Quick Answer
Quick Answer
UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking replaced CE marking for construction steel products placed on the Great Britain market from 1 July 2025. Compliant steel mill test certificates must reference the applicable UK-adopted standard, name a UKAS-approved body with its UK(AB) number, and include or reference a UK Declaration of Performance (UK DoP). CE marking remains valid in Northern Ireland and the EU.
UKCA is the UK's post-Brexit product conformity marking system, administered by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and implemented through the UK Construction Products Regulation (UK CPR). For steel, it applies to products that are permanently incorporated into construction works and fall within the scope of a harmonised UK standard. This page is a compliance guide — it explains what UKCA means in practice for structural steel MTCs, which steel products are in scope, and exactly what an auditor checks when reviewing a UKCA-compliant certificate.
Scope and Applicability
Which steel products require UKCA marking?
Steel products requiring UKCA marking on the GB market are those covered by harmonised UK standards (hUKS) under the UK CPR. The key product families and their governing standards are:
| Steel product family | Standard | Typical products |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-rolled structural sections and plates | BS EN 10025 (Parts 1–6) | I-beams, angles, flats, plates for building frames |
| Hot-finished structural hollow sections | EN 10210-1 | CHS, RHS, SHS used as columns and struts |
| Cold-formed structural hollow sections | EN 10219-1 | Thin-wall hollow sections in lighter structures |
| Reinforcing bar and coil | BS 4449:2005+A3 | Rebar for concrete slabs, columns, foundations |
| Welded fabric (mesh) | BS 4483 | Reinforcing mesh for slabs |
| Weathering steel hollow sections | BS 7668 | Exposed architectural and bridge hollow sections |
| Steel wire for concrete reinforcement | EN 10138 (where applicable) | Prestressing tendons, bonded post-tensioning |
Products outside UK CPR scope (do not require UKCA): steel products used exclusively in mechanical engineering, pressure vessels, pipelines, or other non-construction applications. These are governed by separate UK product regulations (UKCA under UKSI 2016/1105, PSSR, etc.).
The Attestation of Constancy of Performance (SACP) System
Under the UK CPR, each harmonised standard specifies an SACP level that determines the role of the UK Approved Body:
| SACP Level | Manufacturer's role | UK Approved Body role | Typical steel products |
|---|---|---|---|
| System 1+ | Type testing, FPC | Type testing, ongoing product testing, FPC certification, surveillance | Safety-critical products |
| System 2+ | Type testing, FPC | FPC certification and surveillance only | Most structural steel (EN 10025, EN 10210) |
| System 3 | Type testing only | Type testing only | Some non-structural products |
| System 4 | Full self-declaration | None | Low-risk products |
Structural steel (BS EN 10025, EN 10210, EN 10219, BS 4449) is classified as System 2+. Under System 2+, the manufacturer performs all product testing and issues the UK DoP self-certified. The UK Approved Body (UKAS-accredited) audits and certifies the factory production control system and conducts ongoing surveillance visits — but does not certify individual product batches.
UK Declaration of Performance (UK DoP)
The UK DoP is the formal document in which a manufacturer declares that a construction product meets its stated essential characteristics under an applicable UK standard. It replaces the EU Declaration of Performance (EU DoP) for GB market products.
