Government announces new digital labelling for imports

The government is introducing new legislation to allow for digital labels on imports as part of efforts to reduce red tape for businesses.

Digital labelling will allow businesses to put important regulatory or manufacturing information online rather than having to physically print it on products.

The announcement follows a product safety review consultation which looked at ways to cut costs while benefitting consumers and ensuring the regulatory system is "agile".

Small business minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

"I know first-hand the difficulties businesses face with regulations and red tape, and what we're announcing today will not only ease business burdens and costs but will enable them to spend their time growing their companies and creating jobs.

"We've worked closely with multiple sectors to create policy that works for them and this is another step in the right direction to back British businesses."

Alongside the digital labelling for imported products, ministers also announced that the European Union's CE product safety mark will be recognised indefinitely for a range of additional products including vacuum cleaners and televisions.

This follows confirmation last August that the UK will continue to use the CE mark with an indefinite delay to making UKCA, its post-Brexit replacement, mandatory for businesses.

Business groups complained the change would add extra costs and red tape, particularly for those selling goods in both Britain and the EU who would have been forced to comply with two different systems.

A new 'Fast-Track UKCA' process will also be introduced which will allow manufacturers to use the UKCA marking to demonstrate compliance with either UKCA or recognised EU conformity processes. Where products are covered by multiple regulations, a mixture of both UKCA and CE conformity assessment procedures can be used.

Regulations in scope of the announcement of indefinite recognition of the CE mark are:

Department for Business and Trade regulations:

• Equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres Regulations 2016/1107

• Electromagnetic compatibility Regulations 2016/1091

• Lifts Regulations 2016/1093

• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1101

• Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1105

• Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015/1553

• Recreational Craft Regulations 2017/737

• Radio Equipment Regulations 2017/1206

• Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016/1092

• Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011/1881

• Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009/ 2824

• Gas Appliances (EU Regulation) 2016/426

• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008/1597

• Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001/1701

• Personal Protective Equipment (EU Regulation) 2016/425

• Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016/1153

• Non-automatic weighing instruments Regulations 2016/1152

• Measuring Container Bottles (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1977

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regulation:

• The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 ('The RoHS Regulations')

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero regulation:

• The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010

Department for Work and Pensions [The Health and Safety Executive] regulation:

• The Explosives Regulations 2014

Relevant resources

• Enterprise Nation Go Global international trade hub

• Trading overseas in 2023: What small businesses need to know

• Government guidance for CE marking