Product regulations by sector and current approaches to product marking: UKCA and CE regimes
Published 31 March 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
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Markings used for product types in Great Britain and Northern Ireland
This table sets out marking requirements for products being placed in the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) or Northern Ireland, under the Conformity Assessed (UKCA) or Conformité Européenne (CE) regimes. These are listed by product type, and are owned by varying government departments.
| Product type | Marking required to place product on GB market | Marking required to place product on NI market | Department owning legislation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerosol dispensers | UKCA or reversed epsilon | Reversed epsilon, or UKNI and reversed epsilon | DBT |
| Batteries | None product marking required in GB | CE, or UKNI and CE | Defra |
| Cableway installations | UKCA or CE* | CE, or UKNI and CE* | DfT |
| Construction products | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | MHCLG |
| Ecodesign for energy-related products | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DESNZ |
| Electrical equipment | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Explosives | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | HSE |
| Fertilisers | No product marking required in GB | CE | Defra |
| Gas appliances | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Lifts | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Machinery | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Measuring container bottles | UKCA or reversed epsilon | Reversed epsilon, or UKNI and reversed epsilon | DBT |
| Measuring instruments | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Medical devices | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | MHRA |
| Merchant shipping (marine equipment) | See merchant shipping guidance | See merchant shipping guidance | DfT |
| Noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Non-automatic weighing instruments | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| PPE (personal protective equipment) | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Pressure equipment | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Pyrotechnics | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Radio equipment | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Railways | No marking for interoperability constituents. Placing on the market based on a UK or EU declaration of conformity | CE, or UKNI and CE | DfT |
| Recreational craft | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | Defra |
| Simple pressure vessels | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Toys | UKCA or CE | CE, or UKNI and CE | DBT |
| Transportable pressure equipment | Rho | Pi (π) | DfT |
| Uncrewed aircraft systems | UK0 – UK6 class mark | UK0 – UK6 class mark | DfT |
*There is no legal barrier to using the UKCA or CE and UKNI marking, but the highly specialised market has not generated demand for a UK-based conformity assessment body.
Corresponding UK and EU product regulations
This table sets out the latest UK and EU legislation which can be used to place products on the market in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, under the UKCA/CE regime. In Great Britain, UK law applies, and where requirements are aligned EU legislation is also recognised. In Northern Ireland, under the Windsor Framework agreement relevant rules in EU legislation relating to manufactured products apply in Northern Ireland. You can see more detailed information in sector requirements and guidance.
Sector requirements and guidance
This section sets out the regulations and guidance by sector which apply to specific products across the UKCA and CE regimes, for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Aerosol dispensers
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the reversed epsilon marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use the UKCA or reversed epsilon marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009/2824, owned by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
Read statutory guidance on aerosol dispensers setting out the regulations for the UK market published by Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).
Batteries
Conformity assessment is not a requirement for batteries in Great Britain, only in Northern Ireland where EU Regulation 2023/1542 applies directly.
The EU have introduced CE marking requirements for batteries regulation. The UK is considering its approach.
Batteries legislation is owned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Guidance from Defra and OPSS includes:
- regulations for batteries and accumulators
- using button and coin batteries
- statutory guidelines on lithium-ion battery safety for e-bikes for Great Britain
Cableway installations
The 2019 regulations provide for continuing recognition of EU harmonised standards. They allow for the continued use of CE marking for components and systems for cableways to be placed on the Great Britain market.
The current legislation for this product sector is The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018, which is owned by the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT have also published clarifying information for the cableway installations regulations 2018.
Construction products
In September 2024, the government committed to continuing to recognise the CE marking for construction products, subject to system wide reform, with any subsequent changes to CE recognition subject to a minimum 2-year transitional period. The Construction Products (Amendment) Regulations 2025 came into force in January 2026 to facilitate this.
The construction products reform white paper published February 2026 confirming the intention to maintain CE marking recognition within the reformed regulatory framework being developed. You may also wish to refer to the construction products reform green paper.
Construction Products Regulations 2011, owned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
MHCLG and OPSS have published:
- guidance on construction products regulation in Great Britain
- national guidance on regulations for the construction industry on construction products
There are different arrangements for the regulation of construction products in Northern Ireland.
You may also wish to refer to:
- EU construction products regulation and CE marking
- the government response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Ecodesign for energy-related products
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Provided the product complies with Great Britain ecodesign requirements, businesses have the flexibility to choose to use the UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
A consultation to continue recognition of the CE marking for products made under the new framework for setting ecodesign standards, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (‘ESPR’) regulations closed on 20 January 2026.
The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010, owned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
DESNZ and OPSS have published:
- regulatory guidance for the UK market on ecodesign of energy-consuming products
- guidance on regulations for energy information which provides further information on ecodesign and energy labelling
Electrical equipment
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1101, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
The OPSS Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 statutory guidance covers both Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Electromagnetic compatibility
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016/1091, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 statutory guidance covers both Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
The OPSS equipment for explosive atmospheres regulations statutory guidance covers both Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Explosives
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Explosives Regulations 2014, owned by Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
The HSE website has guidance on placing civil explosives on the Great Britain market.
Fertilisers
There are 2 routes to the legal marketing and sale of fertilisers in Great Britain. Fertilisers may be marketed under domestic regulations The Fertilisers Regulations 1991 or assimilated Regulation (EC) No. 2003/2003 (the “UK fertiliser” regime).
You can read further guidance on manufacturing and marketing fertilisers produced by Defra which owns fertilisers legislation.
