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Managing Editor, IFSEC Insider

Author Bio ▼

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.
December 14, 2022

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Certification

UK businesses given extended deadline until 2025 to implement UKCA marking

The Government has announced that businesses will be given until 30 June 2025 to apply new product safety marking on construction products.

The current CE mark, used by the EU to affirm a manufacturer’s conformity with European health, safety and environmental protection standards, will be replaced by UKCA marking as a result of the UK’s exit from the European Union.

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.

Early in 2021, IFSEC Global reported on the ongoing concerns and how it was likely to impact the fire and security markets, particularly to avoid “last minute scrambles” for UKCA Certification.

Despite the extension, many have continued to push for additional time – something that has now been awarded by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

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.

This means that CE marking will continue to be recognised for two years, allowing businesses until 31 December 2024 to prepare for UKCA marking.

Construction products receive additional extension – 30 June 2025

In addition to this, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) announced on 9 December that construction products used in the GB market (England, Wales and Scotland), will have an extension until 30 June 2025. This will likely affect the majority of products in the fire safety sector.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The government is determined to remove barriers to businesses so they can get on with their top priorities, like providing quality customer service, enabling growth and supporting their staff.

“This move will give businesses the breathing space and flexibility they need at this crucial time and ensure that our future system for product safety marking is fit for purpose, providing the highest standard for consumers without harming businesses.”

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.”

 

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Elvin Jones
Elvin Jones
December 16, 2022 11:51 pm

This article has been referenced in Chris Grey’s ‘Brexit and Beyond’ blog.https://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2022/12/post-brexit-britain-country-broken-by.html

It would be interesting to know if the industry believes that the UKCA mark will ever be implemented, and whether the industry is irritated about having to sink costs into something that has a good chance of being abandoned.