This text is our understanding of recent UK Government guidance which should, along with new regulations expected to be published later in the year, be consulted for a definitive view.
On 20 June 2022, a number of “easements” were announced while still maintaining the requirement to use the UKCA mark from 1 January 2023.
What is new and what are these easements?
There is no change to the need to use the UKCA mark from 1 January 2023 where the CE mark was previously used. However, there are some very important “easements”:
- UKCA marking, and importer details for goods from EEA countries, may be placed using a sticky label or on an accompanying document until 31 December 2025
- Spares parts will not need to be UKCA marked for the GB market to repair, replace and maintain products.
- There is no need to re-test and re-mark existing imported stock brought into the UK before 31 December 2022.
- EU certificates provided by non-UK conformity assessment bodies (CABs) issued before the end of 2022 may be used as a basis for UKCA marking certification until the expiry of the certificate or 31 December 2027 if sooner. Then a UK Approved Body will be needed as the basis of UKCA marking.
What do these mean for the lift and escalator sector from 1 January 2023?
New safety components for lifts
From 1 January 2023, all safety components placed on the GB market will need to be UKCA-marked by the manufacturer (until 31 December 2025 this can be using a label or on accompanying documentation). This can be based on:
- using EU conformity certification in place at 31 December 2022 to declare conformity to UKCA requirements until the expiry of the certification or 31 December 2027 (5 years) whichever is sooner. Once a certificate has expired then the following must be used;
- using a UK Approved Body to undertake conformity assessment. This must be used once any EU certification has expired or from 31 December 2027 whichever is sooner.
Spare parts including replacement safety components for lifts
Where a part of existing equipment is replaced as part of maintenance and repair, spare parts (including safety components for lifts) may conform to the conformity assessment requirements that were in place when the original equipment was placed on the marked. This means that for CE-marked lifts placed on the market before 1 January 2023, CE-marked spare parts may be used.
New lifts
Lifts must be UKCA marked from 1 January 2023 as a UK Approved Body must be used as part of the UK conformity assessment procedures for new lifts. The UKCA mark may be on the lift or until 31 December 2025 may be on accompanying documentation.
The easement on using EU certification allows EU Type Examination certificates for model lifts to be used as part of conformity assessment until their expiry or 31 December 2027 if sooner. After this, any type examination certification must be from a UK Approved Body.
We have updated our guidance at https://www.leia.co.uk/ukca-marking-from-1-january-2021/ and will cover this topic at the LIFTEX 2022 seminars.