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How can UK Approved Bodies encourage business readiness for the UKCA regime?

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The United Kingdom now has its own regulatory framework to ensure a high level of protection to UK consumers. In the last few months, UKAS has been working with the UK government, to support Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) as the country prepares for the new UKCA regime to be mandatory from 1 January 2023.

With just a year to go, it is more important than ever for the customers of Approved Bodies to start taking action to be ready ahead of the deadline. The UKCA requirements will apply to all businesses who want to place regulated products on the market in Great Britain, including business based both in and outside the UK. CABs can play a key part in ensuring their clients are fully informed about their options for conformity assessment.

If you are an Approved Body there are four key actions you can take today to help support your clients prepare for UKCA:

  1. Reach out to your clients to ensure they understand they need to take action to prepare for the UKCA marking. You could share guidance available on www.gov.uk/ukca, or even consider running a webinar or event which colleagues at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) would be willing to present at.
  2. Remind clients to talk to manufacturers in their supply chains about new requirements and responsibilities.
  3. Consider whether you could expand your scope to cover more regulations. UKAS is here to support CAB expansion as we know there is growing business demand for UKCA conformity assessment, and there are areas where testing and certification demand outstrips supply.
  4. Inform government about any issues you are facing by contacting BEIS on [email protected] or via your UKAS representative.

It is important we all work together to ensure there is a smooth transition to UKCA. From 1 January 2023, businesses will not be able to legally place products which formerly carried the CE mark onto the GB market without meeting UKCA requirements. With this in mind, we want to encourage you to reach out now to ensure your clients are ready.

UKAS and BEIS are here and ready to support you and your clients through the process.