UKCA Mark for Toys and Board Games

UKCA marking is Great Britain's version of the CE mark. Every game for children sold in Great Britain should carry the UKCA mark, alongside the CE mark. The tests themselves are the same as for the EU. So if you tested your game for the CE mark, you only need to extend the safety certificate to the UK, for a fee of USD 100. This guide explains the rules, the steps and the cost.

UKCA and CE in Great Britain

After Brexit, the UK allowed a transition period, which ran until the end of 2025. During it, the CE mark alone was accepted, and UK details could go on a sticker or a separate document. Now games sold in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) should carry the UKCA mark and UK details on the box itself. Most publishers who sell in both the EU and Great Britain print both marks side by side.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland follows the EU toy rules, so games sold there carry the CE mark.

The UK Toy Safety Regulations

The UK toy safety regulations are the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, and UKCA marking toys follows them. Like the EU rules, they treat a product made for children under 14 as a toy. The tests are the British versions of EN 71 (BS EN 71): physical safety, flammability and heavy metals. They match the EU tests, which is why one test can cover both markets.

How to Get the UKCA Mark

For most board games, UKCA certification is a self-declaration backed by a test report. There are four steps:

1. Test the game to EN 71 at an accredited lab, or extend your existing CE test to the UK for USD 100.
2. Sign a UK declaration of conformity, stating the game meets the UK rules.
3. Print the UKCA mark on the box, at least 5 mm high, keeping its proportions, next to the CE mark.
4. Print a UK address for the seller or importer on the box.

Our guide to board game box labels and warning signs shows a fully labelled example, with both marks.

Cost and Timing

If your game is already tested for the CE mark, extending the certificate to the UK costs USD 100. A new test costs a base fee of USD 100, plus USD 170 for every three materials or colours in your game. Testing takes about 9 working days after production, or roughly 5 days for an express test at double the cost. Our guide to the CE mark for toys and board games covers the EU side, and our guide to how board game safety testing works gives a worked example of the price.

Shipping Direct to UK Customers

You only need the UK certificate and a UK address if you store and sell your games in the UK. If you ship single orders straight from China, the US or the EU to customers in the UK, you do not need them.

To plan the testing for your game, contact us.