Brexit Update: EU Commission Clarifies CE Marking Changes for Stakeholders

It’s official: The European Commission has officially issued a “Notice to Stakeholders” detailing the implications of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union on CE Marking compliance. This notice, released ahead of the tentative withdrawal date of March 30, 2019, also addresses the consequences for conformity assessment procedures and Notified Bodies.

Notice to Stakeholders about BREXIT

EU Commission “Notice to Stakeholders” – BREXIT and its effect on role of Notified Bodies

As of the withdrawal date, EU rules for products placed on the EU market will no longer apply to the UK. This change will significantly impact economic operators, especially concerning conformity assessment and the role of Notified Bodies.

The current legislation mandates that Notified Bodies must be established in an EU Member State and designated by a Member State’s notifying authority to perform conformity assessment tasks. Consequently, from the withdrawal date onward, UK Notified Bodies will lose their status as EU Notified Bodies and will be removed from the Commission’s NANDO database (European Commission “Notice to Stakeholders”, 2018).

Full details here

LabTest EU BREXIT

Key Changes & Implications

  1. Notified Body Status:
    UK conformity assessment bodies will be removed from the NANDO database, invalidating their authority for EU certifications.

  2. Market Access:
    Products certified by UK bodies after Brexit cannot be placed on the EU market without re-certification.

  3. Technical Documentation:
    Manufacturers must ensure authorized representatives are established within the EU/EEA.

Steps for Compliance

  • Transition Certifications: Transfer existing UK Notified Body assessments to EU-recognized entities (e.g., LabTest).

  • Dual Compliance: For UK market access, implement UKCA marking alongside CE requirements.

  • Documentation Review: Update technical files to reflect EU-based authorized representatives.

Internal Resources

External Reference
Full EU Notice to Stakeholders:
European Commission Brexit Guidance

Why This Matters

  • Risk Mitigation: Avoid product recalls or border rejections.

  • Cost Control: Consolidate testing with labs covering both UKCA and CE requirements.

  • Timeline: Allow 6–8 months for recertification of complex products.