This announcement comes as a much-needed relief. Eliminating the usage of the CE mark, even solely for the UK internal market, would entail considerable expenses at a time of ongoing inflationary pressures.
This result means businesses will be able to choose between either system or utilise both, providing much needed flexibility. Moreover, this development will greatly benefit businesses in Northern Ireland and Great Britain by enhancing the functionality of the Windsor Framework.
Commenting on the announcement that the CE safety mark can be used indefinitely in the UK, Amber Sedki-Farag, Policy and Programme Manager at Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce said: “The Chamber welcomes the UK’s Government decision that the indefinite CE mark recognition will be held beyond the 2024 deadline, this is a most welcome respite for businesses. While this is welcome news, we are mindful of the additional costs and administration that have already been incurred by many businesses in preparing for the looming unnecessary cliff edge in 2024 and we would like to thank our members for their support in our efforts to lobby Government on expediting this decision”.
Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce William Bain said: “Businesses will breathe a sigh of relief that the Government has decided to take a pragmatic approach to the safety marking of products sold in Great Britain.
“BCC research carried out in 2021 found that only 8% of business were in favour of getting rid of the current EU marking system, called CE, by the start of 2023, and 59% of businesses, affected by the decision, wanted to keep it.
“They saw strong benefits in retaining the most recognised system for testing and marking of industrial and electrical goods for business. Having to use two marking systems, one for in the UK and one for the EU market, would have also led to limited choice for customers if firms decided not to do both.
“The BCC strongly made the case for continued use of CE marking to Government for more than two years. It is a relief to see the strong voice of businesses across the UK being acted upon.
“Now we must develop processes for regulatory co-operation between the EU and UK, so that businesses can avoid any unnecessary cliff-edges on the introduction of future regulations affecting UK-EU trade in goods.”
