Uncrewed aircraft
UK drone class marks for manufacturers
Since 1 January 2026, new models of drone placed on the UK market for use in the Open category need a UK class mark, from UK0 to UK6. For manufacturers, importers and distributors this is product regulation: design requirements, conformity assessment, labelling and market surveillance by the Civil Aviation Authority. This guide sets out how it works and what changes in 2028.
Not legal advice. The rules are in The Unmanned Aircraft (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and the UK regulations they amend. The CAA's guidance pages are the authoritative plain-English source, and some details are still being phased in.
The legal framework in brief
- Product rules for drones intended for the Open category sit in the delegated regulation on unmanned aircraft systems (the UK version of Regulation (EU) 2019/945), amended by The Unmanned Aircraft (Amendment) Regulations 2025. Those amendments replaced the European C0 to C6 classes with UK0 to UK6 for the UK.
- Operating rules sit in the implementing regulation, also amended, with some changes from 1 January 2026 and others from 1 January 2028.
- The CAA is the market surveillance authority for these products as well as the aviation safety regulator.
The UK classes
| Class | Maximum take-off mass (CAA summary) | Where it can be flown in the Open category |
|---|---|---|
| UK0 | Less than 250g | A1, over people (not crowds) |
| UK1 | Less than 900g | A1, over people (not crowds) |
| UK2 | Less than 4kg | A2, near people, with an A2 certificate; otherwise A3 |
| UK3 | Less than 25kg, under 3m in size | A3, far from people |
| UK4 | Less than 25kg | A3, far from people |
| UK5 | Less than 25kg | Specific category, with an operational authorisation |
| UK6 | Less than 25kg, under 3m in size | Specific category, with an operational authorisation |
Each class also carries technical requirements, which the CAA describes as covering performance and reliability, geo-awareness, remote identification and lighting, among others, depending on the class. The regulation's annexes set out the detail for each class.
What manufacturers must do
- Decide the intended class and design to that class's requirements from the start. Retrofitting features such as remote identification or geo-awareness is harder.
- Choose the conformity assessment route. The CAA describes three: internal production control (self-declaration), type examination by a third-party body, and full quality assurance using a quality management system approved by a third-party body. The route available depends on the class.
- Prepare technical documentation showing how each requirement is met, with test evidence.
- Draw up the declaration of conformity and affix the UK class identification label as the regulation requires.
- Provide the required information with the product, including instructions and the information the regulation lists for users.
- Monitor products on the market and take corrective action, including withdrawal or recall, where a product does not conform or presents a risk.
The 2028 change for UK1, UK2 and UK3
The CAA states that from 1 January 2028, manufacturers must obtain a type-examination certificate from a UK-approved conformity assessment body for UK1, UK2 and UK3 class drones, and that until 31 December 2027 EU-approved certificates can be used for the equivalent C1 to C3 classes. Internal production control remains available for UK0, UK4, UK5 and UK6. Manufacturers relying on an EU certificate should plan the UK assessment well before the end of 2027. UKAS accredits conformity assessment bodies for this work.
Importers and distributors
| Role | Key checks |
|---|---|
| Importer | That conformity assessment has been done, the technical documentation exists, the product carries the class mark and required information, and the importer's details are on the product or packaging |
| Distributor | That the product carries the class mark and the required documents before selling, and that storage and transport do not affect conformity |
Importers and distributors who find a problem must not place the product on the market until it is put right, and must inform the manufacturer and, where there is a risk, the CAA.
European class marks and older drones
For operators, the CAA allows a drone with a European C class mark to be flown in the UK as if it were the corresponding UK class until 31 December 2027. From 1 January 2028 that transitional arrangement ends. Drones without a UK or European class mark follow weight-based rules. Manufacturers selling in both markets should plan for separate UK and EU marking.
Beyond the Open category
- Military drones used by the armed forces are regulated by the MOD's Military Aviation Authority, not by the civil class marking regime. Suppliers to defence programmes follow the contract's airworthiness requirements.
- Export controls apply to many uncrewed aircraft, their components and technology. See control list classification.
- Selling to defence: see how to become an MOD supplier.
A pre-launch checklist for a new model
- Intended class confirmed and every requirement for it listed.
- Conformity assessment route chosen, and a UK body engaged early where one is needed.
- Test evidence gathered for each requirement, including remote identification and geo-awareness where the class requires them.
- Technical documentation complete and stored where it can be produced on request.
- Declaration of conformity signed; class identification label designed and applied.
- Instructions and user information checked against the regulation.
- Importer and distributor roles agreed in writing where you sell through others.
- Serial numbers and component lots recorded, so that any recall can be targeted.
- Export control classification checked for the drone, its parts and its software.
Common questions
Can we still sell drones without a class mark?
New models placed on the market for Open category use need a UK class mark from 1 January 2026. Check the CAA guidance for how the rules treat other products, such as those intended only for the Specific category.
Is a UK class mark the same as a UKCA marking?
No. Uncrewed aircraft have their own regime. See UKCA marking for the general product rules and the sectors that sit outside them.
Who checks compliance?
The CAA, as market surveillance authority, can evaluate products and require corrective action, withdrawal or recall.
Do components suppliers have obligations?
The class mark obligations fall on the manufacturer of the drone. The manufacturer will ask its component suppliers for the evidence it needs, such as test data and part traceability for remote identification and flight-critical parts.
Last reviewed 2026-09-17