Government extends CE marking acceptance for boats until 2023

The government has announced an extension to the start date for the new post-Brexit certification rules for CE products by 12 months.

This extension means that the CE mark will continue as a recognised trademark into next year, after the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) agreed to push back the deadline for the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) stamp until 1 January 2023.

Any CE marked goods that meet EU requirements may continue to be placed on Great Britain’s (GB) market for another year.

The UKCA marking is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in GB. UKCA gives the UK control over its goods regulations and covers most goods which previously required the CE marking, known as ‘new approach’ goods.

The UKCA marking came into effect on 1 January 2021 and is now being used. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, businesses will now be able to use the CE marking until 01 January 2023 in most cases.

“The RYA welcomes the government announcement that extends the use of the CE mark until the end of next year,” says Howard Pridding, RYA director of external affairs. “We are aware that there is currently a shortage of UK approved bodies who will carry out UK certification in some sectors and the extension to 1 January 2023 will allow the recreational boating industry further time to be able to adjust to the new legal requirements and to ensure that the correct procedures are in place. We will continue to liaise with government and British Marine as guidance develops.”