generally you can self certify, if you can rely on the results of the manufacturers of the components you use. However, EMC in particular is tricky, and the easiest solution is to fit slightly more filtering than the minimum needed if there are things in the box that are likely to give trouble (switch mode supplies, certain types of dimmer etc.)

you need to keep a log of the design process and the reason / method that you are complying by design rather than by measurement, but unless there is something very  odd, it is often the easier option - you'll need a bill of materials and list of suppliers anyway,.. Asking them for their datasheets/ recommended installation methods etc is good practice in any case.

Of course you need to read up on IP ratings and what a hot wire or cheesecloth test would do,  but you don't need to do it every time or at all if the enclosure is right, and you don't really need to pay someone to tell you what the largest size hole is in the box and if you can get a finger in it what it can touch if you have just drilled it yourself.,,

You may want to pay a consultant the first time of a new type of project  to advise which specific sections of which standards actually apply so you know which rules you need to pay attention to.

Mike.

Thanks for the reply, that's a big help.

The more I learn about the process, the less daunting it's becoming. Which is good!

That all sounds fairly straightforward as records of processes, materials suppliers etc were all things I had in mnd anyway. And I only plan to use well established brands and suppliers where ever possible, so datasheets and evidence of individual component compliance should be easy to provide.

regarding teh self certification, would that be self certify to put the UKCA mark on the panel, or self cerfity to not need to put it on (unless a contract requires it)?

Do you have any pointers of where to read up on the EMC requirements (in simple to understand explanations) as this is one that is liable to cause me issues - a large part of the systems we're looking at will have switchmode power supplies, dimmers of varying types and wireless communications (does that trigger the radio equipment directive as well?)

However, all of the components we use, will be UKCA or CE marked so as ong as we install them in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, that must go a ways towards our assemblies being compliant?

TB

When you self certify, basically you affix the mark to the case and then create & sign a certificate (copy to customer )that says that you on behalf of company  declare that to the best of your knowledge and belief that product as described, meets all relevant standards and directives, and you list them.

The same document bundle to customer is a good place to add things like max power ratings, environmental specs / limitations ("do not use outdoors"  for example)

In principle, but it is rare, someone official may then ask to say what evidence leads you to make that declaration and you need to be able to find it and produce it if asked. (normally only after an accident or serious complaint)

Now that file may include test house results, - yours or the component makers, calculations, test results from measurements you have done in house (those insulation results - keep them - it shows you have done safety tests for the LVD do some  load tests on prototypes to check it runs cool etc)  and figures from makers datasheets and application notes or whatever.

Keeping track of build state vs serial no.s is quite important - especially if  the ones after serial no 97 with the cheaper Chinese PSU catch fire kind of issues... not that you would ;-) 

Taking a few photos of kit as it is made/leaves/ gets installed can help 'version management' here.

Only for some more serious categories - medical implants and bits of aeroplanes come to mind- full testing by 3rd party is always mandatory. Stay clear of that if you can ;-0

Without seeing the kit, it is hard to say which standards and how much extra testing may be needed if any - that may be where some expert consultancy input is required, but you can only do that with a beginning of a design in front of you.
Set aside some time and budget for that at the start of any radically  new development.

PS it may be worth looking at other companies declarations of conformity for similar equipment to see how they handle it.

Mike.

What stops someone putting on the UKCA (or another similar mark) without actually testing or confirming it?

Its a fairly clear situation is someone is injured, or worse dies, due to a faulty product where they lied about the compliance - someone is likely going to jail. But what happens is lesser cases?

What stops someone putting on the UKCA (or another similar mark) without actually testing or confirming it

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>

But what happens is lesser cases?

In my experience of looking at cases in the UK, generally nothing or if something has to be done,  a 'cease and desist' warning letter is sent from trading standards. Then if sales  continue it gets heavier.  In cases of dangerous products, stock  may be confiscated and recall notices issued, Even in good faith, odd failure modes can be overlooked so quite a lot of recalls are from genuinely marked products..

I understand that some places (Germany) are less forgiving, but that is a general observation.

If someone is badly injured or killed it is not the faking of the CE or UKCA mark that is the main line of any prosecution - it may be added to the list and taken into consideration, but it is some way down.

you really don't have to test or have the parts tested  if you can argue that there is no credible way it can fail to meet the requirements  - especially for things that are very simple - consider  perhaps a torch with one battery and one filament lamp  Short of making it fall apart in a way that impales the user, or shorts the battery and overheats, what is there to test ...

Mike.

What stops someone putting on the UKCA (or another similar mark) without actually testing or confirming it

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>

But what happens is lesser cases?

In my experience of looking at cases in the UK, generally nothing or if something has to be done,  a 'cease and desist' warning letter is sent from trading standards. Then if sales  continue it gets heavier.  In cases of dangerous products, stock  may be confiscated and recall notices issued, Even in good faith, odd failure modes can be overlooked so quite a lot of recalls are from genuinely marked products..

I understand that some places (Germany) are less forgiving, but that is a general observation.

If someone is badly injured or killed it is not the faking of the CE or UKCA mark that is the main line of any prosecution - it may be added to the list and taken into consideration, but it is some way down.

you really don't have to test or have the parts tested  if you can argue that there is no credible way it can fail to meet the requirements  - especially for things that are very simple - consider  perhaps a torch with one battery and one filament lamp  Short of making it fall apart in a way that impales the user, or shorts the battery and overheats, what is there to test ...

Mike.

It does sound like there is quite a bit of integrity required.

Clearly if you aren't honest and things go wrong, there is a high chance it's not going end well for you. although it also sounds like there is perhapse not much appitite for pursuing offenders.

That said, he fact that there is a chance of it happening should be enough of any decent engineer/company to behave as far as is practicable