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New UKCA and UKNI product markings came into effect this month. BMJ talked to Richard Bromley, business development director at UNION, about what the changes mean for merchants.
W
ith the transition period following Brexit having officially ended on the 31 December 2020, a new product marking
system covering goods that previously required CE marking has now come into force. This includes mechanical architectural hardware products intended for use on fire doors or escape doors, such as locks, hinges, panic exit devices and door closers, as well as electro- mechanical locking solutions. As a result, it’s vital that merchants stocking these products understand the implications of the latest changes.
The new UKCA mark will apply to Great Britain, while the UKNI will be used Northern Ireland. But what do each of these state and what do they cover?
Understanding the UKCA The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking is the new product marking system that will be used for goods being placed on the market in England, Scotland and Wales. It covers all goods that previously required the CE marking. From 1 January 2021, all new products launched in Great Britain must be UKCA marked, with the CE mark no longer being recognised in the UK from 1 January 2022. For existing CE marked products, there will be a ‘coexistence’ period until 31st December 2021, during which these goods can continue to be sold in Great Britain. Merchants need to be aware that some CE mark certification and notified body numbers may change, as accreditation is transferred to a European- based notified body.
During this timeframe, it is expected that manufacturers will take steps to ensure existing CE marked products will have the UKCA mark applied in time for 1 January 2022, when the CE mark will cease to be recognised in Great Britian. The new UKCA mark should appear on the product where possible, as well as on packaging and literature.
UKCA marking must be undertaken by a UK-recognised ‘approved body’. An EU notified body, which would previously have been called upon for CE marking, cannot be used for UKCA marking.
sure they have a solid understanding of what the correct product marking entails and the timescales that are being worked towards. If in any doubt on the final application, sell marked hardware, whether that’s the CE, UKCA or UKNI mark.
UNION’s approach
Getting to grips with the UKNI Just like UKCA, the UKNI mark came into effect on 1 January 2021 too. The Northern Ireland Protocol aims to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland by ensuring that the province will continue to follow the EU’s rules on product standards.
Critically, CE marking can continue to be used in Northern Ireland after 1 January 2021, to demonstrate products still meet EU standards. However, if a manufacturer uses a UK approved body – rather than an EU notified body – to carry out mandatory third-party assessments, then products must also carry the new UKNI mark as well as the CE mark.
A duty of care
Understanding the new rules and regulations surrounding the UKCA and UKNI marks can be onerous for builders merchants. Nevertheless, it is everyone’s responsibility, throughout the supply chain, to ensure that properly certified and marked products are specified to suit the end application. While it is the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure their products conform to the standards, it is the final reseller’s responsibility to ensure the products they stock and sell are fit for purpose. For example, hardware covered by an EU harmonised standard being fitted onto a fire door must be appropriately marked. Therefore, if a product that does not conform is sold by a builders merchant to a customer – such as a non-marked hinge ending up on a fire door – then there could be a thorough investigation, and potentially significant fines and penalties to face.
As such, builders merchants must make January 2021
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
UNION is taking the essential steps so that merchants can have complete confidence in its fire door hardware products. For Great Britain, UNION is ensuring all of its new products from the beginning of 2021 will be certified using a UK approved body and have the UKCA mark applied, if they are intended to be used on fire doors or if it’s electro-mechanical hardware. Then, for its range of existing CE marked products, UNION is progressing UKCA marking for these solutions too, ensuring they are properly certified and marked in time for the 1 January 2022 deadline.
Then, all new products sold into Northern Ireland will either be CE marked by an EU- based notified body, or a UK-based approved body will be used to gain UKNI marking, alongside the UK-registered CE mark approval. And, finally, no matter where in the UK products are being sold, all relevant documents, such as labels, product packaging, marketing materials and instruction manuals, will be updated accordingly too. Clearly, this is no small feat, and this will be a rolling change throughout 2021. Please be reassured that goods already manufactured and in the supply chain remain perfectly legal to sell during this transition period.
Ultimately, it is vital that builders merchants have the knowledge and support they need to ensure business continues as normal during the next chapter in the UK’s history. In order to make the most of any opportunities, merchants need every assurance that products are properly marked. Responsibility lies with door hardware manufacturers to make sure that products conform, but it’s also on builders merchants to make sure that when customers buy electro-mechanical solutions, fire door hardware, panic exit devices and door closers, they choose proucts that meet the new UKCA or UKNI product marking requirements. BMJ
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