Following the legislation recognising the EU’s CE marking on packaging and products sold in the UK, the Department for Business and Trade has issued new guidance on labelling

On 1 October 2024, legislation came into effect that allowed the continued recognition of EU requirements for products placed on the GB market, including CE marking. 

The guidance covers products that fall under the Product Safety and Metrology Regulations 2024, which includes ‘measuring container bottles’ and other supplier-side products relating to beauty. 

So, suppliers can now decide between using CE or UKCA marking, depending on what is most suitable for their products. Both of these markings signify that a product meets certain safety requirements; of the EU and UK respectively.

Since the UK left the European Union, beauty – and other – sectors have been grappling with unclear customs rules, increased trade complexity, and uncertainty around what is required of them to place products on either market.

Continued recognition of CE labelling therefore marks increased Government efforts to simplify trade in the post-Brexit era.

In light of this, the Department for Business and Trade have recently published detailed guidance on CE and UKCA labelling for EU businesses looking to place products on the UK market. 

The full guidance can be accessed through this link but we have shared the details below: 

Products can be placed on the UK market using UKCA marking where products are compliant with the EU essential requirements. 

Whereas, in order to place a product on the UK market using CE marking, you must demonstrate that the product is compliant with EU rules for all of the regulations that you are following.

In layman’s terms, in order to comply with UKCA marking requirements you only need to comply with essential requirements, whereas to obtain CE markings you need to submit an EU declaration of conformity (DoC). 

The good news is, if you are already producing products with the CE marking, they are still recognised as ‘safe’ without a UKCA marking. 

Businesses should consult this guidance to check what is required of them. You should also ensure that you are still, regardless of marking, complying with UK importer responsibilities.

If you need more information about trading with the EU, you should check out the British Beauty Council Trade Hub.