UK's DBT Provides Tips on UKNI Marking and Northern Ireland Market Access

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) of the United Kingdom has recently updated its guidance on placing manufactured goods in the Northern Ireland market. These updates are crucial for manufacturers to ensure compliance with the latest regulations.

Technical Documentation and Record-Keeping

DBT's recent update, effective from October 3, 2023, includes important information on technical documentation and record-keeping for products. Manufacturers are required to maintain a technical file to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements. This file should encompass the product's design, manufacturing process, evidence of compliance with national regulations, manufacturer information, storage facility details, etc. It's important to note that these records should be retained for a period, typically not exceeding 10 years after the product enters the market, and should be accessible to enforcement authorities upon request.

EU Declaration of Conformity

‍The updated guidance also clarifies cases when EU Declaration of Conformity is necessary. In addition, even if a product has the UKNI mark alongside the CE mark, an EU Declaration of Conformity is still required. Manufacturers must also ensure that this declaration is accessible to enforcement authorities upon request.

CE Marking Insights

The DBT's update also includes information on when and how to use the CE mark. The Windsor Framework does not modify the existing rules regarding the necessity of a CE marking for certain products. The guidelines provide additional links with further details on the use of CE mark.

Unfettered Access for Northern Ireland's Businesses

‍The UK government is committed to providing unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the entire UK market. This policy allows products that meet Northern Ireland conformity standards to be placed in the Great Britain market without needing additional approvals.

UKNI Mark and the EU Market

‍The guidelines also cover the usage of the UKNI mark, especially highlighting its prohibition in the EU market. Products destined for the EU must only display the CE marking, excluding the UKNI mark. Furthermore, products requiring third-party conformity assessment for the EU market must be evaluated by an EU-recognized body, as UK bodies are not authorized for this purpose.

Access the Full Guidelines

‍To gain a thorough understanding of these updates, you can access the full guidelines here:

These guidelines are vital for manufacturers and businesses looking to navigate the evolving product regulation landscape in the UK and Northern Ireland effectively.