Great Britain
Navigate Great Britain's post-Brexit regulatory regime with UK product safety rules, flexible CE/UKCA marking options, and access to one of Europe's largest and most mature consumer markets.
Key Requirements Overview
CE & UKCA
CE marking recognised indefinitely for most DBT-regulated goods; UKCA remains a valid GB conformity mark
UK Product Safety
UK General Product Safety Regulations and sector-specific rules
Environmental & EPR
UK RoHS, UK REACH, WEEE and packaging Extended Producer Responsibility
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Great Britain Market Overview
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) accounts for the majority of the UK's population and economic output. Since Brexit, Great Britain has developed its own product safety and conformity assessment framework, while remaining closely aligned with many former EU rules. For most mainstream manufactured goods, businesses can choose to use CE marking (recognised indefinitely for many regulations) or UKCA marking when placing products on the GB market.
Market Characteristics
Post-Brexit Regulatory Landscape in Great Britain
Since 1 January 2021, Great Britain has operated its own product safety and conformity assessment regime, separate from the EU and from Northern Ireland. Most requirements are now set out in UK statutory instruments that mirror former EU directives, supported by "designated standards" (typically BS EN/BS ISO).
For 18 key product regulations overseen by the Department for Business and Trade, CE marking is recognised on an indefinite basis for the GB market, while UKCA remains a valid and future-proof GB conformity mark. Certain sectors (such as medical devices and construction products) have their own GB rules and transitional timelines, so manufacturers must check the regime applicable to their product.
Relationship with Northern Ireland
This page covers products placed on the Great Britain market (England, Scotland and Wales). Products placed on the Northern Ireland market generally follow EU product rules and require CE marking (with UKNI where a UK-based conformity assessment body is used). Qualifying Northern Ireland goods can usually move into Great Britain under special rules, but the manufacturer still needs to meet the correct requirements for each destination market.
View Northern Ireland requirementsQuick Facts
- Official Language
- English
- Currency
- Pound Sterling (£)
- Market Area
- Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales – distinct regime from Northern Ireland)
- Regulatory Body
- Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and local Trading Standards / sector regulators (e.g. MHRA, HSE)
- Standards Organization
- BSI (British Standards Institution) – publishes UK "designated standards" (BS EN / BS ISO)
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Our experts help you navigate CE vs UKCA choices, UK product safety rules, and GB-specific environmental and EPR obligations.
Contact GB ExpertKey Great Britain regulations
Understanding the regulatory landscape in post-Brexit Great Britain
CE & UKCA Marking in Great Britain
CE and UKCA marking options for the GB market under the post-Brexit product safety regime.
Product Safety
UK product safety framework for Great Britain covering consumer products and sector-specific requirements.
Environmental & Chemical Requirements
UK environmental and chemical regulations for Great Britain including RoHS, REACH, WEEE and packaging EPR.
Medical Devices
GB medical device framework with transitional acceptance of CE marking and the emerging UKCA route.
PPE & Construction
GB regimes for personal protective equipment, construction products, gas appliances and pressure equipment.
Labelling Requirements
Product labelling requirements for the Great Britain market including manufacturer details and safety information.
Requirements by product category
Key compliance requirements for different product types in Great Britain
Electronics & Electrical
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CE / UKCA MarkingMost electrical and electronic products in GB fall under safety, EMC and radio regulations where CE and UKCA are both accepted routes
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UK RoHS ComplianceCompliance with GB RoHS Regulations for restricted substances
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WEEE Producer ObligationsRegistration and reporting for WEEE where thresholds are met
Machinery & Equipment
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Supply of MachineryUK Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations for GB
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Designated StandardsUse BS EN / BS ISO machinery safety standards (e.g. EN ISO 12100) as "designated standards"
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Declaration of ConformityUK Declaration of Conformity for GB, referencing the relevant UK statutory instruments
Toys & Children's Products
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Toys (Safety) RegulationsGB toy safety regime based on former EU rules
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Safety & Chemical LimitsMechanical, physical and chemical requirements (including EN 71 series as designated standards)
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Third-Party TestingIndependent testing recommended/required depending on toy type and risk
Medical Devices
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UK MDR 2002GB rules for medical devices and in vitro diagnostics
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CE and UKCACE-marked devices accepted during transitional period; UKCA available as the GB device mark
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MHRA Registration & UKRPDevices placed on the GB market must be registered with MHRA; non-UK manufacturers require a UK Responsible Person
Your Great Britain compliance process
Follow these steps to ensure your products meet Great Britain requirements
Product Classification
Identify the UK statutory instruments and GB product regulations that apply to your product (e.g. electrical safety, EMC, toys, machinery, PPE).
