Although it is not a current issue, it continues to generate a great deal of uncertainty both in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.
In particular, since the introduction of the term UKCA, there has been considerable confusion about the validity of the Certificate of Conformity (COC) in the country, whether there are new regulations and what the differences are between UKCA certification and CE marking.
We answer all your questions in this article.
What is the Certificate of Conformity in UK?
As in any other European country, this certificate indicates that the vehicle complies with European environmental and safety regulations.
It contains the technical characteristics of the vehicle and is issued by the manufacturer.
It is essential for the import and registration of vehicles in the European Union, the European Economic Area and other non-member countries such as the United Kingdom.
You will need this document if:
- You are going to import or export one or more vehicles.
- You are going to register your vehicle.
- The authorities require it.
Are the COC, CE marking and UKCA marking the same thing?
No, they are not the same thing. Although they are all certificates indicating that certain quality standards are being met, they are different.
The CE marking is mandatory for certain products manufactured and marketed in Europe, not including vehicles, although it does apply to their components.
As with the COC for vehicles, with the CE marking, the manufacturer guarantees that the product complies with European safety, quality, health and environmental regulations.
Following Brexit, the United Kingdom has introduced its own marking, the UKCA. This indicates that its products have been manufactured in accordance with the country's standards. Although it has coexisted with the CE marking, it has been mandatory since 1 January 2023.
Similarly, the UKCA marking is not required for vehicles.
Validity of the Certificate of Conformity post-Brexit
Despite the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, the COC remains valid in the country.
In other words, this certificate is still accepted when importing a vehicle from Europe and, furthermore, the United Kingdom continues to issue it.
Although the Anglo-Saxon country wishes to issue its own certificate, this is not expected to happen in the near future.
The British Government website states:
"We plan to replace the requirement for an EU certificate with a GB certificate for new vehicles sold in Great Britain.
The timetable for its introduction will be announced in 2022, but we expect to maintain the obligation for manufacturers to supply the COC to anyone who buys a new vehicle.
New vehicles in Northern Ireland will continue to be supplied with an EU certificate."
Helpful Resources:
Certificate of Conformity for new vehicles - Gov.UK
