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By becoming your EU Authorised Representative and/or UK Responsible Person, AR Experts represents you as your AR. We can be named on your packaging within 24 hours upon receiving a signed agreement. With over 25 years of experience, our team of 15+ experts will help you to obtain access to the EU/UK market.
An Authorised representative (AR)/UK Responsible Person (UKRP) can be of service for manufacturers based outside of the EU/UK who want to sell their product on the EU/UK market. An AR/UKRP acts on behalf of the manufacturer and ensures that the products being sold on the EU/UK market comply with the European/UK product compliance legislations. This concerns products that are sold either directly, via e-commerce (online), or through a fulfilment service provider.
The responsibilities of manufacturers that are based within the EU/UK are straightforward, but for manufacturers based outside of the EU/UK who sell on the EU/UK market, it can be difficult to know which economic operator within their supply chain is responsible for what. These responsibilities include: verifying the CE/UKCA marking, ensuring the availability of technical documentation for national surveillance authorities, handling requests from said authorities, cooperating with them etc.
An AR/UKRP will play a part in ensuring a safe and legal production and trading process. The manufacturer will outsource specific tasks to the AR/UKRP, meaning that they take over some of the manufacturer’s responsibilities too. The aforementioned challenges will no longer be of concern to the manufacturer: the AR/UKRP will review the CE/UKCA marking, ensure the availability of technical documentation for national surveillance authorities, handle requests from said authorities and cooperate with them.
What is an authorised representative?
An AR is a legal party based within the European Union that acts as a liaison between a manufacturer outside of the EU and competent national authorities within the EU. The AR takes on some of the manufacturer responsibilities, and makes sure that the products being sold on the EU market comply with the relevant national compliance legislations. For the EU market, such a party is called Authorised representative (AR) and for the UK market, this is called a UK Responsible Person (UKRP). Although for different markets, they function essentially the same. Both an authorised representative EU and a UKRP verify that your product is legally allowed to bear the CE/UKCA mark by checking the technical file of a product. A competent AR/UKRP will additionally be able to answer all questions authorities can have and will advise you (the manufacturer) accordingly.
Who needs an authorised representative?
As already stated, European Authorised representative (AR) services are for manufacturers based outside of the EU who want to sell their product on the EU market. However, it must be said that having an AR is not mandatory for all manufacturers who want to trade their products on the EU market: EU Market Surveillance Regulation (MSR) states that a European Economic Operator is required, but this could also be an importer or a Fulfilment Service Provider. The table below relays in which cases an AR is mandatory, and for which manufacturers it is not.
An AR is mandatory for manufacturers whose products fall under … | An AR is not mandatory for manufacturers whose products fall under … |
ATEX Directive | Machinery Directive |
Construction Products Regulation | Low Voltage Directive |
Medical Devices Regulations | EMC Directive |
PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 | Noise Emission Directive |
Pressure Equipment Directive | Ecodesign Directive |
| Radio Equipment Directive |
| RoHS Directive |
The table is applicable too, for all manufacturers whose products need to be UKCA marked. The UK does not implement the new market surveillance regulation, but the market surveillance framework based on the New Legislative Framework (NLF) Regulation EC 765/2008 will continue to apply. However, it is still highly recommended to appoint a UKRP.
For products that fall within the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) an Authorised Representative is not mandatory, but highly recommended. E-commerce platforms are likely to demand from you to appoint an AR, as the new GPSD states that they are responsible for potential hazards as well, and appointing an authorised representative would relieve them from these obligations.
A few product groups are not within our AR scope of expertise, among which: food, medicines, cosmetics, and chemicals. These products are subjected to different rules, which are not explained here. These products are not currently included in our Authorised Representative services.
Why should you use an authorised representative?
Having a European Authorised Representative allows you as a manufacturer to outsource a part of your responsibilities to the AR. The AR will act as a liaison between you and the national competent authorities to ensure a legal and safe trade of your products. Tasks that can be assigned to an AR include, but are not limited to:
AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) will act as a reliable point of contact as your EU Authorised Representative, whether you are selling through e-commerce platforms or through a webshop. The same applies for the UK. We can assure swift market access with our quick technical file reviews, or provide extensive checks. Our experts tailor our services to your needs.
What is the procedure for AR experts to become your authorised representative?
Once you have decided that you are in need of our Authorised Representative services, we will start with the most important part of the process: retrieving the required technical documentation. This will allow us to start with the technical file review so that we can possibly provide you with the AR agreement within 24 hours. After signing the AR agreement, you will receive an AR certificate in which we officially declare ourselves your Authorised Representative.
