New UKCA marking

In the European Union (EU) there are a large number of regulations which in turn relate to norms. In this way product standards are defined which are permitted for use in the marketplace and to be applied within the European Union. This also applies to the products manufactured by Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. In accordance with EU Regulation No. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and Council, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH is permitted e.g. as a certified manufacturer of construction products to market hot-rolled structural steel goods. As manufacturer, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH uses a CE mark for these products in accordance with product standard EN 10025-1:2004 for structural steels and is responsible for the so-called Declaration of Performance for the product. The Declaration of Performance (DoP) for a particular product includes among other things the performance data for the product, e.g. the chemical composition or mechanical-technological data deriving from the corresponding product standard for structural carbon steel pursuant to EN 10025 Parts 2 to 6. Confirmation that all specifications regarding the evaluation and monitoring of the constancy of performance are met is certified by an external company following inspection – in our case by TÜV Nord. Where customers of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH specify a CE mark for construction products, this is included in the Acceptance Test Certificate for the product. 
Following the exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), referred to as Brexit, the UK has adopted its own regulations. These also apply to the hot-rolled construction products manufactured by Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. In the context of Brexit, the United Kingdom has developed a product marking system of its own – the UKCA mark. UKCA stands for “United Kingdom Conformity Assessed”, and it is comparable with the CE mark used by the European Union. Under the current status applying in Northern Ireland, CE marking will in future retain its validity in the province. Naturally, the UKCA mark also has its own logo, which in future where requested will appear on the Acceptance Test Certificate provided by Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. However, before Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH is permitted to use the UKCA mark and the corresponding DoPs, a certification process is required in accordance with British requirements to confirm conformity with the regulations. This process is already fully in hand with the competent certification body and will be concluded in the coming months. As a first step, it necessary for the company providing the certification to obtain qualification with a company of its own in the United Kingdom in order to be permitted to undertake the inspections independently in Germany.
With effect from January 1, 2023, UKCA marking will be an exclusive requirement for the marketing of structural steel construction products in the United Kingdom. In order to be able, together with our customers, to successfully offer and supply products in the British market after this date, the preparations to allow for successful UKCA marking are well in hand.

If you have any queries, your contacts in Technical Customer Services are available to assist.