The Timber Research Institute, as a notified body for wood and wood-based materials, has entered into a cooperation agreement with CATG – a British approved certification body for wood, wood structures and wood-based materials. A manufacturer wishing to sell their products on the UK market with the UKCA mark can therefore contact the Timber Research Institute directly. Similarly, the Timber Research Institute will provide certification for CE marking for UK manufacturers.

This will avoid duplication of assessment and unnecessary financial and time burdens on manufacturers.

UKCA certification

Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on 1 January 2021, new labelling requirements for construction products intended to be placed on the market in the UK, including Northern Ireland, have been https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking .

Under these requirements, manufacturers are required to draw up a declaration of conformity and apply the UKCA marking to all their construction products that are covered by a ‘designated standard’ or conform to a ‘UK Technical Assessment’ (UKTA) that has been issued for them.

The UKCA mark is a key indicator of a product’s compliance with legislation and by placing it on a product, the manufacturer declares compliance with all the legal requirements for obtaining the UKCA mark.

“Designated standards” are published on the British Standards Institution’s (BSI) website. So far they correspond to the harmonised standards to Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products. However, this may change.

For construction products, the UKCA mark is now legally binding and is essential for the sale of specified construction products in the UK market.

Cooperation agreement for UKCA/CE designation

Conformity assessment activities for the UKCA mark are carried out by ‘UK Approved Bodies’. Where an approved body has carried out the assessment and issued the corresponding certificate, the manufacturer (or his authorised representative) must affix the UKCA mark.

Timber Research Institute, Prague, s.p., which is a notified body for wood and wood-based materials, has concluded a cooperation agreement with CATG – a British approved certification body for wood, wood structures and wood-based materials.

Based on a mutual agreement, CATG will provide UKCA certification based on the review of certification documents (certificates, surveillance reports, test reports) issued by VVÚD, Prague, s.p., so as to avoid duplication of assessment and unnecessary financial and time burden for the manufacturer. Similarly, VVÚD will provide certification for CE marking for UK manufacturers.

Transition period

At the end of 2022, the UK extended the transition period for existing products to continue to be CE marked on the basis of the relevant harmonised standard under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 until 30 June 2025.

A manufacturer wishing to sell their products on the UK market with the UKCA mark can therefore contact the Timber Research Institute directly at info(@)vvud.cz.