From ETA to UKTA – What you need to know and how the process works from the UK’s first UKTA (UK Technical Assessment) Body.
If you are a manufacturer or distributor based in the UK or situated in the EU, it’s important that you understand the changes that are happening as they may affect your trading capabilities. This is especially true with CE Marking and the introduction for UKCA Marking. For example. If a product is NOT covered by a Designated Standard, UKCA Marking is voluntary and therefore a UKTA will be required to achieve this mark.
What is a UKTA?
A UKTA is a United Kingdom Technical Assessment which is the means for non-harmonised products to achieve UKCA Marking. The UKTA is the UK equivalent of ETA’s (European Technical Assessments) for non-harmonised products to achieve CE Marking in Europe.
The BBA can support and guide you through these changes for both the UK and EU markets.
To make sure we are serving all BBA clients with the most relevant information we are keeping up to date with all UK Government, EU and industry guidance, continuing our strong relationship with the key players within the construction industry.
We will continue to inform you and refresh the information found on the BBA website in line with the latest communication and regulatory updates.
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
In line with Government advice pre the Agreement with the EU, where pemitted the BBA intends to accept existing reports from EU Notified Bodies for UKCA and UKTAs. However, this is conditional on the confirmation of the UK position by the Government; the BBA is working with DLUHC and BEIS to resolve the issue. If either of these is essential to your business, get in touch with the BBA to discuss your requirements and develop a product roadmap.
BBA Agrément and HAPAS Certificates are unaffected by BREXIT.
The BBA will also continue its wide range of activities that are independent of the UK’s status within the EU.
What is UKCA Marking?
UKCA Marking will replace CE Marking for any applicable products that are or will be placed in the GB market.
Mandatory for NEW applicable products placed on the GB market when these changes take effect.
Mandatory for ALL applicable products placed on the GB market when these changes take effect.
Existing CE Marking will be recognised in the GB until these changes take effect.
Note: Conformity tasks must be carried out by a UK Approved Body.
www.gov.uk/guidance/construction-products-regulation-from-1-january-2021
What is UKTA?
A UKTA is a United Kingdom Technical Assessment which is the means for non-harmonised products to achieve UKCA Marking. The UKTA is the UK equivalent of ETA’s (European Technical Assessments) for non-harmonised products to achieve CE Marking in Europe. UKCA Marking for products covered by harmonised / designated standards is mandatory, whilst the UKTA route is voluntary.
UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) Marking is a new UK product marking that is used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). It covers most goods which previously required the CE marking, known as ‘new approach’ goods.
The UKCA Marking came into effect on 1 January 2021. However, to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, you will still be able to use the CE Marking until 30 June 2025 in most cases.
UKTA’s can be issued by UK-based Technical Assessment Bodies. Assessed products may then be affixed with UKCA Marking.
Why Convert to UKTA?
We want to make your conversion from ETA to UKTA as easy as possible and take the hassle out of this process away, leaving you to focus on what you do best.
If you are unsure as to the benefits of converting to a UKTA, see the list below:
- Recognised by UK specifiers
- Access to the UK Market
- Simple and quick conversion process
- Uses your existing ETA for ease of conversion
- Working with your existing EU Technical Assessment Body to keep things simple
- Future specification may demand UKTA
- ETAs will no longer be recognised in the UK when these changes take effect.
- UKTA’s can be a quick and simple route towards a UKCA Marking
- Allows the use of UKCA Marking on products not covered by Designated Standards (formerly harmonised European Standard)
- Acts as a stepping stone towards gaining a national technical approval – a fully-fledged BBA Agrément Certificate
The 4 Easy Steps to UKTA Conversion
1. Application
It’s simple, contact the BBA. Include your ETA numbers and the European issuing body & submit this to: [email protected]
2. Programme of Work
We will prepare all the appropriate documents and issue a programme of work based on:
a) Evaluation Report from issuing TAB
b) Associated Test reports (if required)
c) Manufacturers technical file / FP
3. Data Assessment
We will work with your existing EU Technical Assessment Body and evaluate the data. You don’t have to lift a finger.
4. UKTA Issued
We issue your UKTA to support your UKCA Marking (this takes approximately 2 months from receipt of data).
Things you need to consider
UKTA conversions will depend on a number of factors which the BBA can discuss with you before progressing down this route:
- The nation in which your company is based
- The markets you sell into
- Your current ETA investment
- If UKCA marking is a requirement or not
- Whether your product is covered by a UK Designated Standard or not
- Whether your third-party conformity tasks are carried out by a UK or EU notified body
- Whether it is an existing product or a new product
What else can we do to help?
To help with this transition and other Brexit related matters BBA will be able to:
- Prepare UK Assessment Documents, and issue UKTA’s (if you choose to voluntarily UKCA and/or UKNI Mark a product that is not associated with a Designated Standard)
- Liaise with our European partners to minimise disruption and make the conversion process seamless
- Offer Factory Production Control certification if you need a third-party inspection
- Combine activities to save you time and money – for example, by combining Agrément factory production control visits with FPC 2+ visits and management systems certification (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001)
There is additional information for all our clients that currently hold a BBA product, in a post that was issued 28th September 2020 – The Impact of BREXIT on Your BBA Products
The UK Government sources below can help if you require any further detailed information that is not provided on the BBA website. You can also ask us directly using the FAQ section or get in touch with us using [email protected] and we will try to provide the information you need.
The EU Construction Products Regulation
UK adoption of CPR as a ‘designated standard’
UK Government guidance on the CPR from 1-1-2021
UK Government – placing goods on the UK market
UK Government – using the UKCA mark
Product Labelling:
Northern Ireland Information: Construction Products Regulation in Northern Ireland – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
UK information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-mark-from-1-january-2021
How to use the UKCA Mark BBA article: https://www.bbacerts.co.uk/2021/03/19/using-the-ukca-marking-logo/
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