What is a CE mark?
In 2011 the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) was established to ensure that the European Construction Products Directive (CPD) was being implemented and all CE marking requirements were being upheld. The aim was to synchronise the safety and performance standards of construction materials across the European Union. This ruling could also apply to products that were manufactured outside of Europe. Since July 2014, all fabricated structural steel has been legally required to bear the CE mark. In the UK, non compliance with CE marking certification was previously a criminal offence.
What does Brexit mean for CE marking?
Following the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016 a new certification mark was created called the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark. This new mark reflects products that are compliant with the requirements for products to be sold in the UK. This meant that the CE certification process is no longer required for fabricated structural steel in Great Britain, but CE certification in Europe is still required meaning products will still require CE mark approval.
When to use the UKCA marking?
You only need to use the UKCA marking before 1 January 2022 if the product you are fabricating structural components for is:
- Intended for the market in Great Britain
- covered by legislation that requires a UKCA mark certification
- requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment
- conformity assessment has been carried out by a UK conformity assessment body
UKCA marking
The one year period before the UKCA mark certification becomes mandatory on products intended for use in the United Kingdom is to allow companies like Code A Weld time to adjust to the new certifications.
UKCA marking will not be required on products intended for use in Northern Ireland, where the CE marking will be continued to be accepted.
A UKCA marking is not necessary for existing products that were created prior to 1 January 2021. These products may still bear the CE labels and can still be sold in Great Britain.
How can Code A Weld help you with UKCA marking?
Code A Weld can work together with you to achieve the accreditation required to CE mark your fabricated structural steel. With over 30 years of experience, we are a one-stop-shop for many of the services you will require in order to comply with the new certification legislation.
We provide a high-quality simple service where you can qualify company welding procedures in accordance with the United Kingdom’s new UKCA marking certification.
So get in touch with us today to see how we can ensure that your welded product is fully compliant with the UKCA certification.
