Product Safety: What Does A CE or UKCA Mark Mean?

When you’re shopping for electronics, accessories, appliances, or toys and games, it’s important to read the labels and safety information before making a purchase.

If something has a CE or UKCA mark on it, it means that the product meets certain EU or UK standards regarding safety.

The CE marking stands for “Conformité Européenne” which is French for “European Conformity.”

The UKCA marking stands for “UK Conformity Assessed.”

Both are essentially the same, but one complies with EU directives, and one complies with UK regulation.

These markings are obligatory for most products manufactured in the EU or UK as well as some imported products. If a manufacturer doesn’t add this mark on their product, it can’t be sold in Europe or the UK.

This article will explain what the CE and UKCA mark means and why you should look for it when buying products like electronics, toys, games and appliances.

Below is a handy table of contents. Clicking on any of the article headers below will jump you straight to the place on this page you are interested in.

Table of Contents

UK Replaces CE Mark with UKCA Mark (IMPORTANT)

Depending on when you read this, you’ll either see a CE mark on a product or a UKCA mark.

From 31st December 2022, new products on the market which previously held CE markings will need the new UK derivative UKCA marking when being sold in the UK, which is the new safety marking for the UK after the UK left the EU.

However, it has been stated that older products still in circulation don’t need to be remarked with the new marking, so it’s likely that we will see CE marked products being sold in the UK without the new UKCA marking for some time to come.

Essentially though, it’s the same thing, with different names.

You can find more information about the new marking on the UK Government website.

What Does CE or UKCA Marking on a Product Mean?

CE marking stands for “Conformité Européenne” which is French for “European Conformity.”

The UKCA marking stands for “UK Conformity Assessed.”

These markings are obligatory for most products manufactured in the EU or UK as well as some imported products.

This means that a product must be tested and meet certain safety standards before it can be sold in Europe or the UK.

The purpose of the CE/UKCA mark is to show consumers that the product has been tested and verified as safe to use.

It’s a quick and easy way for shoppers to identify products that meet minimum safety standards.

Why is the CE or UKCA Marking Important?

The CE or UKCA marking is important because it lets consumers know that the product has been tested and verified as safe to use.

If a product has the CE/UKCA marking, it means that it’s been inspected by an approved EU-member state organization or UK regulation and meets specific safety standards.

Products that display the CE or UKCA marking are more than just compliant with safety standards – they’ve been tested and verified as safe to use. If you see a CE or UKCA marking on a product, you can be sure that it’s safe for use in the EU and/or the UK.

Just to test this out, I lifted the keyboard and mouse I am typing this article on, and one has both the CE and UKCA marking, and one has the CE marking on it only.

If a product doesn’t have the CE/UKCA marking, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s unsafe to use.

If a product doesn’t have the CE/UKCA marking, it simply means that it hasn’t been tested and verified as safe to use in Europe or the UK.

If you see a product that doesn’t have the CE marking, it might be better to be cautious and avoid buying it.

Which Electronic Devices Require the CE or UKCA Mark?

CE/UKCA marking on electronics refers to a wide variety of devices, including routers, modems, computers, printers, mobile phones, tablets, smart watches, e-readers, and more.

Simply put, if it’s connected to the internet or has an electric current running through it, it may need to be marked.

In general, almost all electronic devices that have moving parts, contain electricity, or contain magnets (such as speakers) will require a CE/UKCA marking.

There are no specific rules regarding which electronic devices need to be CE/UKCA marked, but there are general rules regarding what needs to be tested (a full list can found here).

All electronic devices that are sold in the EU must meet the general requirements for electrical safety as listed in the EU’s Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive.

Which Toys and Games Require the CE or UKCA Mark?

CE or UKCA marking on toys and games refers to any toys, puzzles, games, sports equipment, and children’s furniture that are designed for a child to use.

Those products are required to be CE/UKCA marked, which means that they’ve been tested and verified as safe to use by an EU-member state organization. They also meet the minimum safety standards for toys and games as listed in the EU Toy Safety Directive and the EU Toy Safety Regulation.

If a toy or game has the CE or UKCA marking, it means that it’s been tested and verified as safe to use.

It’s important to look for the safety markings on toys, games, and other children’s products because they can pose serious health risks if they’re not properly made.

When toys and games break the EU or UK safety standards, it can lead to serious injury or even death for children.

Which Appliances Require the CE or UKCA Mark?

CE/UKCA marking on appliances refers to any household appliances that have an integrated power source, including refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, and ovens.

Appliances also include tools and equipment that are used in and around the house, such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, and garden sprayers.

Those products are required to be safety marked, which means that they’ve been tested and verified as safe to use by an EU-member state organization or UK regulation. They also meet the minimum safety standards for household appliances as listed in the EU Appliance Directive and corresponding UK regs.

If an appliance has the CE/UKCA marking, it means that it’s been tested and verified as safe to use.

Simply put, if a product doesn’t have the CE/UKCA marking, it simply means that it hasn’t been tested and verified as safe to use in Europe or the UK

Buying Online

Of course, purchasing a product online may mean you don’t have the chance to inspect the item and look for the safety markings.

Buying items from reputable online stores reduces the chance of getting something that is either CE marked or UKCA marked.

Unregulated marketplaces, such as Gumtree, Facebook marketplace and the likes of eBay offer a greater potential of products not having the necessary safety markings on.

I’ve talked about this in other articles, especially the dangers of buying things like vaping devices from marketplaces that may have escaped the safety processes and could pose a danger to you and your family.

Summary

When you’re shopping for products, it’s important to know what to look for on the label.

If something has a CE and/or UKCA mark on it, it means:

The product meets and conforms to EU regulations
The product meets and conforms to UK regualtions
The product has been tested
The product has passed general safety tests

The CE marking is used to show consumers that a product has been tested and verified as safe to use. Of course, even with testing and safety regulations followed, it doesn’t mean a product is 100% safe, but it certainly gves reassurances that some testing and regulation has been followed.

It’s an easy way to identify products that meet minimum safety standards.

If a product doesn’t have the CE marking, it doesn’t mean that it’s unsafe to use. Simply put, it simply means that it hasn’t been tested and verified as safe to use in Europe.

Questions & Comments

If you have a question or a comment on this article, please use the comments box below.

I’ll try my best to reply to each and every one of your questions, comments and suggestions.

Stay Safe. Stay Secure.