How to UKCA Mark a Product in 5 Steps

This article serves as a step-by-step guide explaining how to affix UKCA marking to products manufactured for the UK market. We break down the process into 5 steps from the point of view of a manufacturer managing the UKCA marking process, with additional instructions for importers.

The 5-step UKCA marking process described in this guide can be broadly applied to the following product categories:

• Toys
• Electronics
• Machinery
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Medical Devices
• Gas Appliance

Step 1: Identify applicable UKCA regulations

UKCA marking can only be applied if your product is subject to at least one UK regulation which mandates it. If that is not the case, then you can stop reading here.

The table below lists UK regulations which mandate UKCA marking and their respective scope.

UK Regulation	Scope
The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011	Toys
The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012	Electrical and electronic equipment
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016	Products that can cause, or be affected by, electromagnetic disturbance
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016	Electrical equipment
The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017	Radio equipment
The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010	Energy-related products
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008	Machinery (e.g. portable woodworking chainsaws)
Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (EU) 2016/425	Personal protective equipment
The Medical Devices Regulations 2002	Medical devices
Gas Appliances Regulation (EU) 2016/426	Appliances and fittings
The Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016	Measuring instruments (e.g. taximeters)

Be aware that more than one UK regulation mandating UKCA marking can apply to the same product. This is important to be aware of, as each individual regulation sets labelling, documentation, testing, and other requirements.

Case Study A: Sunglasses

Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (EU) 2016/425

Case Study B: Electronic Toy

1. The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011

2. The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012

3. The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016

Identify Conformity Assessment Procedures

The Conformity Assessment Procedures that must be followed depend on the product type. This, in turn, impacts certain labelling, documentation, and approved body requirements.

Approved Body Requirements

Certain products must undergo certification via a UK Approved Body. This requirement applies to certain PPE categories and medical device classes, and other products.

Step 2: Find applicable designated standards

The UKCA mark signals that the product is safe and compliant with all applicable UK regulations. However, the exact criteria for how this is achieved are not specified in the regulations. Instead, you need to identify the designated standards providing detailed technical specifications for particular products.

The designed standards that must be applied depend on the product and its applicable regulations.

At a later stage, you will also need to test your product to verify compliance with all applicable designated standards. Before that, you must ensure that your product is designed for compliance.

Here are a few examples:

The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011

EN 71-1 – Safety of toys – Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties

EN 71-2 – Safety of toys – Part 2: Flammability

EN 71-3 – Safety of toys – Part 3: Migration of certain elements

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016

EN 50148 – Electronic taximeters

EN 1155 – Building hardware – Electrically powered hold-open devices for swing doors – Requirements and test methods

EN ISO 14982 – Agricultural and forestry machinery – Electromagnetic compatibility – Test methods and acceptance criteria

Personal Protective Equipment Regulation (EU) 2016/425

EN 136 – Respiratory protective devices – Full face masks – Requirements, testing, marking

EN 343 – Protective clothing – Protection against rain

EN 511 – Protective gloves against cold

Step 3: Create UKCA and other label files

Below follows an overview of various labelling requirements applicable to UKCA-marked products.

UKCA mark

The UKCA mark must be affixed to the product, packaging, or accompanying documentation. The purpose is to indicate compliance with all applicable UK regulations that mandate UKCA marking.

Product information

The following product information is normally required:

1. Product name/model

2. Serial number or batch number

Manufacturer information

The following manufacturer information is often required:

1. Manufacturer company name

2. Manufacturer address and contact point

The manufacturer can be either a UK or a foreign manufacturer.

Importer information

The following information must generally be added if a UK importer is involved:

1. Importer company name

2. Importer address and contact point

Other labelling requirements

Certain UK regulations mandating UKCA marking also contain additional labelling requirements. Here are some examples:

1. Warning texts and symbols

2. Instructions for safe use

3. Technical information

These can either be mandated by UK regulations or designated standards.

Step 4: Product testing

Product testing is necessary to verify compliance with applicable designated standards. This requires that you submit samples to a testing company.

Examples of testing companies

• Intertek
• Eurofins
• F2 Labs
• Bureau Veritas
• TUV SUD
• TUV Rheinland

Assuming your product passes testing, you will obtain a test report, which is included in the technical documentation and supports your UK Declaration of Conformity.

Step 5: Create documentation

The final step of the UKCA marking process is to create documentation. Depending on the product, you may also need to involve a UK approved body.

UK Declaration of Conformity

The manufacturer must issue a UK Declaration of Conformity. The exact information you must include depends on the applicable UK regulations. That being said, the following is normally included:

• Product name and batch/serial number
• Manufacturer information
• Authorised representative information (if any)
• Product image
• List of UK regulations the product complies with
• List of designated standards
• Approved body information (if any)

Technical documentation

UKCA-marked products must normally be supported by technical documentation. This can be included:

• Product descriptions
• Technical drawings
• Bill of materials
• Packaging artwork
• List of applied designated standards
• List of UK regulations applicable to the product
• User instruction files
• Product label files
• Test reports
• UK Declaration of Conformity copy

User instructions

Some products must be accompanied by instructions detailing appropriate use, installation, maintenance, and disposal.

Approved Bodies

You must submit product samples and documentation to a UK Approved Body if your product is subject to this requirement.

Type-Examination Certificate

The manufacturer must apply for a Type-Examination Certificate from a UK Approved Body if the product is subject to such a requirement. As mentioned, this depends on the applicable conformity assessment procedure.

Note: Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.