Typical Timeline:
1-2 days
SANTIQ Support:
Free product assessment
Standards Identification
Determine which UK "designated standards" (BS EN / BS ISO) apply and how they demonstrate conformity with the essential safety requirements.
Typical Timeline:
2-3 days
SANTIQ Support:
Standards gap analysis
Testing & Assessment
Plan and carry out required testing at suitably accredited laboratories (for example, UKAS-accredited labs for UKCA, or labs recognised for CE where you intend to use CE in GB). Compile test reports and risk assessments.
Typical Timeline:
2-6 weeks
SANTIQ Support:
Testing coordination
Technical Documentation
Prepare a GB technical file covering design, risk assessment, test reports, manufacturing controls and user information to support CE and/or UKCA marking.
Typical Timeline:
1-2 weeks
SANTIQ Support:
Document preparation
Declaration & CE/UKCA Marking
Issue a UK Declaration of Conformity for Great Britain, referencing the relevant UK regulations and designated standards, and affix the CE and/or UKCA marking to your product and packaging as appropriate.
Typical Timeline:
1 day
SANTIQ Support:
DoC templates & review
Required documentation for Great Britain
Essential documents needed for CE/UKCA marking and GB compliance
Technical File Contents
Required technical documentation to support CE/UKCA marking:
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Product DescriptionGeneral description, intended use, variants and model list
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Design & ManufacturingDrawings, schematics, critical components, BOM, manufacturing controls
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Risk AssessmentHazard analysis and risk reduction measures
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Test ReportsRelevant test reports (CE and/or UKCA) from accredited or otherwise competent labs
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User InstructionsInstructions for use, installation, disposal and safety warnings in English
UK Declaration of Conformity (Great Britain)
Required declaration elements for GB market:
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Manufacturer DetailsName and UK address of the manufacturer or GB importer; UK Responsible Person where required
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Product IdentificationModel, type, batch or serial number and product description
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Applicable RegulationsList of UK statutory instruments (UK regulations) applying in Great Britain
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Designated Standards AppliedList of BS EN / BS ISO "designated standards" used to demonstrate conformity
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Signature & DateAuthorised GB signatory, place and date of issue
Document Retention Requirements
Technical documentation for products placed on the Great Britain market should generally be retained for at least 10 years after the last unit is placed on the market. Authorities (such as Trading Standards and OPSS) may request access to the documentation during this period.
Recent regulatory updates
Latest changes and important announcements affecting Great Britain
Indefinite Recognition of CE Marking in Great Britain
The UK government has announced an indefinite extension to the use of the CE mark for 18 product regulations overseen by the Department for Business and Trade. For most mainstream goods (such as electrical equipment, EMC, radio equipment, machinery and toys), businesses may continue to use CE marking for the GB market, use UKCA, or use both, subject to product-specific requirements.
Learn moreProduct Regulation and Metrology Reforms
The UK is reforming its product safety and metrology framework to modernise the General Product Safety regime and provide more flexibility to recognise or diverge from EU rules. A Product Regulation and Metrology Bill is progressing through Parliament, and businesses should monitor OPSS guidance for updates to the GB product safety framework.
Learn moreExtended Producer Responsibility for Packaging
Under new UK packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, producers must report packaging data and will be charged fees based on the type and quantity of packaging they place on the UK market. Fees based on 2024 data are expected from 2025 onwards, with modulated fees ramping up from 2026.
EPR compliance guidanceStay Updated on Great Britain Regulations
Get monthly updates on regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and industry insights.
Ready to Enter the Great Britain Market?
Our experts help you navigate CE vs UKCA marking, UK product safety rules and environmental/EPR obligations for Great Britain. Build a GB-proof compliance strategy that also supports exports to Northern Ireland, the EU and global markets.
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- CE vs UKCA strategy and documentation support
- Ongoing GB regulatory monitoring and alerts