Glossary / Compliance
What is CE Marking (CE)?
CE marking indicates a product meets EU health, safety and environmental protection standards, and is still relevant to UK buyers importing or comparing robots sold across Europe.
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CE marking is the EU equivalent of the UK's UKCA marking, confirming a product has been assessed against applicable EU machinery, safety and electromagnetic compatibility regulations. Many robots sold internationally, including in the UK, carry CE marking as their primary or additional conformity mark.
Since Brexit, the position for goods sold in Great Britain has moved toward UKCA marking, though CE marking continues to be accepted for many product categories under transitional arrangements. Buyers should not assume CE marking alone satisfies GB requirements indefinitely, and should ask suppliers directly which marking applies and why.
In practice, most reputable robot manufacturers hold both markings, having been assessed against the largely overlapping UK and EU technical requirements, which simplifies compliance for buyers regardless of where the robot was designed.
Common questions
- Does CE marking mean a robot is compliant in the UK?
- CE marking is currently accepted for many products sold in Great Britain under transitional rules, but UKCA is the formal UK marking, so it's worth confirming current status with the supplier.
- Why do some robots carry both CE and UKCA marks?
- Manufacturers selling into both UK and EU markets often gain both markings since the underlying technical requirements largely overlap.
- What does CE marking actually assess?
- It confirms the product meets EU requirements for safety, health and environmental protection relevant to that category of machinery.
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