UK Issues Guidance on Placing UKCA, CE or UKNI Marked Products on the Markets in Great Britain and North Ireland

2026-04-29

On 31 March 2026, the UK Department For Business And Trade (DBT) has published the following two updated guidance documents on

Placing UKCA or CE marked products on the market in Great Britain (last updated: 7 April 2026).
Placing CE, or CE and UKNI marked products on the market in Northern Ireland (last updated: 8 April 2006).

These two guidance documents are clarifying how products bearing UKCA, CE, and UKNI markings can be placed on the markets in Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI). These updates confirm continued flexibility for businesses, while reinforcing the distinct regulatory requirements that now apply across the UK.

Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

Accepted markings

UKCA marking – the UK's conformity marking.
CE marking – continues to be accepted for most regulated products.
Dual‑marking (CE + UKCA) – allowed, as long as it complies with relevant requirements, and the markings can be clearly seen. This is a common practice for manufacturers who want to cover both EU and GB markets with a single label.

Key points

Products that meet EU requirements and are CE marked can still be placed on the GB market.
Manufacturers may choose to use UKCA instead of CE, but it is not mandatory for most product categories (i.e. besides some specific product groups such as construction products and medical devices).
Exceptions to be aware of: the indefinite CE recognition does not apply to certain sectors, including: Medical devices, Construction products, Marine equipment, etc. These sectors shall still need their own UKCA marking and requirements.

Required documentation

Technical file

o Test reports.

o Design documents.

o Risk assessments.

o Any other information as set out in product regulations by sector.

Declaration of conformity (DoC)

o Example template.

Designated standards

In GB, designated standards are standards which have been recognized by the UK government to give a statutory presumption of conformity that a product meets the relevant essential requirements. These technical specifications are developed by recognized standardization bodies such as the British Standards Institution (BSI).

Harmonised standards and Fast-Track UKCA

Businesses are allowed to mark their product with a UKCA marking where recognised EU requirements and conformity assessment processes have been met. This is known as ‘Fast-Track UKCA’. 

Conformity assessment

Self declaration of conformity: All toy products can be self-declared, except where designated standards covering the essential requirements either do not exist or have not been applied (either in full or in part) by the manufacturer. Or where one or more of the designated standards have been published with a restriction.

Where conformity assessment is required:

o It may be carried out by UK Approved Bodies (for UKCA), or

o EU Notified Bodies (for CE), depending on the route chosen.

Northern Ireland

Accepted markings

CE marking – mandatory for placing products on the NI market.
CE + UKNI marking – required when conformity assessment is carried out by a UK Approved Body ("UKNI" stands for "UK Northern Ireland Conformity Assessed").

Key points

The UKNI marking is never used on its own in Northern Ireland (NI). It is always accompanied with the CE marking.
Products with CE or CE + UKNI marking can move freely within NI.

Harmonized standards

Harmonized standards are standards that have been developed to give a statutory presumption of conformity with product regulations. These technical specifications are developed by a recognized European Standards Organisation such as the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

Combinations of Markings and their Acceptance