Timber Development UK (TDUK) has called for the next government to commit to indefinitely recognising the CE marking on construction products in line with all other CE marked products
In a trade note released by Timber Development UK, the organisation has called for the next government in power after the general election to take decisive steps on CE marking on construction products.
As part of the UK’s leaving the European Union, the government expressed its intention to replace the marking on construction products with a homegrown alternative, the UK Conformity Assured UKCA.
The 2025 deadline looms, with no legislation in sight
The current government has stated: “Our intention is to end recognition of the CE mark in GB on 30 June 2025. Current rules, which allow for continued recognition of the CE mark, will remain in place until legislation is laid to end recognition of the CE mark.”
However, there has been no consultation or draft legislation published to meet the 2025 target to end recognition of the marking.
In fact, the UK’s recognition of the European marking for many products outside of construction materials has been extended indefinitely.
TDUK’s message to the government is as follows:
“TDUK is calling on the government to remove the uncertainty for UK business and announce CE marking on construction products will be recognised indefinitely in the UK in line with the recent announcement on all other CE marked products.
“This simple route recognises that CE marking is fundamentally about market access and will support the existing UK/EU trade agreement.
“It will also free the resources of Government and industry to concentrate on the development of a UK construction product safety system that supports UK construction, rather than simply overseeing products being placed on the market.”
Concerns have been raised thorughout the process about the extra costs the UKCA mark might burden businesses with, with Peter Caplehorn, CPA chief executive, saying in 2022: “With the longer term in mind, we must also ask government ministers to re-consider the usefulness of the CA Mark policy, and whether a more reasonable, practical solution exists to help achieve the right aims but avoid further and unnecessary loss of time, money and resources. This continues to have a significant impact on investment, innovation, and growth of the sector.”
