We are looking to import some test equipment into the UK, it is very specialist kit and the supplier is the only manufacture in the world, cost £50k so big investment.

The problem I have is that the kit is not CE marked.

Can I use it in the UK and if so what steps to I need to take to ensure compliance with regulations

Any advice would be appreciated

Hi Peter, the way the CE regulations work is that anyone who imports equipment into the European Economical Area becomes responsible for the kit whether it is CE marked or not. If a manufacturer has a European office then buy through them as they are then responsible.
If not you are, you have to make sure it is fully compliant with the relevant Directives/Regulations which for test equipment will generally be the EMC & Low Voltage Directives.
If it is CE marked you would still be responsible and I would strongly recommend that you need to make sure it has been done correctly (I know of at least one UK based distributor of sports equipment that has fallen foul of this).
If it is not CE marked then you need to undertake the full design review & testing requirements
I guess you this is all new to you so I would recommend that you involve a notified body (I am aware of one that is one of the cheapest and can put you in touch if that is what you want) and most likely an EMC test house as well.
Finally I would however qualify all the above by saying I am sure that many people do import such illegall equipment without doing the above and get away with it for one offs for personnel use. I would not recomend this route however and the fact that it is for personnel use makes no difference in the Regulations.

Thanks thats a great help, we would not use the kit without a safe system of work, so i suspect we will be ok,