Important Update: Following recent changes in the UK government's policy regarding the UKCA mark, the transition period for the implementation of the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark has been adjusted. The UK government has decided to extend the recognition of the CE marking for most goods in the Great Britain market indefinitely beyond 31 December 2024. This means that manufacturers can now choose to use either the CE marking or the UKCA marking for products they supply to Great Britain.

UKCA mark

UKCA Marking

Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, a new certification mark has been introduced to replace the CE mark for products sold in Great Britain. The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark indicates that a product conforms to UK legislation and is mandatory for all mains-powered electrical equipment sold in the UK. The scope of products covered and the conformity assessment and technical requirements are generally the same as for CE marking. The UKCA marking regulations came into effect on the 1st January 2021, however in most cases, the CE marking can still be used until the 1st January 2022. After this date products that require certification must have the UKCA marking, however there is a further transition period up to the 1st January 2023 where the UKCA marking can be on a label attached to the product, or on accompanying documentation. Following the 1st January 2023, the UKCA marking must be permanently attached to the product.

  • 1 January 2021 - UKCA marking came into effect, but CE marking can still be used
  • 1 January 2022 - UKCA marking must be used, but this can be on a label, or in the product documentation
  • 1 January 2023 - UKCA marking must be permanently attached

Rules for using the UKCA mark

  • The letters forming the UKCA marking must be in proportion to the version shown above
  • The UKCA marking is at least 5mm in height – unless a different minimum dimension is specified in the relevant legislation
  • The UKCA marking is easily visible, legible (from 1 January 2023 it must be permanently attached)

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

UKCA marking only applies in Great Britain. In Northern Ireland, products that require certification, must still use the CE marking. For products that require conformity assessment by a notified body, they must also display an additional UKNI mark if the assessment was made by a UK conformity assessment body. Products with the UKNI mark can not be exported to the EU as they must have undergone a conformity assessment by an EU notified body.

UKCA mark

Products placed on the market in Great Britain, that require certification, must have the UKCA marking.


CE mark

Products placed on the market in Northern Ireland, that require self certification, must have the CE marking.


CE mark
UKNI mark

Products placed on the market in Northern Ireland, that require conformity assessment by a notified body, must have the CE and UKNI markings where a UK body has carried out the assessment. The UKNI marking can not be used on products placed on the market in the EU.


Further information

Information on using the UKCA marking can be found on the gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking