BUSINESS NEWS

Government announces UK will continue to use EU product safety mark

Government announces UK will continue to use EU product safety mark
Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events

Posted: Tue 1st Aug 2023

The UK will continue to use the European Union's product safety mark after the government announced an indefinite delay to the introduction of its post-Brexit replacement.

Following pressure from manufacturing groups, the Department for Business and Trade said British businesses will be able to use the EU's CE (Conformité Européenne) marking, which ensures products meet safety standards, beyond December 2024 when UKCA was set to come into force.

UKCA was originally due to be introduced for goods sold in Britain on 1 January 2022. It was then extended to 1 January 2023 followed by another delay until the end of next year.

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.

Announcing the indefinite delay to UKCA, small busness minister Kevin Hollinrake said: "by extending CE marking use across the UK, firms can focus their time and money on creating jobs and growing the economy".


The change was welcomed by groups including manufacturing organisation Make UK. Chief executive Stephen Phipson said:

"This is a pragmatic and common sense decision that manufacturers will very much welcome and support. This announcement will help safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturers and aid the UK as a destination for investment.

"It should bring more confidence about doing business in the UK and recognises the need to work with the reality of doing business. Make UK has worked extensively with UK government pushing hard for this decision and we are pleased the ongoing engagement has delivered this positive outcome."


Today's announcement follows several other delays to the introduction of post-Brexit rules.

New customs requirements for goods being exported to the UK from the EU have been postponed four times and then scrapped with the government instead publishing draft proposals for the Border Target Operating Model.

The changes are due to be introduced in stages, starting in October 2023.


Related Enterprise Nation resources

Enterprise Nation Go Global international trade hub

Trading overseas in 2023: What small businesses need to know

Government guidance for CE marking

Dan Martin
Dan MartinDan Martin Content & Events
I'm a freelance journalist and event host who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's news reporter and Bristol Local Leader. I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups. I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's news reporter and as the host of the Small Business sessions podcast. I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region. In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street. With my partner, I co-run Lifestyle District, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

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