Mandatory content of a UK DoP for structural steel
A UK DoP for structural steel must contain:
| Field | Required content |
|---|---|
| 1. Unique identification code | A unique reference number for the DoP |
| 2. Intended use | The specific construction purpose (e.g. "structural steel for building and civil engineering structures") |
| 3. Manufacturer's details | Name, registered address, and contact information |
| 4. Authorised representative (if applicable) | Name and address of EU/UK agent if manufacturer is outside GB |
| 5. SACP level | "System 2+" or the applicable level for the product |
| 6. UK Approved Body | Name of the UKAS-accredited body, its UK(AB) number, and scope of certification |
| 7. Harmonised UK standard | Full standard reference e.g. "BS EN 10025-2:2019" |
| 8. Declared performance | Table of essential characteristics and their declared performance levels |
| 9. Date and signature | Signed by an authorised representative of the manufacturer |
EU DoP vs UK DoP
| Feature | EU DoP (for CE marking) | UK DoP (for UKCA marking) |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory basis | EU CPR 305/2011 | UK CPR (as retained/amended) |
| Notified body | EU notified body with NB number | UKAS-approved body with UK(AB) number |
| Market | EU + Northern Ireland | Great Britain only |
| Language | Any EU official language | English (for GB market) |
| CE vs UKCA mark | CE mark on product/packaging | UKCA mark on product/packaging |
UKAS-Approved Body vs EU Notified Body
After Brexit, UK Approved Bodies (UK(AB)) replaced EU Notified Bodies (NB) for the GB UKCA system. They are separate registers:
| Body type | Accreditation | Register | Applicable market |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Notified Body (NB) | EU member state national accreditation body (e.g. DAkkS, COFRAC) | NANDO database (EC website) | EU + Northern Ireland |
| UK Approved Body (UK(AB)) | UKAS (UK Accreditation Service) | UKAS website / OPSS register | Great Britain only |
| UK(NI) Approved Body | UKAS (NI-specific scope) | OPSS register | Northern Ireland (accepts CE or UKCA) |
A mill certificate referencing a body that is only on the EU NANDO register (not on the UKAS UK(AB) register) does not demonstrate UKCA compliance for GB market placement — even if the body was formerly recognised as an EU notified body before Brexit.
How to verify UK(AB) status: Search the OPSS register at gov.uk/guidance/uk-approved-bodies or the UKAS directory. The UK(AB) number has the format UK(AB) followed by a four-digit number (e.g. UK(AB) 0123). This number must appear on the UK DoP.
CE and UKCA Dual Marking
The dual marking period — during which both CE and UKCA were accepted in GB — ended on 30 June 2025. The position from 1 July 2025:
| Scenario | GB (England, Scotland, Wales) | Northern Ireland | EU / Republic of Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product with only UKCA | Accepted | Not accepted for CE-mandated uses | Not accepted |
| Product with only CE | Not accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
| Product with both CE + UKCA | UKCA element accepted | CE element accepted | CE element accepted |
| Stock imported before 1 July 2025 with CE | OPSS guidance permits use; check current guidance | Accepted | Accepted |
Manufacturers wishing to sell into both GB and the EU now need both marks, which requires both a UK(AB) and an EU NB to certify their FPC systems under their respective regimes. Many European mills serving the UK market have obtained both to maintain access.
What a Compliant UK MTC Looks Like vs a Non-Compliant One
Compliant UK MTC — structural steel to BS EN 10025-2
A compliant certificate will contain language similar to:
"This material has been manufactured in accordance with BS EN 10025-2:2019, Grade S355J2+N. Factory Production Control has been certified by [Name] UK(AB) 0123 (UKAS-accredited). The UK Declaration of Performance reference number is [DoP-2025-XXXX], issued in accordance with the UK Construction Products Regulation."
Non-compliant UK MTC — common failures post 1 July 2025
| Failure mode | What you see on the MTC | Why it fails |
|---|---|---|
| CE-only reference | "Conforms to EN 10025-2:2004 CE marked, NB 1234" | EU NB, not UK(AB); CE not valid for GB post-July 2025 |
| No DoP reference | Standard and grade stated but no DoP number | UK DoP must be issued and referenced |
| Missing UK(AB) number | UKAS body named but no UK(AB) number | Cannot verify the body's scope on OPSS register |
| Wrong standard edition | References superseded EN 10025-2:2004 without UK adoption confirmation | BSI UK edition reference required |
| Self-declared only, no body | "Manufactured to BS 4449, self-certified" | System 2+ requires UK(AB) FPC certification |
Northern Ireland Protocol / Windsor Framework
Northern Ireland remains subject to EU single market rules for goods, including the EU CPR. This means:
- CE marking (supported by an EU NB) continues to be valid in Northern Ireland
- UKCA marking is also accepted in Northern Ireland as an alternative
- Goods moving from GB to NI under the Windsor Framework may require additional checks; advice from HMRC and OPSS should be followed for specific supply chains
For a fabricator in Northern Ireland supplying into both NI (EU rules) and GB (UKCA), materials with both CE and UKCA marks provide the most flexibility.
MTC Compliance Checklist — 8 Fields an Auditor Checks for UKCA
When auditing a steel mill test certificate for UKCA compliance on the GB market, verify these eight fields in order:
| # | Field | What a compliant MTC shows | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Applicable standard | UK-adopted standard e.g. "BS EN 10025-2:2019" | References EU-only EN edition without UK confirmation |
| 2 | Grade designation | Full grade per standard e.g. "S355J2+N" or "B500B" | Grade absent or uses non-standard abbreviation |
| 3 | UK DoP reference | DoP number traceable to the manufacturer's published UK DoP | No DoP reference; or EU DoP only |
| 4 | UK(AB) name and number | Named UKAS-approved body with format "UK(AB) XXXX" | NB number only (format: 4-digit EU number without UK(AB) prefix) |
| 5 | SACP level | "System 2+" stated or implied by UK DoP | System 4 self-declaration only (insufficient for structural steel) |
| 6 | UKCA marking confirmation | Statement that product is UKCA marked or DoP confirms UKCA | CE marking stated as sole conformity route |
| 7 | Chemical and mechanical results | Values within the limits of the declared UK standard and grade | Values present but no standard reference to verify against |
| 8 | EN 10204 certificate type | Type 3.1 (or 3.2 for pressure/critical applications) signed by authorised inspector | Type 2.2 (works certificate) — insufficient for structural compliance |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UKCA mandatory for all steel used in UK construction from July 2025?
UKCA is mandatory for construction products within the scope of a harmonised UK standard that are placed on the GB market from 1 July 2025. Products used in mechanical engineering, pipework, pressure equipment, or other non-construction applications fall under different UK product regulations. "Placed on the market" means making the product available for the first time in GB — products already in a stockholder's inventory before 1 July 2025 are not automatically affected, though OPSS guidance on this should be checked for each specific product type.
Can a European mill's CE DoP be used in the UK?
No. An EU DoP (used for CE marking) cannot substitute for a UK DoP (required for UKCA marking) on the GB market from 1 July 2025. However, a European mill that has also obtained UK(AB) FPC certification from a UKAS-accredited body can issue both a UK DoP (referencing the UK(AB)) and an EU DoP (referencing the EU NB), allowing the product to carry both marks and be sold in both markets.
What type of EN 10204 certificate is required for UKCA-compliant structural steel?
EN 10204 Type 3.1 is the standard requirement. Type 3.1 is a test report produced by the mill's authorised inspector (independent of production), validated against the order. Type 2.2 (a works certificate declaring conformity without third-party inspection) is not sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the mechanical and chemical requirements of structural steel standards. Type 3.2 — validated by a purchaser's representative or independent inspector — provides the highest level and may be required for critical applications.
How do I verify that a UK Approved Body is genuinely UKAS-accredited?
Search the UKAS directory at ukas.com or the OPSS UK Approved Bodies register at gov.uk. Enter the body's name or UK(AB) number. The entry will show: the accredited scope (which standards and SACP levels), the accreditation status (active/suspended), and the body's registered address. If the body does not appear or its scope does not cover the relevant standard, the certificate is non-compliant.
What happens if I receive non-UKCA steel for a UK project after July 2025?
For a project specified under UKCA requirements, non-compliant material cannot be incorporated into the works without a concession or substitution approved by the structural engineer and (where applicable) the building control authority. Options are: return the material to the supplier, obtain supplementary independent testing and a UK DoP through an alternative route, or formally approve a concession documenting the evidence of compliance. The procurement contract should include warranties that all construction products comply with applicable UK conformity requirements at the time of delivery.
Ready to automate your certificate workflow?
Try TestCert free