MHCLG confirms BASEC as Approved Body 2661

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) designates BASEC as an Approved Body for UK Construction Products Regulation testing as of 31st December 2020.

Following the Brexit trade agreements, the question has arisen surrounding mutual recognition agreement off conformity assessments between EU & UK testing and certification bodies around the Construction Products Regulation.

MHCLG position has been confirmed as below:

“The agreement that was reached with the EU at the end of 2020 did not include a provision which would allow for mutual recognition of conformity assessment. Our understanding of the EU Commission’s position is that type test reports issued by UK notified bodies will no longer be valid for the EU market from 1 January 2021. Test type reports issued by UK Notified Bodies will continue to be valid for the GB market, and will allow manufacturers to affix the UKCA marking.

The UK’s position is that it is down to individual UK bodies to decide whether or not to accept EU-issued type test reports to enable UKCA marking and ultimately whether or not retesting is required.”

Details of confirmed designation refer to:

The Construction Products Regulation 2011 (retained EU law EUR 305/2011) as amended by the Construction Products (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the Construction Products (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

Technical qualification of the body (accreditation or other official authorisation):

Recognised by the UK Government as competent to carry out Technical Assessment of performance under the regulations as shown below (includes accreditation to ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and taking account of other standards under the EA Alternative Approach and taking into account EA 2/17 – EA Guidance on the horizontal requirements for the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies for notification purposes plus positive recommendation by UK national accreditation body).

Compliance

Manufacturers and suppliers of BASEC approved cables can now confidently set and update Declaration of Performance (DoP) processes to fully comply with UKCA requirements, subject to valid a Certification or Certification of Constancy of Performance (CoCP) being in place. Ensuring compliance to the designation which shall take effect from the end of the transition period.

To summarise the position in respect to conformity assessments in compliance with the CPR/UKCA for cables destined for construction projects, approved by BASEC post Brexit, the below applies:

  • BASEC (2661) will be able to issue UKCA System 1+ & System 3
  • BASEC Conformity Limited (NB 2851) will be able to issue CE System 1+
  • Neither BASEC nor BASEC Conformity Limited will be able to provide CE System 3

About BASEC
BASEC is the preferred testing and certification partner to the worldwide cable industry. The mark of independently approved quality and safety is only awarded when cable products have been rigorously tested to meet the highest industry recognised standards. The BASEC name is synonymous with quality and safety and our independent cable certification and testing is trusted and respected around the world. For over 45 years BASEC has been a mark of reassurance for those manufacturing, specifying and installing cable. Our comprehensive product testing approvals, stockists and control cable certification schemes provide purchasers and contractors with the peace of mind that the cable they install is compliant, safe, fit for purpose and will provide years of reliable service.