What Is CE Marking?
CE marking shows that a product has been tested against a harmonised European standard and meets the required safety and performance criteria. For ironmongery, this covers products such as hinges, door closers, locks and emergency exit devices, each tested against its own specific EN standard.
The mark itself is a declaration. It tells a specifier, contractor or building control officer that the manufacturer has evidence the product performs as claimed, backed by a Declaration of Performance.
What Is UKCA Marking?
UKCA marking is the UK’s own version of the same system, introduced following the UK’s departure from the EU. In principle, it works the same way as CE marking, testing against the same EN standards and requiring the same supporting evidence.
In practice, the UK government has repeatedly extended recognition of CE marking on construction products for the domestic market, so at the time of writing, both CE and UKCA marks remain valid in Great Britain. This is a live, evolving situation rather than a fixed rule, so it’s always worth checking the current position before assuming either mark alone is sufficient.
Why It Matters on a Project?
A CE or UKCA mark alone doesn’t tell you everything you need to know. It confirms a product has been tested, but not necessarily that it’s suitable for your specific application, particularly on fire doors.
This is where third party certification schemes such as Certifire add real value. They go beyond the basic mark, evidencing how a product performs in the specific configuration it will be used in, for example whether a closer has been tested with or without a latch, or how long a hinge has been proven to perform under fire conditions.
Getting This Right on Your Project!
Specifying compliant hardware isn’t just a box ticking exercise, it’s what ensures a fire door, escape route or piece of safety hardware performs exactly as intended if it’s ever called upon. If you’re unsure whether a product on your schedule carries the right marking or certification for its application, our team is always happy to check it through with you.