Gas appliances
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
Regulation 2016/426 and the Gas Appliances (Enforcement) and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2018, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
The OPSS Gas Appliances (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 statutory guidance covers both Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Lifts
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Lifts Regulations 2016/1093, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS Lifts Regulations 2016 statutory guidance covers both Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Machinery
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008/1597, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 statutory guidance covers both Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Measuring container bottles
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the reversed epsilon marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or reversed epsilon marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Measuring Container Bottles (European Economic Community (EEC) Requirements) Regulations 1977, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
Read OPSS guidance on measuring container bottles: product marking for more information on regulations for the UK market.
Measuring instruments
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016/1153, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
The OPSS Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 statutory guidance covers both Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Medical devices
Manufacturers can access the GB market through UKCA certification, or through the recognition of CE certification in Great Britain until July 2028 or 2030, depending on the EU legislation complied with.
The UK government and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are currently pursuing proposals for system-wide reform of devices regulation under UKCA. A consultation on proposals for indefinite recognition of CE marked medical devices in Great Britain opened on 16 February 2026. In the meantime, The Medical Devices Regulations 2002, owned by MHRA, continues to apply.
MHRA provide further guidance on regulating medical devices in the UK on the regulations for the Great Britain market.
There are different arrangements for the regulation of medical devices in Northern Ireland.
Merchant shipping (marine equipment)
The UK uses the ‘Red Ensign’ (RE) marking and EU use the ‘Wheelmark’ for marine equipment.
The regulations apply when the equipment is placed on board a ship. If a manufacturer wishes to supply UK registered ships, the equipment must be marked with the RE symbol. If they wish to supply EU registered ships, the equipment must be marked with the Wheelmark symbol. No matter where they are supplying in the world, it is who they are supplying that dictates the marking, not the geographical location of the manufacturer.
For marine equipment, there is no difference for Northern Ireland as there is only one UK ship registry, so the only requirement for products on the UK market is the RE mark
Since 1 January 2023, Great Britain vessels may no longer use marine equipment with the Wheelmark unless the products were (both of the following apply):
- manufactured before 1 January 2023
- installed on board prior to the ‘last placing on board date’
New marine equipment for Great Britain vessels must be RE marked.
The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2025 is the relevant current legislation for this product sector, which is owned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
You can also see guidance on UK marine equipment regulations from the MCA.
You may also wish to refer to the page on marine equipment United Kingdom conformity assessment and type approval procedures for marine equipment from the MCA.
Noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001/1701, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
On 13 October 2025, the government laid the Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors (Amendment and Transitional) Regulations 2025 (the ‘2025 Regulations’) to implement changes to the Noise Emissions in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001 (the ‘2001 Regulations’) as they apply in Great Britain. The 2025 Regulations, which come into force on 13 April 2026:
- update the testing methods for equipment in scope of the 2001 regulations
- remove the requirement for manufacturers to send a copy of the UK Declaration of Conformity to the OPSS
- continue CE recognition for products in scope of the regulations
- insert a review clause into the 2001 regulations
OPSS provide noise from outdoor equipment regulations statutory guidance on the regulations for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Non-automatic weighing instruments
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016/1152, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS provide statutory guidance on non-Automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016 for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
Regulation 2016/425 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS provide Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 statutory guidance on the regulations for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Pressure equipment
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1105, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS provide statutory guidance on the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 on the regulations for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Pyrotechnics
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015/1553, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS provide statutory guidance on the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 on the regulations for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Radio equipment
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017/1206, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS provide statutory guidance on radio equipment regulations for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Railways
Rail interoperability constituents with an EC Declaration of Conformity to EU Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs) can continue to be placed on the Great Britain market without further assessment where requirements in the EU TSI and Great Britain National Technical Specification Notice (NTSN) requirements are equivalent.
Where an NTSN specifies a ‘UK specific case’ for an interoperability constituent, further assessment may be needed against the additional requirements.
The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, owned by DfT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
DfT provide guidance:
- on rail interoperability and standards
- on interoperability constituents in rail transport: domestic and cross-border operations
Recreational craft
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Recreational Craft Regulations 2017/737, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS provide statutory guidance on Recreational Craft Regulations 2017 on the regulations for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 (‘The RoHS Regulations’), owned by Defra, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
Defra and OPSS provide guidance for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets on:
Simple pressure vessels
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016/1092, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS provide statutory guidance on Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016 on the regulations for both the Great Britain and Northern Ireland markets.
Toys
Legislation came into force on 1 October 2024 to continue recognition of the CE marking. Businesses have the flexibility to choose to use UKCA or CE marking to place goods on the market in Great Britain.
The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011/1881, owned by DBT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
OPSS provide statutory guidance on Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 on the regulations for the both the Great Britain and Norther Ireland markets.
Transportable pressure equipment
The UK ‘Rho’ marking is used on transportable pressure equipment (TPE) in Great Britain.
It is a legal requirement that transportable pressure equipment being placed on the Great Britain market is:
- conformity assessed in accordance with Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID)/Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)
- conformity marked
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (as amended), (CDG 2009), owned by DfT, is the relevant current legislation for this product sector.
DfT provides regulatory guidance on placing transportable pressure equipment on the market in Great Britain.
HSE provide guidance on regulations and standards for transportable pressure equipment on their website.
Uncrewed aircraft systems (including drones and model aircraft)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 is the relevant current legislation for this product sector, which is owned by DfT. This is relevant to class marked uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) intended to be used in the Open Category (low risk operations).
The regulation sets out conformity assessment requirements for UAS. You can go to market surveillance on the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website for more information on the conformity assessment requirements. This page also provides more information on the role of the CAA, which became the market surveillance authority for UAS on 16 December 2025.
Class marking requirements for UAS are in force as of 1 January 2026. The regulation will require UKCA marking as well as a UK class marking (UK0, UK1, UK2, UK3, UK4, UK5, and UK6) throughout the United Kingdom.The CAA website has more information on class marking requirements.
Further rules regarding conformity assessment for UAS come into force on 1 January 2028.