Do you sell alcohol? Here’s why Stamped Glasses matter.
For licensed premises, using correctly stamped and lined glasses is an important part of maintaining compliance and demonstrating good practice. During a visit from Trading Standards or Weights and Measures officers, businesses may be asked to show that their glasses are suitable for the sale of measured drinks and meet the required standards. Using approved stamped glasses provides clear evidence that your premises takes its legal responsibilities seriously, helping to avoid potential issues and giving both staff and customers confidence that drinks are being served accurately.
CE or UKCA: Which marking should you look out for?
In short, both marks work. Here’s why.
CE stamped glasses were introduced in 2006 and replaced the old crown stamp we used to see on Pint Glasses in pubs. Things remained largely unchanged, and along came Brexit. Since the UK’s departure from the European Union, there has been considerable confusion surrounding product conformity markings. Many businesses supplying licensed premises have questioned whether they should purchase products displaying the UKCA mark or continue using CE-marked equipment.
The current position is clearer than many realise. Current UK Government guidance confirms that both CE and UKCA conformity markings continue to be recognised in Great Britain for many regulated products, including measuring instruments where the relevant conformity assessment requirements have been met. This means businesses can confidently purchase CE-marked products without concern that they are accepted under UK law.
Choosing the Right Stamped Glassware for your business
Whether you’re opening a new venue, replacing existing glassware or preparing for a busy events season, it’s important to use lined glasses and stamped glasses that are within current UK requirements. While the introduction of UKCA marking has caused some uncertainty, businesses should be reassured that both UKCA and CE stamped glasses are currently recognised for use in the UK market.
At Cater For You, we supply a comprehensive range of CE and UKCA stamped lined pub glasses suitable for pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, clubs and event organisers. Because our stock has been sourced over a period during which the regulations have evolved, customers may receive either CE or UKCA stamped products, depending on the batch available.
Both CE and UKCA stamped glasses supplied by Cater For You meet the legal requirements for use in the UK, giving operators confidence that they are purchasing compliant products.
Because many manufacturers supply both the UK and European markets, you’ll often find CE marked glasses remain the preferred production standard. This allows the same glassware to be supplied throughout Europe while remaining fully acceptable for sale in Great Britain under current legislation.
For businesses, the key consideration should not be whether the glass carries a CE or UKCA mark, but whether it has been supplied by a reputable retailer that understands the legal requirements and sources compliant products. Purchasing from an established supplier provides reassurance that the glassware has been manufactured to the relevant standards and is suitable for use where drinks are sold by quantity. At Cater For You, we’ve worked with one of the UKs leading Reusable Plastic Glass manufacturers for over 15 years. They know their stuff and the product range is market leading. This enables us to continue supplying customers throughout both the UK and the European Union while ensuring our products meet the relevant conformity requirements. For our customers, this provides continuity, wider product availability and confidence that the equipment they purchase complies with the applicable standards.
As legislation continues to evolve, keeping up with legislative requirements can seem daunting. That’s why we believe in providing clear, practical guidance alongside our products, helping our customers make informed purchasing decisions with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stamped Glasses
What are stamped glasses?
Stamped glasses are drinking glasses, reusable plastic glasses or unbreakable polycarbonate glasses that have been manufactured and conformity assessed for use as an official capacity serving measure. The markings show that the glass is suitable for serving a stated quantity, such as a pint, half pint or 175ml glass of wine.
Modern verified glasses normally carry a CE or UKCA conformity mark together with the supplementary metrology markings, including an M mark, year identification and the number of the body involved in the conformity assessment.
Do I need stamped glasses?
You normally need a correctly marked capacity serving measure when the glass itself is used to measure and serve alcohol sold by quantity.
For example, draught beer and cider must be sold in specified quantities, including one-third, one-half, two-thirds of a pint or multiples of half a pint. Still wine, fortified wine and certain spirits also have prescribed serving quantities.
You may not need a stamped drinking glass where the drink has already been accurately measured using separate approved equipment, such as a verified spirit measure or metering system, and the receiving glass is not being used as the measure. Businesses should seek advice from their local Trading Standards service if they are unsure about their particular dispensing system.
What is the difference between CE and UKCA stamped glasses?
CE and UKCA are conformity markings showing that the manufacturer has followed the relevant legal requirements and conformity assessment process.
CE is the European conformity marking, while UKCA is the United Kingdom Conformity Assessed marking introduced for products placed on the market in Great Britain following Brexit.
For capacity serving measures sold in Great Britain, current government guidance recognises appropriately marked CE or UKCA products, provided all relevant conformity requirements have been met. The mark may look different, but both routes can provide legally acceptable stamped glassware.
What does the M mark mean on a pint glass?
The M is a supplementary metrology marking used on regulated measuring instruments. It indicates that the glass has been assessed under the applicable measuring-instrument requirements rather than simply being an ordinary drinking glass.
The M marking appears alongside the CE or UKCA mark and other required information, which can include the year of conformity assessment and the identification number of the approved or notified body.
The M should not be confused with the quantity marking, such as one pint or 568ml. The quantity tells you the capacity of the measure, while the M forms part of the glass’s legal conformity markings.
What is the difference between lined and brim-measure glasses?
A lined glass has a clearly marked fill line showing where the liquid should reach to provide the stated quantity. Any space above that line allows room for a head, foam, ice or a mixer, depending on the drink being served.
A brim-measure glass is designed to contain the stated quantity when filled to the top edge of the glass. For example, a brim-measure pint glass must be filled to the brim to provide a full pint.
Lined glasses can make it easier for staff and customers to see that the correct amount of liquid has been served, particularly when serving drinks that commonly have a head.
Are CE stamped glasses still legal in the UK?
Yes. Appropriately conformity-assessed CE stamped capacity serving measures can still be placed on the market and used in Great Britain under current UK arrangements.
A CE mark by itself is not necessarily the complete marking. A compliant capacity serving measure should carry the full set of applicable conformity information, including the supplementary metrology markings and relevant identification details.
Northern Ireland operates under different product-marking arrangements, so businesses supplying or operating in Northern Ireland should check the specific rules that apply there.
Whether you’re replacing a handful of pint glasses or fitting out an entire pub, restaurant or event venue, choosing correctly stamped glassware ensures you’re serving drinks legally and accurately. Our team can help you select the right products for your business, whether you need beer glasses, wine glasses, spirit measures or reusable plastic glasses.
Can I use old crown stamped glasses?
Yes, provided they remain legally suitable for their intended use and meet the applicable requirements. Crown-stamped glasses were verified under the previous system before CE marking was introduced in 2006. Many older glasses remain perfectly serviceable, although businesses replacing glassware will normally purchase modern CE or UKCA marked products.
