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CE, UKCA and UKNI marks explained

Ireland guide

CE, UKCA and UKNI marks explained

Workwear and PPE sold across these islands can carry different conformity marks. Here is which one applies where, and what it tells you.

  • Republic of Ireland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Great Britain

Standards on this page

EN ISO 20471EN ISO 20345CE markingUKCA markingUKNI marking

Symbols follow the official pictograms.

Key takeaways

  • Republic of Ireland: look for CE [1].
  • Northern Ireland: CE, or CE with UKNI [2].
  • Great Britain: UKCA or CE [3].
  • A mark shows the manufacturer's claim of conformity. The label and standard tell you what protection you get.

Which mark applies where

Summary of official guidance. Specific product rules can differ [2][3].
Market Marks you may see Why
Republic of Ireland CE EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 [1]
Northern Ireland CE, or CE with UKNI EU product rules apply under the Windsor Framework [2]
Great Britain UKCA or CE CE recognised under the 2024 UK regulations [3]

What the marks mean

CE

The manufacturer's mark that a product meets EU requirements. For PPE, it can only be fixed after testing and the required conformity assessment [1].

UKNI

Used only with CE, where a UK-based notified body carried out the third-party assessment for the Northern Ireland market [2].

UKCA

The Great Britain mark. UK guidance allows it on a label or accompanying document until 31 December 2027 [3].

Watch out for "voluntary certificates"

The European Commission warns that so-called voluntary certificates from bodies not acting as notified bodies are not a recognised way to prove compliance, and a certificate should not itself bear a CE marking [1]. Ask for the declaration of conformity instead.

Marks and standards work together

  • The conformity mark shows the product is claimed to meet the law.
  • The standard on the label, such as EN ISO 20471 or EN ISO 20345, tells you what it was tested for. See our workwear glossary.
  • For Category I PPE, UK guidance lets the manufacturer self-declare conformity [3].
  • We keep certification details for safety products. See certification and standards.

This guide summarises official guidance in plain English. It is not legal advice. Always follow your own risk assessment and check the current version of each source.

Frequently asked questions

What mark should PPE have in the Republic of Ireland?

The CE mark. The European Commission says the CE marking on PPE is evidence that it complies with EU law, including Regulation (EU) 2016/425 [1].

What about Northern Ireland?

Under the Windsor Framework, relevant EU product rules apply in Northern Ireland. Products there carry CE, or CE with UKNI [2].

What is the UKNI mark?

UKNI is never used on its own. It sits alongside the CE mark when a UK-based notified body did the third-party assessment [2].

Is CE still accepted in Great Britain?

Yes. The UK continues to recognise the CE marking alongside or instead of UKCA for many products under the Product Safety and Metrology (Amendment) Regulations 2024 [3].

Can a product show both UKCA and CE?

Yes. UK guidance says a product can carry several markings, as long as it complies with the relevant requirements and the markings can be clearly seen [3].

More help choosing

More Ireland guides

Need paperwork for a tender or audit?

Ask us for the declaration of conformity or datasheet for any safety product we sell. We deliver to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 2–4 working days, with no customs or import duty for Irish orders. See delivery details and ordering from Ireland. Get in touch with our team to discuss trade or team pricing. Call (028) 90 749 719 or email sales@theworkwearco.com.

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Sources

Numbers in square brackets on this page refer to these sources. Standards and site rules change, so always check the current version and your own risk assessment.

  1. European Commission, Personal protective equipment (Regulation (EU) 2016/425) – https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/mechanical-engineering/personal-protective-equipment_en
  2. GOV.UK, Placing CE, or CE and UKNI marked products on the market in Northern Ireland (updated 8 April 2026) – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-ce-or-ce-and-ukni-marked-products-on-the-market-in-northern-ireland
  3. GOV.UK, Placing UKCA or CE marked products on the market in Great Britain (updated 21 August 2026) – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-marking