ETIRA warns members of challenges ahead following introduction of UKCA marking
July 29, 2021
The European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA) is warning its members of challenges ahead, following new guidance issued by the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
The guidance from BEIS follows the introduction of the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking in January 2021 and advises businesses that if they use the ‘CE’ marking to sell certain products in Great Britain, action must be taken to comply with the new labelling rules before 1 January 2022 – when the CE label will no longer be recognised in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).
Javier Martinez, president of ETIRA, said: “From 1 January 2022, manufacturers, importers and retailers that sell products across the UK, Northern Ireland and the EU, could be faced with significant challenges as they will require up to three different labels to conform with each territory’s regulations, the CE mark for European transactions, and then the UKCA for the UK and possibly a UKNI mark for Northern Ireland.
“Whereas previously the CE mark enabled products to be sold across all areas, this means there will soon be different standards to comply with for each market, causing a logistical nightmare for those who move goods across Europe and the UK, as many within our sector do.”
The UKCA marking came into effect on 1 January 2021 as part of a new domestic goods regulation following the UK’s exit from the EU. The marking applies to most goods that previously required the CE label.
Javier added: “We are yet to hear if these changes will also apply to the movement and remanufacture of empty printer cartridges but, if it does, that will further hamper the industry’s efforts to encourage reuse, significantly limiting the market size unless remanufacturers are prepared to invest in securing all three certifications.
“We are urging our members to look further into this new guidance and how it affects them, so that they can best prepare for any changes and conformity testing that they may need to undertake, before the end of the year.”
Businesses are still able to use the CE marking until 1 January 2022 in most cases. Existing stock can continue to be sold in Great Britain with a CE marking until then, but must be placed on the market before 31 December 2021.
For further information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain