Background
Conformité Européene (CE) marking and its equivalent UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking regulate the quality control for construction products, and the requirements for each are similar. CE marking has been mandatory for all construction products throughout the UK for a number of years. In June 2025 the UK Government intends to replace CE marking with UKCA marking for all products in Scotland, England and Wales.
In Scotland, for all building structures the consequence class indicated by BS EN 1990 Eurocode – Basis of Structural Design determines the Execution Class (EC) from which the required level of UKCA/CE marking can be derived in the current relevant code of practice for the material being utilised. Specifying the correct Execution Class ensures that the appropriate level of quality control applies to the products utilised.
Certifying
Certifiers will need to see that an appropriate risk assessment has been prepared for each building which identifies the appropriate Execution Class for the building as a whole or for its relevant parts. Certifiers should then refer to drawings and specifications to see that the design requirements for the relevant materials have been adequately specified on the drawings.
References to clauses within the current relevant codes of practice may be considered an appropriate way to ensure that compliance with the requirements of the Building Scotland Regulations 2004 are being met. For example, reference to BS EN 1090 will cover all aspects relating to the UKCA/CE requirements in respect of steelwork.
In practice, EC2 is the default setting for most products, but Certifiers should nevertheless ensure that the correct Execution Class is specified. Specification of the correct Execution Class is of particular importance for RG3 buildings where Execution Class 3 can apply to some or all elements.
Auditing
Auditors will check to see that there is adequate evidence of the Certifier’s review of the risk assessment and its conclusions, and of the Certifier’s review of the materials specifications. In assessing whether the performance criteria have been met, Auditors will take a proportionate approach which will reflect risk group of the building in question.