The UK government has decided to recognise the EU’s product safety symbol indefinitely, in a post-Brexit climbdown.

From the end of next year, goods such as light bulbs and toys were meant to carry a new UK-only mark to be sold in Great Britain.

However, the business department has now confirmed the EU symbol will continue to be accepted.

For products sold in England, Wales, and Scotland it was due to be replaced by a new UKCA symbol in December 2024. The CE mark was due to remain in Northern Ireland under the terms of its separate Brexit arrangements.

It meant manufacturers selling products in both Great Britain and the European Union faced having to meet two differing standards, which would have added to their costs and might have diverged over time.

However, the business department has now announced the CE mark will be recognised indefinitely, meaning British firms will be able to choose whether to use the new UKCA symbol or retain the CE mark.

The introduction of the new system had been repeatedly delayed, with the government blaming the difficult economic conditions following the pandemic and as a result of the war in Ukraine.

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