United Kingdom · General Products

Traceability in the United Kingdom

A practical guide to Traceability for general products sold in the United Kingdom: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Products must be traceable by batch so recalls can reach affected units; Online sellers shipping consumer goods into the United Kingdom

Authority

Department for Business and Trade

Legal basis

Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) Regulations 2024

Local representative

A local responsible operator is required

Timeline

Before sale

Cost

Varies by product and testing scope

If you do not comply

Withdrawal, fines, and liability

Who needs this

Products must be traceable by batch so recalls can reach affected units
Online sellers shipping consumer goods into the United Kingdom

Documents you need

Batch and distribution records
Risk assessment and technical file
Test reports to applicable standards
Declaration of conformity

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Batch and distribution records
Risk assessment and technical file
Test reports to applicable standards
Declaration of conformity

How to comply

Record batch codes and distribution
Identify the applicable product safety rules
Assess risks and test where required
Prepare the declaration and technical file

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: Traceability — United Kingdom
Product category: General Products
Authority: Department for Business and Trade
Legal basis: Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) Regulations 2024

Documents we already have:
  1. Batch and distribution records
  2. Risk assessment and technical file
  3. Test reports to applicable standards
  4. Declaration of conformity

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under Traceability in the United Kingdom?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before sale.

Varies by product and testing scope.

Common rejection reasons

No batch records for the shipment
No risk assessment
Test report missing
Instructions not in the local language

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.