Calls for consistency over CE Mark as UKCA system fails to meet demand

The Government announcement on the 1 August extended recognition of the CE Mark in the UK for 18 sectors covered by those which are the responsibility of the Department for Business and Trade.

This includes regulations in relation to machinery and other manufactured products. This announcement does not apply to construction products, which are the responsibility of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

Therefore, the position for construction products remains unchanged and recognition of the CE mark for construction products in Great Britain will continue until 30th June 2025, at which point firms will be required to adopt the UKCA Mark.

The CLC said it understands the Government will set out its proposals for wider reform of the construction product regime, including the future of product marking, in due course.

“We are working at pace with DBT and DLUHC on both the impact of the DBT announcement, and in relation to the development of the proposals for future construction product regulation,” it said in a statement. “The aim is to ensure that there is clarity regarding the timetable for policy announcements on the future of construction product regulation to enable the whole construction supply chain to prepare for changes in the current regime.

“In addition, the CLC will continue to make the case that there should be a consistent approach across all industry sectors and products to CE Mark recognition, and that this should apply to all construction products.

“The CLC will also continue to highlight that there is insufficient capacity within the UK testing system to apply the UKCA Mark to all construction products from 2025, given the large range of products and costs involved. This would mean that some construction products will be withdrawn from the UK market from 1 July 2025, with a consequent impact on the delivery of infrastructure, home building and domestic retrofit products.”