Manufacturers must “act now, to ensure a smooth UKCA certification process in time for 1 January 2023,” a testing expert has warned. The 1 January 2023 deadline risks providing a “false sense of comfort”, argued Niresh Somlie, principal technical officer for BM Trada, a UK testing, inspection and certification provider.
UKCA certification became mandatory for all new construction products placed on the market in Great Britain as of 1 January 2021, and will be mandatory for all applicable construction products placed on the GB market as of 1 January 2023. It covers all products that fall within the scope of the UK Construction Products Regulation and Designated Standards, and directly replaces CE certification for products placed on the GB market.
UKCA certification can only be issued by an approved body listed on the UK government’s database. As there are only a small number of approved bodies, manufacturers that have not yet started or completed the process may find themselves in a ‘race for space’.
“Although a large number of manufacturers have successfully achieved UKCA certification, a sizeable number have not,” said Niresh. “Lead times for sampling and laboratory availability are currently long, and are likely to be even longer towards the end of this year. Therefore, the longer the delay in getting the process started, the more likely manufacturers are to be caught up in a race for sampling and test space availability. … if the certification process is not started now, it is likely that the factory audit will not be completed in time for 1 January 2023.
“Ultimately, while the deadline for achieving certification is 1 January 2023, it could provide a false sense of comfort for manufacturers thinking that they have enough time until the end of the year to get sorted. Leaving any applications until later in the year could result in the certificate not being issued in time. If the product is not UKCA certified on 1 January 2023, it cannot be placed on the GB market. This will have severe implications on business operations and trading capabilities.
“My best advice to any manufacturer who has yet to start the UKCA certification process would be to act now, to ensure a smooth certification process in time for 1 January 2023. This will also keep any disruption to an absolute minimum.”
BM TRADA, Element and Warringtonfire are holding a joint webinar next Thursday (24 March) focusing on UKCA certification and its associated requirements. A panel of engaged experts are set to be on hand, to answer any questions. Register at this link for the webinar.
