UKAS Customer Communication - Status of Accreditation
Whatever the outcome of Brexit, whether the UK leaves the EU with or without a deal, UKAS will continue to be recognised by the UK Government as the UK's sole national accreditation body. This has been confirmed by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, and is included in the Statutory Instrument drafted in preparation of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit occurring.
UKAS’s international recognition through signatory status to the multi-lateral agreements with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) will remain unaffected by Brexit. Within Europe, UKAS will also retain its membership of the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA) and will remain a signatory to the EA multi-lateral agreement. Therefore, we are pleased to be able to confirm that UKAS Accreditation will retain the same international recognition that our customers and their clients rely upon, with the following exception:
In a ‘No Deal’ Brexit scenario, where accredited activities are being performed to demonstrate compliance with EU Directives/Regulations or EU schemes, then UKAS accreditation will no longer be recognised as we will not be based in an EU Member State. However, it is important to recognise that this is only related to the EU-regulated sector and does not impact on other sectors.
It should also be noted that, for the situation identified above, there will only be an impact when Conformity Assessment Body (CAB*) or their clients are delivering services/products into the EU. Where a CAB or its clients are delivering services/products for the UK then UKAS accreditation will continue to be valid for regulated activities (listed below).
UKAS is aware of the following European regulations that would be affected by a ‘No Deal’ scenario in this way:
- Toy Safety - Directive 2009/48/EU
- Transportable pressure equipment - Directive 2010/35/EU
- Construction products - Regulation (EU) No 305/2011
- Pyrotechnic Articles - Directive 2013/29/EU
- Recreational craft and personal watercraft - Directive 2013/53/EU
- Civil Explosives - Directive 2014/28/EU
- Simple Pressure Vessels - Directive 2014/29/EU
- Electromagnetic Compatibility - Directive 2014/30/EU
- Non-automatic Weighing Instruments - Directive 2014/31/EU
- Measuring Instruments - Directive 2014/32/EU
- Lifts - Directive 2014/33/EU
- ATEX - Directive 2014/34/EU
- Radio equipment - Directive 2014/53/EU
- Pressure equipment - Directive 2014/68/EU
- Marine Equipment - Directive 2014/90/EU
- Personal protective equipment - Regulation (EU) 2016/425
- Gas appliances - Regulation (EU) 2016/426
- Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
- Directive 2008/57/EC interoperability of the rail system within the Community
- 2009/750/EC: European Electronic Toll Service and its technical elements
- Outdoor Noise Directive 2000/14/EC
- Directive 92/42/EEC hot-water boilers
- Regulation (EU) 2016/426 appliances burning gaseous fuels
- Active implantable medical devices (90/385/EEC)
- Medical devices (93/42/EEC)
- In vitro medical devices (98/79/EC)
- Ecodesign directive – (2009/125/EC)
- EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) (EU) 600/2012, (EU) 601/2012, (EU) 2016/2072, (EU) 757/2015
- Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) (EC) 1221/2009
- End of Waste Regulations (EU) 333/2011
- eIDAS (EU) 910/2014
- Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)
- Feed and Food Law (EU) 2017/625
- Public Procurement Directive 2014/24/EU
- Defence and Security Contracts Directive 2009/81/EC
- Accreditation of Forensic Service Providers carrying out laboratory activities Council framework Decision 2009/905/JHA
- Organic Food Production (EU) 2018/848, (EC) 834/2007, (EC) 889/2008, (EC) 1235/2008
Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. should you have any queries in relation to the status of UKAS accredited activities in the run up to or following the UK’s departure from the European Union.
*Note: Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) is a collective term for bodies that perform: testing, calibration, inspection, certification, verification, proficiency testing or reference material production.