UK Vehicle GB CertificationUK GB Certification refers to the market access approval for Great Britain (including England, Wales and Scotland). Details are as follows:

Certification Background

After Brexit, the UK no longer recognizes EU CE marking. To ensure products sold in Great Britain meet local safety, health and environmental requirements, the UK launched the GB certification system, which is revised and adjusted based on EU regulations.

Certification Body

The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is the primary authority responsible for UK vehicle type approval. As an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport, it delivers reliable testing and certification in line with international standards to improve vehicle safety and environmental protection.

Certification Scope

The GB Type Approval scheme is governed by Framework Regulation 2018/858, covering motor vehicles and trailers of categories M, N and O, as well as related vehicle systems and components.

Certification Categories & Effective Dates

01Temporary GB Type Approval Scheme

If a vehicle model holds EU WVTA or EU SSTA issued by EU‑27 member states before 1 January 2023, it may be sold in Northern Ireland directly. To access the Great Britain market, manufacturers must apply for a UKCA certificate under the temporary GB scheme based on existing EU documents. Vehicles without valid EU type approval shall obtain UKCA certification before 1 February 2024 for sales across the whole UK.
02Formal GB Type Approval Scheme

All new vehicle models launched after 1 February 2024 must obtain UKCA certification via the formal GB scheme for sales in the entire UK (Great Britain & Northern Ireland). Implementation timeline: M / N category vehicles effective 1 Jan 2023, fully mandatory from 1 Feb 2024; O category vehicles effective 1 Jan 2023, fully mandatory from 1 Feb 2025; Key components for M / N / O vehicles effective 1 Jan 2023, subject to WVTA approval timing; Aftermarket parts for M / N / O vehicles effective 1 Jan 2023, fully mandatory from 1 Feb 2025.

Certification Process

01Application Submission
The applicant shall complete and submit the customer account form to APT to initiate the VCA approval process, and provide full type approval documentation.
02Requirement Confirmation
Discuss type approval requirements, Conformity of Production (CoP), and test arrangements with the VCA technical team.
03CoP Assessment
Conduct CoP review with the VCA CoP team. Further steps can only proceed after CoP approval is granted.
04Facility Audit
VCA will carry out factory or laboratory facility assessment if required.
05Testing & Inspection
Relevant tests and inspections will be conducted or witnessed by VCA.
06Result Evaluation
Final pass or fail judgment will be issued based on technical documents and test data.

Technical Services & Compliance Evidence

Compliance with GB type approval is demonstrated through test reports issued by VCA‑designated technical services. A transitional exemption period is allowed after the launch of the GB scheme, enabling VCA to accept test reports from EU‑approved technical services. The exemption lasts until 31 December 2026 for M & N category vehicles, and until 31 December 2027 for O category vehicles. After the exemption period expires, all new test data and technical evidence must be provided by VCA‑authorized technical bodies.