Clarity needed on post-Brexit product markings after confusing announcement

The Prime Minister has been told to urgently clarify government advice to manufacturers after an announcement by the Department for Business and Trade has caused even greater uncertainty on what markings they are required to use on their products.

Yesterday morning, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) announced that “the UK Government” would indefinitely extend the recognition of the EU’s CE marking for product safety. 

The news was welcomed by manufacturing industries who had previously expressed concerns that the introduction of a new UK marking would increase costs and red tape with no clear benefit for businesses, regulators or consumers.

However, DBT published a revised announcement yesterday afternoon clarifying that the recognition of the CE marking would only apply to “18 regulations owned by DBT”  with the omission of key industries prompting anger from the trade bodies representing them.

In June, the UK Trade and Business Commission made clear recommendations to the UK Government to postpone the introduction of the UK marking until such a time as it became beneficial.

Co-convener of UK Trade and Business Commission, Hilary Benn MP  who had welcomed the original statement from DBT said, 

“What should have been a  positive announcement has turned into a total mess which has caused a great deal of confusion and frustration for some industries who thought they were gaining certainty. 

“The UKCA marking idea was only going to create additional costs and red tape and therefore removing it is the correct decision. The Prime Minister must, however, explain why some industries are now being told that they still have to use it while most others do not.”