It is good to know that once the mandate has been signed, the tasks that it claims are officially assigned to the AR, not only can but should be carried out by the AR from that moment forward. The manufacturer has outsourced that part of their responsibility and should no longer execute these tasks themselves.
INSIGHT
Click on the service blocks below to see what role our experts play in ensuring that your product can safely and legally be sold on the EU/UK market.
your documentation to our protected file share cloud
the EU AR/UKRP agreement
of the technical file by our CE/UKCA team
our name to your product and the required documentation
your EU AR/UKRP certificate
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AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) can act as an authorised representative on behalf of your organisation and ensures that the products being sold on the EU market comply with the European product compliance legislations. This concerns products that are sold either directly, via e-commerce (online), or through a fulfilment service provider.
We operate in various sectors, such as Machinery, Electronics, Medical Devices, Consumer Product, Toys, Personal Protective Equipment, Boats and more.
UKCA Experts (part of Certification Experts) act on behalf of a manufacturer established outside of the United Kingdom in relation to specified tasks with regard to the manufacturer’s obligations under these regulations we operate in various sectors such as Machinery, Electronics, Medical Devices, Consumer Product, Toys, Personal Protective Equipment, Boats and more.
AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) will set up the required mandate/agreement, herein it is determined which responsibilities/tasks of the manufacturer are mandated to the AR/UKRP. This is based on the applicable directives and regulations.
Conform to the applicable product legislation. The EUAR/UKRP has the responsibility to verify that the EU/UKCA Declaration of Conformity and technical documentation have been drawn up and where applicable and appropriate, conformity assessment procedure has been carried out by the manufacturer. AR experts can aid with assembling the required technical documentation.
In case of a medical device, the EUAR/UKRP is responsible for the registration of the device in the systems of the qualified authorities in which the AR/UKRP is located. AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) will conduct the applicable registrations.
Within both the European Union and the UK, AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) is the designated person to handle all communication with the competent authorities.
In case of a dispute with the authorities or regulatory questions concerning your product, AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) can advise you on what steps need to be followed or which legislation is most applicable.
You can only appoint an EUAR/UKRP if you are a manufacturer. If you are a reseller, it is necessary to become a legal manufacturer in order to appoint an EUAR or a UKRP. When placing a product in the market under your name, you will be considered as the legal manufacturer. This means that you will bear all the obligations of a manufacturer and can appoint AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) as your EUAR/UKRP.
You can only appoint an EUAR/UKRP if you are a manufacturer. If you are a reseller, it is necessary to become a private labeller in order to appoint an EUAR or a UKRP. When placing a product on the market under a private label, you will be considered as the legal manufacturer. This means that you will bear all the obligations of a manufacturer and can appoint AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) as your EUAR/UKRP.
Distributors, Transporters and Agents are often asked to act as authorised representatives for their customers. However, these parties often do not want to take this responsibility. AR Experts (part of Certification Experts) can therefore become an EUAR/ UKRP for your customers and take on this responsibility instead.
We notify you if there are regulatory changes pertaining to your product
We help you eliminate risks more efficiently, protect your customers and your business. Unsure whether you’ve done something correctly? We can provide a full risk assessment evaluation.
We provide Authorised Representation (AR) for businesses and e-commerce companies located outside the EU/UK – allowing access to those markets by registering us as your legal partner.
Every manufacturer requires a technical file to reach compliance. We support, compile and review these technical documents for you.
We review your designs and assist you through the prototype phase to ensure critical safety standards are met.
Wherever you’re located, we offer a wide range of expert testing and inspection capabilities, both in house and via our global network of affiliated partners and testing laboratories.
We create a clear and practical compliance roadmap for you in any market. Get expert guidance on cost/time efficiency of certification for accessing multiple markets.
We offer custom training programs led by experts, bringing your team up to
speed with important safety processes and regulations related to your markets.
Make sure your manuals, labelling and packaging are fully compliant with your
chosen markets. From writing to reviewing materials, we’ve got you covered.
We ensure the availability of the technical file in case of requests from authorities
With over 25 years’ industry experience, our team can provide expert guidance
on every aspect of product compliance.
Trust us as your partner to verify the compliance of your products
We register as your official point of contact for market surveillance authorities
You gain access to the EU/UK market, no matter where your business is located
We represent you on your behalf for all legal issues pertaining to your product
Enter any market, no matter the marking or industry. From CE marking and UL to CCC, we offer complete certification guidance and expert services tailored to your unique situation.
