Foreign businesses exporting goods to the United Kingdom must meet stringent product compliance and certification standards to access the UK market legally and competitively. From electronics and consumer goods to machinery and medical devices, UK regulations ensure that only safe, environmentally responsible, and accurately labelled products reach consumers.
Post-Brexit, the UK operates under its own set of product conformity rules, distinct from the EU’s CE marking system. Failure to comply can result in customs delays, enforcement actions, product recalls, and reputational damage.
At Fraser Bond, we assist foreign manufacturers, suppliers, and importers in navigating the UK’s regulatory landscape by connecting them with trusted compliance and certification partners.
Product compliance refers to meeting all legal, technical, safety, and labelling requirements necessary for a product to be sold or distributed in the UK. It typically involves:
Adhering to applicable UK regulations or standards
Conducting conformity assessments
Labelling and marking products correctly
Preparing and maintaining technical documentation
Issuing a Declaration of Conformity or Declaration of Performance
UK product regulations are enforced by market surveillance authorities such as Trading Standards, MHRA, and OPSS depending on the product type.
Since 1 January 2021, the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking has replaced CE marking for most products sold in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales). CE marking is still accepted in Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
UKCA covers most products previously under CE, including electronics, toys, machinery, and construction goods.
UKCA marking must be applied to goods sold in Great Britain unless an exemption applies.
Certain products require third-party conformity assessment by UK-approved bodies.
Label placement, technical files, and documentation must follow UK-specific rules.
Foreign businesses must ensure compliance if exporting any of the following to the UK:
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
Machinery and industrial tools
Construction products
Medical devices and PPE
Toys, furniture, and textiles
Gas appliances and pressure equipment
Measuring instruments and weights
Cosmetics, food, and chemicals
Each product type is governed by specific UK statutory instruments (SIs), many of which are derived from legacy EU regulations but now operate independently.
UK product compliance follows one or more of these pathways:
Self-Certification
For low-risk products, manufacturers may declare conformity based on internal testing and UK regulations.
Third-Party Testing or Certification
For higher-risk items, independent testing by a UK-recognised conformity assessment body is required.
UK Approved Bodies
Foreign businesses must work with UK Approved Bodies, not EU Notified Bodies, for UKCA marking in most regulated sectors.
Fraser Bond collaborates with leading product compliance consultants and certification labs to help foreign businesses:
Determine applicable UK regulations and marking schemes
Engage UK Approved Bodies for conformity assessment
Prepare technical documentation and declarations
Coordinate product testing and certification processes
Ensure proper labelling and product marking for UKCA
Integrate compliance with customs clearance and import logistics
We support companies in sectors ranging from industrial manufacturing and consumer electronics to healthcare, construction, and retail.
Using CE marking only for goods entering Great Britain
Incorrect or missing UKCA documentation or placement
Assuming EU conformity assessments are valid in the UK
Neglecting updates to UK regulations and safety standards
Failing to register regulated products with UK authorities (e.g., MHRA for medical devices)
With Fraser Bond’s support, foreign businesses can avoid these costly missteps and ensure smooth market entry.
Product compliance and certification are fundamental to legal market access and customer trust in the UK. For foreign manufacturers and exporters, understanding the UK’s regulatory framework—and securing proper certification—is not optional.
Fraser Bond offers end-to-end support through trusted compliance experts and certification bodies, ensuring your products meet UK standards and are ready for commercial success.
