What is an Authorised Representative?
An Authorised Representative (AR) is a legal party based in the European Union (EU) or the United Kingdom (UK) that acts as a liaison between a manufacturer outside of the EU/UK and competent national authorities within the EU/UK.
The Authorised Representative acts within the EU/UK on behalf of the manufacturer and ensures that the products being sold on the EU/UK market comply with the applicable product safety legialtion.
The key responsibilities and roles of an Authorised Representative include:
- Verifies CE marking and/or UKCA marking
- Registers as EU/UK point of contact
- Ensures the availability of technical documentation/technical file
- Cooperates with market surveillance authorities
Even though the appointment of an Authorised Representative is not mandatory for most products. It is strongly advisable for non-EU/UK businesses intending to sell their products in the EU/UK, whether directly, online, or through a fulfillment service provider, to consider appointing an Authorised Representative.
For medical devices, this appointment is mandatory (Article 11(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/745), known as an EC Rep in Europe and a UK Responsible Person (UKRP) in the UK.
Due to regulatory changes such as Brexit and the Market Surveillance Regulation, more businesses require an Authorised Representative to sell their products in the EU/UK. Find out more about our Authorised Representatives services:
Alternatively, you can get contact us directly to register us as your Authorised Representative (AR).
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