This text is LEIA’s understanding of recent UK government guidance. On 20 June 2022, a number of “easements” were announced that relate to the imposition of the new UKCA mark from 1 January 2023.
LEIA said there is no change to the need to use the UKCA (UK conformity Assessed) mark from then, where the CE mark was previously used. The marking indicates the conformity with the applicable requirements for products sold within the UK.
Elaborating further on the easements, LEIA stated:
UKCA marking, and importer details for goods from EEA countries, may be placed using a sticky label or on an accompanying document until 31 December 2025.
Spares parts will not need to be UKCA marked for the GB market to repair, replace and maintain products.
There is no need to re-test and re-mark existing imported stock brought into the UK before 31 December.
EU certificates provided by non-UK conformity assessment bodies issued before the end of 2022 may be used as a basis for UKCA marking certification until the expiry of the certificate or 31 December 2027, if sooner. Then a UK Approved Body will be needed as the basis of UKCA marking.
For the lift and escalator sector, all safety components placed on the market from 1 January 2023 will need to be UKCA-marked by the manufacturer (until 31 December 2025; this can be using a label or on accompanying documentation). This can be based on:
Using EU conformity certification in place at 31 December to declare conformity to UKCA requirements until the expiry of the certification or 31 December 2027 (five years) whichever is sooner. Once a certificate has expired then a UK approved body must be used to undertake conformity assessment. This must also be done from 31 December 2027.
Where a part of existing equipment is replaced as part of maintenance and repair, spare parts (including safety components for lifts) may conform to the conformity assessment requirements that were in place when the original equipment was placed on the marked.This means that for CE-marked lifts placed on the market before 1 January 2023, CE-marked spare parts may be used.
Lifts must be UKCA marked from 1 January 2023 as a UK Approved Body must be used as part of the UK conformity assessment procedures for new lifts. The UKCA mark may be on the lift, or until 31 December 2025 may be on accompanying documentation.
The easement on using EU certification allows EU Type Examination certificates for model lifts to be used as part of conformity assessment until their expiry or 31 December 2027, if sooner. After this, any type of examination certification must be from a UK Approved Body.