On the 16th October 2020 the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) issued a statement to clarify the recognition of accredited certification within the European Union (EU) from 2021.
16 October, 2020
UKAS has become aware of articles and statements in the press and other forms of media suggesting that the EU will no longer recognise the validity of UKAS accreditation from the beginning of 2021 (i.e. end of the Brexit transition period), which will impact upon the acceptability of certificates and reports issued by UKAS accredited bodies. There appears to be some confusion about the areas where recognition will cease, and we wish to clarify the situation.
UKAS recognises that where European legislation requires accreditation to be delivered by a national accreditation body, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008, the European Commission will no longer accept UKAS accreditation. Therefore, UK-based bodies formally appointed as EU Notified Bodies for the purposes of CE marking will no longer be able to provide valid certificates/reports for this purpose. However, UKAS accreditation for any other conformity assessment activities not linked to EU Regulation or to EU schemes, will continue to be valid.
UKAS shall remain a full member of European and International Mutual Recognition Agreements (such as the European cooperation for Accreditation, International Accreditation Forum and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) which means that all UKAS accredited certificates and reports (with the exception of those related to EU Regulations/Directives and Schemes) shall continue to be recognised within Europe and around the world.
For further information please contact your Assessment Manager if you are a UKAS accredited body, or speak to your test, inspection and/or certification body provider.
Additional useful information on what businesses will need to do from 1 January 2021 has been published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and can be accessed via the following links:
Placing manufactured goods on the market in Great Britain from 1 January 2021
Placing manufactured goods on the market in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021
Placing manufactured goods on the EU market from 1 January 2021
Using the UKCA mark from 1 January 2021
Conformity assessment bodies: change of status from 1 January 2021