Get on your marks with the FEA
FEA explains latest changes to safety requirement marks and what they mean for business
The Foodservice Equipment Association has issued guidance for its members relating to the UK Conformity Assessment marking (UKCA). This follows the announcement that the government would be extending recognition for the CE mark indefinitely, beyond the previously announced 2024 deadline.
The revised rules will apply to 18 product areas that fall under the regulation of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Most relevantly for the foodservice equipment industry is that this includes simple pressure vessels and pressure equipment, gas appliances, non-automatic weighing instruments, and measuring container bottles.
Companies currently using the CE marking and EU declaration of conformity for any product falling under any of the categories can continue to do so, however they need to have a presence in the EU or have appointed an authorised representative based in an EU country.
The UKCA mark will remain valid within the UK market, except for Northern Ireland, and FEA recommends that companies should continue to use it if it has already been applied and if they are already in the process of applying the UKCA mark, continue to see the application through to completion.
FEA attended round table talks organised by the DBT to discuss these changes, to ensure the voices of its members and stakeholders were heard. It was clarified that in the future the UKCA mark could be made mandatory, particularly if regulatory divergence occurs. Furthermore, if UK regulations or testing requirements change from the EU’s then the acceptance of the CE mark would likely be affected.
“This is an important change, but it is important to know that the guidance is still fluid and there will doubtless be further updates from the government,” says Andy Threlfall, technical and policy director for the FEA. “If any of our members have any feedback we urge them to contact us so we can continue to provide the government with the information it needs to ensure any future changes are fit for purpose.”
Visitors to Host Milan this year will get a chance to hear Andy discuss this and other issues affecting UK-EU trade for the foodservice equipment market. Come to the FCSI stand, which can be found at Stand A59,A65,B60 and B66 in Hall 2P at 2PM on Saturday October 14th. As well as the application of CE/UKCA marks he will cover subjects like the declaration of conformity for EU and UK markets, the role of suppliers and importers following the UK’s exit of the EU, the challenges faced by suppliers and manufacturers along with the role of BEIS and the Etl list for energy efficient products and the FOG management guide.
Further information about the UKCA mark can be found on the government’s website.