The UK Government’s Minister for Building Safety and Homelessness has announced (Monday 2 September 2024) an extension of the recognition of CE marking for construction products in Great Britain – this will not impact Northern Ireland.
This extension, and the longer-term future of CE/UKCA marking, is conditional on a commitment from the government to system-wide reform of the construction products regulatory regime. The announcement can be read HERE.
Key points:
- CE marking will continue to be accepted beyond 30 June 2025 in Great Britain.
- The government has committed to system-wide construction product regulatory reform.
- UKCA marking will remain a valid and accepted regulatory mark.
- The government will explore the long-term future of CE/UKCA marking as part of this regulatory reform.
- Any subsequent changes to the recognition of CE marking would be subject to a minimum two-year transitional period.
- The government will engage with UK Conformity Assessment Bodies, the UK Accreditation Service, and the wider industry to strengthen the conformity assessment market.
The government is also completing the withdrawal of the National Classes BS 476 fire testing standards, ending a long period of dual specification in favour of the EN 1634 European standard in Approved Document B (England).
This implements the recommendation, made in the Hackitt Report, for a clearer, more transparent and effective testing regime. The government has stated there will be a transition period of five years for fire resistance (which will impact fire doors) to facilitate a smooth transition to the European standard, minimising supply chain disruption.
These transitional arrangements will also ensure that products already tested to the BS 476 standard (as well as assessments to this standard) can continue to be used during the transition period and the necessary retesting can be organised. In addition, assessments beyond 2029, based on EN 1634 testing for products to be fitted to internal doorsets and internal and external door assemblies may still be used, but further clarification on this is required.
The amended Approved Document B documents can be found HERE.
The Guild has been lobbying the UK Government in recent years to provide clarity on CE marking dates following multiple acceptability timeline amendments. The GAI has also been collaborating on any changes to BS 476 and acceptability of the corresponding assessments would have a long transition date.
GAI technical manager, Douglas Masterson, stated: “It has been a long road for our members for both conformity marking and fire testing. Whilst we are aware of the considerable time, effort and cost incurred, the statement from the government will provide some clarity to our members and allow them to prepare for the changes ahead.”
The GAI will be updating its library of technical resources to reflect the updated plans, including its guidance on UKCA marking in due course.
