If you’ve developed an electronic device and plan to market it in the United Kingdom, you may have read about the CE mark and UKCA mark, which are the two compliance marks accepted in the United Kingdom.
After Brexit, the UK introduced its own conformity mark, the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark. This mark is intended to serve as a replacement for the CE marking. However, recently, the United Kingdom has extended recognition of the CE mark for products sold in the UK.
This means that if your device has CE certification, you can legally market it in the UK without applying for a UKCA mark.
Below, we’ve explained the status of the CE mark in the United Kingdom for electronic devices, such as consumer electronics and industrial equipment.
If you manufacture an electronic device and want to test and certify your device for CE marking, UKCA, FCC or other compliance marks, you can contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287 to request a quote or ask our engineers a question.
What is CE Certification?
CE certification, or the CE marking, is a regulatory symbol that indicates that a product meets the relevant standards of the European Union (EU). It stands for Conformité Européenne, the French term for European conformity.
The CE mark applies throughout the European Economic Area (EEA), a shared market which includes the entire European Union, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
By law, electronic devices are required to comply with all European Union directives that apply to their product category. Common EU directives for electronic devices include:
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive. This directive ensures that electronic devices sold in the European Union do not emit and are not affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI).
- Radio Equipment Directive (RED). This directive applies to electronic devices that can emit radio frequency (RF) waves. It sets limits for radio frequency emissions to maintain a safe radio frequency spectrum with minimal interference.
- Low Voltage Directive (LVD). This directive applies to electronic devices marketed in the European Union and sets performance standards to ensure that devices within the affected voltage limits are safe for consumers.
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive. This directive sets limits for the use of hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury and cadmium, for all electronics sold in the European Union.
Our guide to European Union directives provides more information about these regulations, as well as the regulatory compliance process for each directive.
CE Certification and UK Regulations
CE certification is accepted for electronic devices sold in the United Kingdom. If your electronic device has completed lab testing and has a CE marking, it legally satisfies the requirements in the United Kingdom for electromagnetic compatibility and can enter the market.
Currently, CE certification is accepted in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. As of 2024, the UK government has announced that it will continue to recognize the CE marking as a mark of UK regulatory compliance on an indefinite basis.
CE Certification vs. UKCA Certification
|
UKCA Certification |
CE Certification |
FCC Certification |
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Accepted in England, Wales and Scotland only. |
Accepted in the European Economic Area and UK |
Accepted in the United States |
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Subject to several UK standards and regulations |
Subject to several European directives |
Requires compliance with FCC Part 15 |
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Declaration of Conformity |
Declaration of Conformity |
Certification or Declaration of Conformity |
When Will the CE Marking Lose its Status in the UK?
As of 2024, the UK government has indefinitely extended its recognition of the CE mark. This means that the CE marking will continue to be legally equivalent to the UKCA marking for any product subject to relevant regulations in the United Kingdom.
The UK government has not announced any date at which the CE marking will lose its current legal status.
If you plan to market your device in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom, the CE marking remains the only mark that demonstrates compliance in both markets.
Talk to Our Team About CE & UKCA Testing and Certification
As an ANSI-accredited electronics testing laboratory, we’ve helped hundreds of companies get CE, FCC and UKCA certifications for their devices. We specialize in regulatory compliance and can help you secure UK market access via the CE and/or UKCA markings.
To request a free quote for testing and certifying your device, or to ask our engineers a question about CE and/or UKCA compliance, contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.
