Great Britain accepts your CE mark

Manufacturers wishing to sell personal protective equipment (PPE) in Great Britain can use CE marking or UKCA marking.

Since 1 October 2024, Great Britain has continued to recognise CE marking indefinitely for PPE. In addition, the Fast-Track UKCA procedure allows manufacturers to use EU conformity assessment results as the basis for UKCA marking.

The following questions explain how these arrangements apply to PPE manufacturers, including manufacturers of Category III PPE.

Frequently asked questions

1. Is UKCA marking still mandatory for PPE sold in Great Britain?

No. CE marking is accepted in Great Britain without a separate UKCA certification. This applies to all three PPE categories, including Category III products such as respiratory protective equipment, fall protection equipment and certain protective gloves.

Great Britain comprises England, Scotland and Wales; different rules apply in Northern Ireland.

2. Can we sell CE-marked PPE in Great Britain using certificates issued by an EU notified body?

Yes. A manufacturer can place PPE on the Great Britain market using valid EU conformity assessment documentation, provided the product meets the applicable requirements. For Category II PPE, this includes EU type-examination (Module B); for Category III PPE, the manufacturer must also maintain the applicable conformity assessment procedure for production control (Module C2 or Module D).

A separate UK approved body assessment is not required when the manufacturer uses the recognised CE conformity route.

3. Can we also apply the UKCA marking using our existing EU certificates?

Yes. Under the Fast-Track UKCA procedure, EU conformity assessment can be used as the basis for UKCA marking: a manufacturer may use conformity assessment completed by an EU notified body without repeating the same assessment with a UK approved body.

The manufacturer must ensure that the applicable requirements of the Fast-Track UKCA procedure are satisfied and issue the appropriate UK Declaration of Conformity.

4. Does Fast-Track UKCA also apply to Category III PPE?

Yes. For Category III PPE, EU Module B certification and the applicable Module C2 or Module D conformity assessment can be relied upon under the Fast-Track UKCA route. This includes products such as fall arrest harnesses, respiratory protective equipment and other Category III PPE.

The manufacturer must ensure that the conformity assessment remains valid and that the product satisfies the applicable requirements.

5. Do we need a separate UK approved body or additional UK testing?

No, not when using the recognised EU conformity assessment route. Where the applicable EU conformity assessment has been completed by an EU notified body and the relevant requirements are satisfied, separate UK testing or certification is not generally necessary.

However, additional assessment may be necessary where the product has changed, the existing certification is no longer valid, or other applicable product legislation imposes additional requirements.

6. Can we apply both CE and UKCA markings to the same PPE?

Yes, dual marking is permitted. A manufacturer may apply both CE and UKCA markings to PPE where the relevant requirements are satisfied. Since 1 October 2024, the Fast-Track UKCA procedure has allowed manufacturers to use completed EU conformity assessment procedures as the basis for applying UKCA marking. Both markings must comply with the applicable marking requirements.

7. Do we need a separate UK Declaration of Conformity?

It depends on the marking route selected:

• CE marking only: the manufacturer uses the EU Declaration of Conformity;
• UKCA marking: the manufacturer must prepare a UK Declaration of Conformity;
• CE and UKCA dual marking: the manufacturer must satisfy the documentation requirements for both marking regimes.

Under Fast-Track UKCA, the UK Declaration of Conformity may rely on recognised EU conformity assessment procedures and relevant EU legislation. The manufacturer remains responsible for the accuracy and validity of the declaration.

8. Can an EU notified body’s Module B, C2 or D documents be used for UKCA marking?

Yes, under the Fast-Track UKCA route. A manufacturer may rely on EU conformity assessment evidence, including EU type-examination certificates and applicable production surveillance documentation.

The EU notified body does not automatically become a UK approved body, and the EU certificates do not become UK-issued certificates; instead, the UK regulatory framework recognises the relevant EU conformity assessment as a basis for demonstrating compliance. For Category III PPE, manufacturers should also verify the applicable identification-number requirements when applying UKCA marking.

9. Is UKCA marking required for PPE sold in Northern Ireland?

No. Northern Ireland follows a different conformity assessment regime: CE marking is generally required for PPE placed on the Northern Ireland market. Where an EU notified body carries out the required conformity assessment, CE marking is used; where an eligible UK body performs the relevant assessment under the Northern Ireland arrangements, CE marking accompanied by UKNI marking may be required. UKCA marking alone is not sufficient for placing PPE on the Northern Ireland market.

10. Can the same EU conformity assessment provide access to both the EU and Great Britain markets?

Yes. For PPE covered by the relevant recognition arrangements, a manufacturer can use the same EU conformity assessment as the basis for accessing both markets. For example, a manufacturer holding valid EU Module B and Module D conformity assessment documentation may:

• place CE-marked PPE on the EU market;
• place the same CE-marked PPE on the Great Britain market;
• apply UKCA marking under the Fast-Track UKCA procedure, subject to the applicable UK requirements.

This can reduce duplication of conformity assessment procedures and associated costs for manufacturers supplying both markets. Manufacturers must still comply with the applicable market-specific requirements, including importer obligations, product information, instructions and traceability.

Legal references and official UK Government guidance

1. Regulation 2016/425 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018 – Great BritainOfficial UK Government guidance explaining the PPE regulatory framework, recognition of CE marking, conformity assessment procedures, UKCA marking and the obligations of manufacturers and importers. Relevant sections: 5–9.
2. Fast-Track UKCA: UKCA and CE regimesUK Government guidance explaining how manufacturers may apply UKCA marking using recognised EU conformity assessment procedures, including assessments carried out by EU notified bodies. Published: 31 March 2026.
3. Product regulations by sector and current approaches to product marking: UKCA and CE regimesOfficial UK Government overview confirming the continued recognition of CE marking for PPE and the availability of both CE and UKCA marking for the Great Britain market. Published: 31 March 2026.
4. Placing products on the market under the UKCA and CE regimesUK Government guidance providing access to market-specific requirements, conformity assessment guidance and current marking arrangements for Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the EU.
5. Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) Regulations 2024The UK legislation introducing the indefinite recognition of CE marking for specified product sectors, including PPE, and the Fast-Track UKCA arrangements.