Page 21 - Horizon Han22

UKCA/CE Marking for importers and exporters
Local support:
As we have seen, there are important differences between UKCA and CE marking. Importers need to check certain things relating to UKCA marking, and exporters selling to the EU must make changes. Furthermore, although NI remains in the UK, the rules for moving goods between NI and GB are different from those for moving goods within GB.
Fortunately, help is at hand here in the Tees Valley. Safe Machine Ltd supports manufacturers UKCA or CE marking goods, particularly machinery. In addition, the firm’s experts can conduct UKCA or CE audits on machinery and associated documentation. Alternatively, Safe Machine can provide training.
Finally, if you need someone based in the EU to be named on a DoI or DoC, Safe Machine has a sister company based in the Republic of Ireland, Hold Tech Files Ltd. This provides a simple, quick and cost-effective route to compliance.
Serving the home market:
It is important to note that GB businesses serving the home market have to switch from CE marking to UKCA marking. It may seem perverse but leaving the EU has resulted in GB companies having to implement changes, even if they never import or export.
EU Regulation 2019/1020:
Aside from the changes to CE marking, businesses exporting to the EU need to comply with the new EU Regulation 2019/1020. This applies to 70 product Directives and primarily places obligations on EU Member states regarding market surveillance.
From a GB exporter’s perspective, Regulation 2019/1020 requires an ‘economic operator’ to be established in the EU. For commercial reasons, it may be undesirable to name an EU-based importer as the economic operator. A practical alternative is to appoint an authorised representative.
About the author:
Derek Coulson is a machinery safety specialist with over 25 years’ experience. He is the founder of Safe Machine Ltd, a consultancy based in the Tees Valley, and a director of Hold Tech Files Ltd in the Republic of Ireland.
For information on how Safe Machine could help your business with UKCA/CE marking,
contact Derek on 01642 343430 or derek@safemachine.co.uk.
www.safemachine.co.uk
Editor's Note:
UK legislation is changing at a rapid pace. Manufacturers must check the relevant directives for their products at the time of transportation, to ensure they are relying on the latest authorised dates.
If unsure, please contact Derek Coulson on the contact details given above, for advice.
21. UKCA markings
Horizon issue 2.indd 21 14/12/2022 14:49:36