UKCA or CE may be accepted depending on the sector and conformity route. Do not assume one rule covers every product.
Official GB guidance →Compliance marking guidance
Use the right mark for the product and destination market.
This page summarises official guidance for CE, UKCA and UKNI markings and explains how Engrave Spec’s designer checks artwork. It is a practical starting point, not a substitute for the legislation applying to a specific product.
Responsibility remains with the manufacturer or other responsible economic operator. Engrave Spec reproduces customer-supplied and customer-approved information. Supplying a mark or engraving a plate does not certify that a product conforms.
Choose the destination market
Market comes before mark
The correct route depends on where the product is placed on the market, which product legislation applies and whether third-party assessment is required.
UKNI is never used alone. It accompanies CE when a UK notified body carries out required third-party conformity assessment.
Official NI guidance →CE is used only where relevant EU product legislation requires it. UKCA and UKNI are not EU market markings.
Official EU-market guidance →Core artwork rules
What the designer checks
Recognisable proportions
Official conformity artwork must keep its standard shape. The designer locks CE, UKCA and UKNI proportions and warns if a regulated mark is stretched.
Normal 5 mm minimum
The automated checker uses a 5 mm minimum height for CE, UKCA and UKNI unless the customer confirms that product-specific legislation permits another minimum.
Visible and legible
Marks should remain visible, legible and indelible. The designer checks physical plaque edges, the blue safe area and overlaps.
Correct placement
The mark is normally placed on the product or data plate. Product-specific rules determine whether packaging or accompanying documents may be used instead.
| Mark | Typical market context | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| CE | EU/EEA, Northern Ireland and recognised GB routes | Only use where the relevant product legislation requires or permits CE marking. |
| UKCA | Great Britain | Sector rules determine whether UKCA is required, optional or whether CE continues to be recognised. |
| UKNI | Northern Ireland with CE | Never used alone. CE + UKNI goods are not placed on the EU market under the CE-only route. |
Product sectors
Check the rules for the actual product
A plate type does not determine the legislation. Use the official sector table to identify the correct product regulations and marking route.
Machinery
Identification, responsible manufacturer details, designation, serial or type information and year may be relevant.
Electrical equipment
Ratings, type or batch identification, WEEE duties and product-standard symbols can apply.
Pressure equipment
Specialist assessment-body details and sector-specific marks can apply.
Radio equipment
Frequency, power, restrictions, WEEE and conformity information may be needed.
Lifts and lifting
Capacity, identification, responsible parties and specialist conformity routes may apply.
ATEX / explosive atmospheres
An Ex symbol alone is not a complete equipment marking. Group, category and protection data can be required.
Medical devices
Separate MHRA and EU medical-device rules and transition dates apply.
Other sectors
Marine, measuring, construction, aerosols, batteries and other products have specialist requirements.
Symbol library
Official marks and engraving pictograms are different
Official conformity artwork
CE, UKCA and UKNI assets in the designer are identified as official marks, maintain their proportions and carry market and minimum-height checks.
Generic monochrome engraving symbols
Many hazard, PPE, machinery and service icons are useful equipment pictograms, but they may not replace a statutory coloured safety sign or an exact standardised original.
HSE guidance distinguishes warning signs, prohibitions, mandatory safeguards and emergency information. Colour and shape can form part of the safety message. Check whether a separate coloured sign is required near the equipment.
HSE safety signs guidance →Before approving a plaque
Customer checklist
✓Confirm the destination market and exact product sector.
✓Confirm the manufacturer or responsible economic operator is authorised to use every regulated mark.
✓Complete the required conformity assessment, declaration and technical documentation before applying a mark.
✓Check names, postal addresses, model, serial, batch, year and technical ratings against controlled records.
✓Review the exact-size proof, mark heights, blue safe area and fixing-hole clearances.
Official sources
Check current guidance before production
UKCA and CE market guides and technical guidanceProduct regulations by sectorEuropean Commission CE marking guidanceHSE safety signs and signals guidance
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026. Regulations, recognition arrangements and sector guidance can change.
Ready to build the plate?
Select the destination market first, then use the recommended symbol view.