7th January 2021. 

If you are a manufacturer or distributor based in the UK or situated in the EU and need to know more about how the changes to ETA’s (European Technical Assessments) may affect you, this page is dedicated to answering the most topical questions on this subject.

Note: All answers are correct as of 7th January 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

In terms of European Assessment Document (EAD), will they be transferred to UKAD?

The BBA has been appointed as a UK Technical Assessment Body (UKTAB) by the UK Government, so this is something that the BBA are able to do. The full details of the mechanism for achieving this are currently the subject of negotiations between the UK Government, EOTA and the UKTABs.

Will an ETA (European Technical Assessment) issued by a UK TAB (Technical Assessment Body) prior to the 31st December 2020 continue to be valid after 1st January 2021?

They will continue to be valid for UKCA Marking.

They will not, however be valid for CE Marking, unless further agreement between the UK and EU is reached.

My ETA is issued by a Technical Assessment Body (TAB) in the EU. Can I use my existing technical file to support UKCA Marking?

Yes.

The Withdrawal Agreement makes it clear that both the EU and the UK are keen that operator do not have to double their efforts.

The BBA can work with you and our EU TAB partner to transfer technical file information so that the process of moving to a UK TAB and having a UKTA issued is as smooth as possible.

What happens for sales to the EU market if we have an ETA?

If you sell into the EU, you must have a CE Marking. Note that UK Government guidance states ‘If you’ve already placed your goods on the market in an EU country (or in the UK) before 1 January 2021, you do not need to do anything.’ Although you may need to change to a EU NB (Notified Body).

For the future, if you are placing new goods on the market in the EU and the UK, you may choose to have both CE Marking and UKCA Marking.

The BBA has arrangements in place with a European partner so that ETA technical files can be transferred between bodies to minimise duplication of conformity assessment. If this is necessary, you will enter a contract between you, the BBA and our European partner. The European TAB will then be able to reissue your ETA. Your CE Marking label will need to change to identify the new TAB.

Ask a Question

If your question isn’t answered below, get in touch and we’ll do our best to help with any query during these turbulent times.