New developments in Britain’s “Brexit”: CE marking will continue to be used during the transition period

Date：2020/7/31　　Clicks：1254

Recently, it was mentioned in a meeting held by the IECEE Certification Management Committee (CMC) that starting from January 1, 2021, the CE marking will likely enter a two-year transitional period during which the CE marking can be combined with the United Kingdom Conformity Assessment (UKCA) Together, the logo serves as a passport for products to enter the UK market.

This means that customers do not need to worry about the issue that products currently affixed with the CE mark will become "unlicensed sales" immediately after Brexit; customers who have not yet obtained the CE mark do not need to worry about the UKCA has not yet opened applications and lead to product listing The plan was delayed. Until the end of the transition period, products can continue to use the CE mark to enter the UK market.


In the European market, the CE mark is a mandatory mark and is the EU's supervision method for products entering its market. The products affixed with the CE mark indicate that the product complies with the relevant EU regulations on safety, health, and environmental protection, and can be legally marketed and sold in EU member states, four countries in the European Free Trade Zone, as well as the UK and Turkey.


There are more than 20 main product categories that must meet the requirements of the CE Directive (see http://www.cenelec.org for details), for example:

◆ Low Voltage Equipment-Low Voltage Directive (LVD)

◆ Electromagnetic Compatibility Products-Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

◆ Machinery Products-Machinery Directive (MD)

◆ Pressure Vessel-Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)
◆ Radio Equipment-Radio Equipment Directive (RED), etc.

If your product is included in the above range, you need to understand the CE mark and perform the necessary test approval or prepare related documents, and even contact the designated testing agency if necessary.

According to EU regulations, there are two main ways to affix the CE mark to products:

◆ The manufacturer adopts the self-declaration method to affix the CE mark

specific process

1. Manufacturers must ensure that their products comply with EU regulations;
2. The product is safe and effective and relevant technical documents are established;
3. Sign the declaration of conformity;
4. You can affix the CE mark on the product to enter the EU for sale.

◆ Some products with higher risks require a third-party agency authorized by the European Union, namely the Notified Body, to carry out the conformity assessment before the CE mark can be affixed

specific process

1. The product manufacturer submits an application to the announcement agency;
2. The notifying agency provides conformity assessment services for manufacturers;
3. If the product meets the legal requirements, a CE certificate will be issued;
4. The manufacturer signs the declaration of conformity according to the CE certificate;
5. The product can enter the EU market after affixed with the CE mark.

Affixing the CE mark indicates that the product has reached the safety requirements stipulated by the EU directives, which is a promise of the company to consumers. Obtaining the CE certificate issued by the EU designated agency can maximize the trust of consumers and market surveillance agencies. 

At present, many details on the CE marking and product conformity assessment are still under discussion after Brexit. VDE will continue to pay attention to the progress of the negotiations between the UK and the EU and provide you with the latest news in a timely manner.