obligations, giving them until 1 January 2023 to ensure the UKCA mark is applied to their products. The move came after business groups, including the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA), had highlighted significant challenges for UK businesses to meet the original target.
Despite the extension, many continued to push for additional time – something that was awarded by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in December 2022, where 31 December 2024 was outlined as the deadline.
The department cited “difficult economic conditions created by post-pandemic shifts in demand and supply, alongside Putin’s war in Ukraine and the associated high energy prices”, as the reasoning for extending the deadline.
Now, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) – the new name for the department covering BEIS’ previous responsibilities – has announced an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking.
However, this announcement only applies to the 18 sectors that fall under DPT’s remit – construction products are not included.
Construction products deadline remains – 30 June 2025
This will likely affect the majority of products in the fire safety sector.
Responding to a request from IFSEC Insider for further information as to why construction products have not been included in the extension, a DLUHC spokesperson said:
“This announcement applies only to the 18 sectors that fall under DBT. It does not apply to construction products.
“We have previously stated that recognition of the CE mark for construction products in Great Britain will continue until 30th June 2025.
“We are committed to ensuring the testing regime for construction products is effective and inspires public and market confidence. We will set out our proposals for reform of the construction products regime in due course.”
Speaking a week after the extension was given in December 2022, Ian Moore, Chief Executive Officer of the FIA, commented:
“Last week’s Government announcement on the two-and-a-half-year extension is welcome news to our industry colleagues both here in the UK and across Europe. Although many of our fire detection and alarm manufacturing members are already on their way to, or have already achieved the requirements of the legislation, this extension will ease the pressure on those businesses who have yet to complete their legal obligations.
“Businesses were originally required to meet their legal obligations on product marking by the end of 2021, but after successful lobbying by the FIA, a one-year extension for construction products was announced in August 2021. Further lobbying meant that on 9 December 2022, the UK Government announced that businesses will have until 30 June 2025 to apply the product safety marking for construction products placed on the market in the UK. I am sure this will be the last extension.”
EBOOK: Lessons from FIREX 2023 – Emerging challenges in fire safety
Read our FREE eBook, which provides a summary of the key debates and presentations that took place at FIREX 2023 in May, alongside additional exclusive content for readers.
Chapters cover new fire safety construction guidance, how to mitigate the risk of lithium-ion battery fires, and evacuation planning. There's also exclusive insight into the resident's view of the building safety crisis, and how the fire safety and sustainability agendas can work together.
Construction products not covered in indefinite extension given to UKCA marking – June 2025 deadline remainsThe Government has announced that businesses will be given until 30 June 2025 to apply new product safety marking on construction products.
James Moore
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
Related Topics
EFSG common application form aims to reduce time-to-market for fire detection products
UL achieves Technical Assessment Body designation for UK and European fire safety product markets
It was originally set to apply to all goods and businesses by the end of 2022, but in August last year, the Government agreed an extra year’s transition period to meet their legal obligations, giving them until 1 January 2023 to ensure the UKCA mark is applied to their products. The move came after business groups, including the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA), had 