As of October 2026, Great Britain continues to accept CE marking for construction products, so Indian tile factories that already hold CE documents for the EU can generally use them for the UK as well. UKCA marking is the alternative route, and it matters mainly if the rules change.
Whether a tile needs marking at all depends on whether it falls under a relevant harmonised or designated standard. Confirm your own product with gov.uk guidance or your trading standards contact.
What is the current UK position?
The UK government first set a deadline for CE recognition on construction products, and then confirmed that CE marking would remain recognised indefinitely, with a minimum two-year notice before any change. Legal summaries of that decision are published by CMS and the BBA.
Some older web pages still show the earlier deadline. Treat them as out of date, and check the government's current construction products guidance before you rely on any date.
Does UKCA apply to tiles?
UKCA is the UK's own conformity mark. For construction products it applies where a product is covered by a UK designated standard or a retained harmonised standard. For ceramic tiles, the relevant product standard is EN 14411, which is the basis of the CE route described in CE marking for tiles.
In practice, most buyers receive tiles with a CE mark and a Declaration of Performance. The document is explained in declaration of performance for tiles. A factory with that paperwork for the EU is usually ready for Great Britain today.
What should you ask the factory?
Ask for the documents before you place the order, not after the container arrives.
- A current Declaration of Performance for each tile type, naming the factory, the product and the standard.
- A test report to the standard from an accredited laboratory, checked against the plant address.
- Confirmation of who is the manufacturer on the documents, since that company carries the legal duties.
- Whether the factory is willing to arrange UKCA assessment if the UK ever ends CE recognition. Do not assume it will.
Who is legally responsible?
The manufacturer is responsible for the declaration and the marking. As the importer into Great Britain, you also have duties, including keeping documents available and making sure the product is correctly marked. The exact duties are set out by the UK government, so confirm them with your customs broker or trading standards.
Northern Ireland follows different arrangements. Check the position for your destination if you ship there.
How does this fit with duty and customs?
Conformity marking is separate from duty. The treatment of tile duty under the new UK agreement is covered in India-UAE CEPA and India-UK trade agreement: what they mean for tile duty. For the wider import process, read importing Indian tiles into the UK.
What if the rules change?
The UK government has said it will give at least two years of notice before changing how CE marking is recognised for construction products. That gives you time to ask the factory about UKCA assessment. Keep your supplier file up to date with current Declarations of Performance and test reports, so that a change in the rules means a change in paperwork rather than a stop in supply.
Next step
We check factory certificates and test reports against the plant, and have lots tested before shipment. To confirm your UK paperwork, book a free sourcing review.