Post-Brexit Electrical Safety Marks Explained

Tom Young • December 12, 2023

Electrical Safety Marks In the UK Have Changed: Look For The UKCA Mark

Post-Brexit Safety Markings for Electrical Products in Great Britain

Following the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, new safety markings have been introduced for electrical products sold in Great Britain.

The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark now takes the place of the CE marking within Great Britain (comprising England, Wales, and Scotland) for a majority of electrical products.

The presence of the UKCA mark on a product signifies that it complies with UK safety standards.

For electrical products in Northern Ireland, EU regulations continue to apply, and these products will still bear the CE Mark.

In cases where products originating from Northern Ireland are assessed by a UK-approved body and sold in Great Britain, they will also feature the UK(NI) mark.

Transitional Measures for Manufacturers:

Electrical products that were ready for sale before January 1, 2021, may still be sold with the CE mark.
The CE mark will be recognized in England, Wales, and Scotland until December 31, 2022*, provided there are no changes in the regulations of GB and EU.
Starting January 1, 2023, most electrical products sold in England, Wales, and Scotland must include the UKCA mark. The exception is for products from Northern Ireland, which can continue to use the CE marking.
*Note: The initial deadline of December 31, 2021, has been extended by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on businesses.

Guidelines for Safe Purchasing:

It's crucial to check for safety certifications on electrical products. Authentic products from legitimate manufacturers will have these certifications on their label. If the certification mark is only on the packaging and not the product, the product might be counterfeit.

To avoid purchasing hazardous electrical goods, be vigilant about your source – buy directly from the manufacturer or from reputable retailers, like those found on main shopping streets.

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Do New Electrical Appliances Really Need PAT Testing?

September 9, 2025

Introduction We’ve been hearing this question more and more from customers lately: “Do brand-new appliances still need PAT testing?” It’s a fair question. After all, new equipment usually arrives sealed, with manufacturer labels and testing certificates. But when it comes to safety, compliance, and peace of mind, the answer is a little more nuanced. What the Law Actually Says There is no strict legal requirement that says every appliance must be PAT tested. The law simply requires that employers and duty holders keep electrical equipment safe and properly maintained. That means the responsibility is on you to ensure equipment is safe to use, whether it’s new or not. The law doesn’t prescribe how you do it, but PAT testing is one of the most reliable methods. New Equipment: What Best Practice Looks Like Industry guidance generally states that brand-new equipment does not usually need a full PAT test . A thorough visual inspection is often enough. Why? Because new appliances are supplied as safe. But… there are a few important caveats. Why Some Organisations Still Choose to PAT Test New Appliances Even new items can develop issues before they reach you: Transit damage : knocks, drops, or rough handling. Storage conditions : damp, dust, or stacking problems. Manufacturing faults : rare, but possible. For most offices or low-risk workplaces, a visual check may be sufficient. But in higher-risk environments, like healthcare, construction, or manufacturing, many duty holders choose to test new equipment anyway. It’s about risk, peace of mind, and protecting people. A Risk-Based Approach That Works Low-risk settings (offices, shops, classrooms): Carry out a visual inspection, log the equipment, and move it into service. High-risk or critical settings (workshops, hospitals, factories): Consider a full PAT test even for new appliances, to establish a safe baseline and prevent costly downtime or accidents. Documentation and Competence Matter Whether you perform a visual inspection or a full PAT test, keep a record. This creates a clear audit trail and shows that you’ve taken reasonable steps to ensure safety. It’s also important that the person carrying out the inspection or test is competent, trained, knowledgeable, and confident in spotting issues. Conclusion: What’s the Smartest Strategy? In most cases, new appliances don’t require PAT testing, just a solid visual check as part of your risk management process. But remember: if the equipment is critical, the environment is high-risk, or there’s any sign of damage, a PAT test is a small investment in safety and peace of mind.