The UK government has announced plans to introduce legislation to continue recognition of the CE marking and reversed epsilon marking until 31 December 2024. This will apply to most goods being placed on the market or put into service in Great Britain as part of new ministers’ commitment to reduce burdens for industry.

The government has said it will also continue with the measures on retesting and labelling announced in June. The timescales will be amended to reflect the extension.

The move aims to reduce labelling costs by continuing to allow businesses to affix the UKCA marking, and to include importer information for products from EEA countries (and in some cases, Switzerland) on an accompanying document or a label until 31 December 2027.

It is also intended to reduce re-testing costs for UKCA certification by allowing conformity assessment activities for CE marking undertaken by 31 December 2024 to be used by manufacturers as the basis for UKCA marking, until the expiry of the certificate or until 31 December 2027, whichever is sooner.

These measures are being implemented to provide businesses with more flexibility and reduce regulatory burdens for businesses. The government said it will use the UK’s regulatory autonomy to help businesses navigate the current global economic and supply chain challenges whilst prioritising growth. In parallel, the government said it will also consider how it can reduce costs and burdens associated with the UK regulatory framework in the longer-term, including opportunities under the Product Safety Review.

Rules remain different for medical devices, construction products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment, unmanned aircraft systems, rail products, and marine equipment. Departments responsible for these sectors are making sector specific arrangements.