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Industry figures have called for clarity around product-marking regulations after the government signalled it may allow alignment with European standards to continue.
This week’s King’s Speech, the first under Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership, contained plans to bring forward a Product Safety and Metrology Bill.
Background papers published after the speech state that it will ensure “that the law can be updated to recognise new or updated EU product regulations, including the CE marking, where appropriate to prevent additional costs for businesses and provide regulatory stability”.
However, it adds that “the legislation will also ensure the UK can end recognition of EU product regulations, where it is in the best interests of UK businesses and consumers”.
The new UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark is due to replace the long-used CE mark for construction products after 30 June 2025. This means products will need to be tested and certified under new standards, in a move previously criticised as a waste of resources and time.
The change has been repeatedly delayed, and plans to make other sectors switch to UKCA were scrapped last summer, but continued for construction.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said the bill aims to “preserve our status as a global leader in product regulation, supporting businesses and protecting consumers”.
However, they would not confirm whether its measures would include construction products, stating that more details would be “set out in due course”.
Construction Products Association chief executive Peter Caplehorn said the information provided so far was unclear, but it was “interesting”.
He said: “We currently await decisions on the [UK]CA mark for construction products, clarity over a lot of product regulations and the designation processes.
“There are a lot of issues that need resolution before our sector can grow and support the government’s aspiration to a bigger economy and help [build] houses, schools, hospitals and prisons.”
He added: “The supply chain is pan-European if not global – this has to be recognised if we want the benefits that this £90bn sector can provide.”
Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) chief executive Iain McIlwee said it was important that product regulation is being raised as a key issue by policymakers.
“We need to get on top of this and fast as the current approach means that UK manufacturers are disadvantaged against EU competitors and all manufacturers face unwarranted compliance costs and complexities which at times means they need to re-test and represent perfectly good information – this clogs up test rigs and diverts resource away from vital testing to support innovation,” he said.
“A real challenge is that construction is being looked at separately here from the way other products are being managed. This makes no sense whatsoever and we are in danger of being a bit of a backwater.”
The product rules apply to England, Scotland and Wales only, as the Windsor Framework means EU regulations remain in effect in Northern Ireland.
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