The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has given a guarded welcome to the Government’s postponement of planned changes to product marking rules but warns that more action is needed.
The changes, which follow the UK’s departure from the European Union, were due to come into force on 1 January 2022, and would require manufacturers to conform to the new United Kingdom Conformity Assessed (UKCA) norms and replace any CE quality markings on their products with the corresponding new UKCA (or UKNI) mark.
The BMF along with others in the building materials and wider construction industry had raised concerns regarding the timing and feasibility of these changes.
In response, the Government has announced that CE marked products will be allowed to be sold in the UK for a further 12 months.
John Newcomb, BMF Chief Executive, said: “The Government’s decision to postpone planned changes to product marking rules for 12 months is good news and gives welcome breathing space. It allows more time to rectify complex technical issues so that British and European manufacturers can work towards gaining UKCA Marking, but further action is needed.
“There are currently not enough approved companies or qualified people to conduct the huge number of assessments and certifications required, and the extension does nothing to nurture what limited testing capacity and capability there is within Great Britain. We would like to see more support for a home testing market.
“There is a danger that simply extending the time period for CE marked goods to be placed on the GB market is just kicking the can down the road, and not providing a long term solution.”
