UK construction hit hard by confusion over CE Marking

The Government is accused of damaging the UK’s construction industry with the continued confusion surrounding CE Marking and UKCA.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has warned, following clarification from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), that the Government announcement about an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for UK businesses does not pertain to the construction products sector.

Instead, the situation for construction products remains the same and recognition of the CE mark will continue until 30th June 2025.

At that point implementation of the UK CA marking scheme is set to become mandatory.

“We fear that policy makers do not fully understand or appreciate the gravity of this policy position not only for our sector and the construction industry, but indeed for any government ambitions related to the UK’s housing, schools, hospitals, infrastructure and wider built environment,” explained Peter Caplehorn, Chief Executive of the CPA.

“The CPA has long argued that every day that manufacturers have to wait for clarification from government causes more damage. This uncertainty has exacerbated product availability issues, led to UK and foreign manufacturers pulling products from the UK market, diminished investment and R&D, and therefore negatively impacted jobs and the ability of the product sector to support the UK construction industry every day.

“We hope that today’s announcement reflects a new appreciation by policy makers of the cost and burden caused by the CA Mark scheme.

“We will appreciate further discussions with the government to ensure the UK construction products sector sees similar clarity very soon.”