The UKCA marking, announced in light of the UK's departure from the European Union (EU), relates only to goods sold in Great Britain, as the CE marking is already, and still, required when selling goods within the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).

The UKCA marking is not accepted within the EU and EEA.

The CE marking, which is required for many products:

• shows that the manufacturer has checked that these products meet EU safety, health or environmental requirements
• is an indicator of a product’s compliance with EU legislation
• allows the free movement of products within the European market

British businesses can still use the UKCA marking for goods sold in Great Britain if they choose to, but it is no longer to be a requirement. Business can instead continue using the CE marking on goods sold in Great Britain.

CE marking applies to the product categories below:

• active implantable medical devices
• appliances burning gaseous fuels
• cableway installations designed to carry persons
• eco-design of energy related products
• electromagnetic compatibility
• equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
• explosives for civil uses
• hot-water boilers
• household refrigerators and freezers
• in vitro diagnostic medical devices
• lifts
• low voltage
• machinery
• measuring instruments
• medical devices
• noise emission in the environment
• non-automatic weighing instruments
• personal protective equipment
• pressure equipment
• pyrotechnics
• radio and telecommunications terminal equipment
• recreational craft
• safety of toys
• simple pressure vessels

The CE marking is not required for items such as:

• chemicals
• pharmaceuticals
• cosmetics
• foodstuffs

There are different rules for medical devices, construction products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment, unmanned aircraft systems, rail products, marine equipment and ecodesign.

More information and guidance

For more information, view the CE marking guidance on the government website.

Read more guidance on placing goods on the market in Great Britain.

Read more guidance on placing goods on the European market.