It’s official: the European Commission has published a “Notice to Stakeholders” regarding the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the effect it will have on CE Marking.
The Notice also covers consequences for Conformity Assessment procedures and Notified Bodies. As of March 30, 2019 (tentative withdrawal date), the United Kingdom will cease to be part of the European Union.
While the content of a possible withdrawal agreement is still uncertain, as of the withdrawal date, the European Union rules for products placed on the EU market, after such date, will no longer apply to the United Kingdom. Many will be affected, especially economic operators.
Some of the guidelines for the upcoming changes are already being drafted out, with special attention dedicated to Conformity Assessment and how the withdrawal will affect the role of Notified Bodies.
The current legislation requires Notified Bodies to be established in a Member State and be designated by a Member State notifying authority for performing conformity assessment tasks. Therefore, as from the withdrawal date, UK Notified Bodies will lose their status as EU Notified Bodies and will be removed from the Commission’s information system on notified organizations – NANDO database (European Commission “Notice to Stakeholders”, 2018).