After Brexit, many charger brands expected to need a separate UKCA marking for Great Britain. The rules have since changed. The UK now continues to recognise the CE marking for most products, including the electrical equipment that EV chargers fall under, while UKCA remains available.
This article explains what that means for a private-label charger brand selling in England, Scotland and Wales, and what an importer still has to do. For the full OEM process, see our guide to OEM and private-label EV chargers. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm your position with a UK compliance adviser or approved body.
The current position in brief
GOV.UK guidance on using the UKCA marking says that under the Product Safety and Metrology (Amendment) Regulations 2024 the UK continues to recognise CE marking in Great Britain. CE can be used alongside or in place of UKCA. The government page on continued recognition of EU requirements notes that these regulations came into force on 1 October 2024, and that the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 came into force on 21 July 2025, giving the UK a new framework for product regulation.
For an EV charger brand, the practical result is that a charger which meets EU requirements and carries a valid CE marking can generally be placed on the GB market. Northern Ireland follows different arrangements and is not covered here.
CE and UKCA side by side
| Point | CE marking | UKCA marking |
|---|---|---|
| Where accepted | EU and, under continued recognition, Great Britain | Great Britain only |
| Declaration | EU declaration of conformity | UK declaration of conformity |
| Third-party body | EU notified body where required | UK approved body where required |
| Minimum size | 5 mm | 5 mm unless legislation says otherwise |
| Placement | On the product | On the product; label or accompanying document allowed until 31 December 2027 in most sectors |
Most mains-powered EV chargers fall under the low voltage and EMC rules, where the manufacturer usually self-declares conformity on the basis of test reports. Smart chargers with radio modules are also covered by radio equipment rules. Our article on CE marking for private-label chargers explains the EU directives involved.
When UKCA still makes sense
If CE is accepted, why would a brand use UKCA at all? There are a few practical reasons:
- A product sold only in Great Britain may be tested to UK designated standards without an EU declaration.
- Some buyers, tenders or retailers ask to see a UK declaration of conformity.
- Where UK and EU requirements differ in future, UKCA may become the simpler route for a GB-only model.
- Some brands mark both to cover all channels with one label.
Either way, the mark you apply must be backed by the matching declaration and technical documentation. Do not add UKCA to artwork just because the factory has an EU declaration.
Importer duties do not go away
Whichever mark you use, the importer has its own legal duties. GOV.UK guidance on placing UKCA or CE marked products on the GB market says importers must check that the manufacturer followed the correct conformity process and kept technical documentation, and must show their name and postal address on the product.
The same guidance says an importer that places a product on the market under its own brand takes on manufacturer responsibilities. That is the normal situation for a private-label charger. In practice this means:
- Holding, or having access to, the declaration of conformity and technical file for your branded model.
- Making sure your company name and postal address appear on the product, as described in rating labels and required markings.
- Keeping records of complaints and taking action if a safety problem appears.
- Supplying English instructions and safety information.
Other GB rules to check
Marking is not the only requirement. Chargers intended for home or workplace use in Great Britain may also fall under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, which set functional and security requirements for smart charge points. Check whether your product type is in scope before you finalise the design.
Plug choice also matters. Portable chargers for the UK market usually use a BS 1363 three-pin plug for slow charging or an industrial CEE plug for higher current. Our article on choosing plug, cable and connector by market covers these options, and EV charger certifications explained gives the wider certification context.
A practical plan for private-label brands
- Decide whether you will sell in the EU, GB or both, and choose CE, UKCA or both accordingly.
- Ask your supplier for the test reports behind the declaration for your exact model and configuration. Certification marks vary by model.
- Issue your own declaration as the brand owner, with advice from a compliance specialist.
- Add your company name and postal address to the label and packaging.
- Recheck the GOV.UK pages before each new launch, since the framework is still developing.
EVDANCE supplies UK-configured chargers with your logo, packaging and manuals. See our EV charger manufacturer page for the UK or contact the team to discuss a GB program.
Key Takeaways
- Great Britain continues to recognise CE marking, so a correctly CE-marked charger can generally be sold there without UKCA.
- UKCA remains available and must be backed by a UK declaration of conformity, not just an EU one.
- A private-label importer using its own brand takes on manufacturer responsibilities and must show its name and postal address on the product.
- Check other GB requirements, such as smart charge point rules and plug type, and recheck guidance before each launch.
Sources & Standards
- GOV.UK — Using the UKCA marking
- GOV.UK — Placing UKCA or CE marked products on the market in Great Britain
- GOV.UK — Continued recognition of EU requirements, including CE marking, for placing products on the GB market
- European Commission — CE marking: manufacturers
