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Artifact GuideUKExcepted Products

UK PSTI Product Security Excepted Products

An internet- or network-connectable product is outside the relevant-product definition only when a current Schedule 3 exception applies; record the exact category and facts rather than relying on a broad sector label.

Test every condition in the applicable Schedule 3 paragraph and keep the product facts that support the exception.

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Author
Sorena AI
Published
May 9, 2026
Updated
Jul 24, 2026
4 sections5 primary sources
Overview

An internet- or network-connectable product is outside the relevant-product definition only when it is an under the current Schedule 3. Record the exact category and facts rather than relying on a broad sector label.

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4 of 4 questions
Question 1

Which product categories are excepted?

A connectable product is outside the relevant-product definition only if it meets an exception in the current Schedule 3. The categories cover specified products supplied in Northern Ireland, qualifying electric-vehicle smart charge points, products to which the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 apply, qualifying smart-meter products, specified computers, and three Great Britain vehicle categories added on 25 February 2025. The PSTI regime itself took effect on 29 April 2024.

A category name is not enough. Each paragraph has its own conditions, territorial limits, referenced legislation, and carve-outs. Record the exact paragraph and the product facts that meet every element.

  • Use the current Schedule 3 together with the 2025 vehicle amendment.
  • Check where the product is supplied; the vehicle exceptions apply in Great Britain, while the Northern Ireland paragraph has its own legal test.
  • Reassess separate products in a bundle instead of extending one component's exception to the whole package.
Question 2

Where do the main boundary cases arise?

The medical-device exception applies to products to which the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 apply, but Schedule 3 says a relevant connectable product is not excepted merely because software to which those Regulations apply is installed or operable on it. Classify the hardware product and the software separately.

The computer exception covers desktop and laptop computers and non-cellular tablets, but not products in those categories that the designs exclusively for children under 14. For tablets, cellular capability changes the result. The smart-meter and charge-point exceptions also depend on the specific statutory conditions, not a marketing description.

The vehicle amendment applies in Great Britain to motor vehicles and trailers, and systems, components, and separate technical units intended for them, where Regulation (EU) 2018/858 applies; two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles where Regulation (EU) 168/2013 applies; and agricultural and forestry vehicles where Regulation (EU) 167/2013 applies. Test an accessory against the cited sector instrument instead of assuming that everything sold for a vehicle is excepted.

  • Keep the intended-purpose evidence used for computer and children's-product decisions.
  • For medical products, identify which product the Medical Devices Regulations apply to and do not transfer the software's status to unrelated hardware.
  • For vehicles, map the product to the scope of the exact sector regulation; an accessory associated with a vehicle is not automatically excepted.
Question 3

What evidence should support an exception decision?

Keep the product model and configuration, connectivity analysis, market and supply route, intended purpose, category-specific evidence, cited legislation, owner, reviewer, decision date, and change triggers. If the exception depends on an assurance scheme, licence holder, sector regulation, or product label, preserve the record proving that condition.

Do not discard the scope record after deciding that a product is excepted. A firmware, connectivity, intended-purpose, product-composition, market, or legislative change can alter the result.

Question 4

Questions and answers

Which products are excepted from the UK PSTI product-security regime?

Current Schedule 3 covers specified Northern Ireland supplies, qualifying electric-vehicle smart charge points, products governed by the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, qualifying smart-meter products, specified desktop, laptop, and non-cellular tablet computers, and specified Great Britain vehicle categories. Each category has its own conditions.

Are all medical-device software and connected hardware excepted?

No. The exception applies to a product to which the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 apply. Schedule 3 prevents unrelated hardware from becoming excepted merely because regulated medical-device software is installed or operable on it. Classify the software and physical product separately.

When should an excepted-product decision be reassessed?

Reassess when connectivity, intended purpose, age targeting, cellular capability, product composition, market, supply territory, sector-law coverage, label or scheme status, or Schedule 3 changes. Preserve the earlier scope record and document the facts supporting the new result.

Recommended next step

Document the exact Schedule 3 exception

Record the product, supply territory, applicable Schedule 3 paragraph, every condition, supporting sector-law evidence, owner, reviewer, and reassessment trigger.

Assessment workflow
Open Assessment Autopilot for UK PSTI Product Security

Create category tests, evidence fields, boundary questions, and reassessment tasks from this guide.

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Research workflow
Review UK PSTI Product Security source evidence

Use Research Copilot to answer follow-up questions with cited source material.

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Talk to Sorena
Talk through UK PSTI excepted-products implementation

Review scope, evidence, owners, and the next compliance actions with Sorena.

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Primary sources

References and citations

PSTI Amendment Regulations 2025
legislation.gov.uk2 citations
Referenced sections
  • Binding source for the Great Britain vehicle exceptions effective 25 February 2025.
  • Adds specified motor, two- or three-wheel and quadricycle, and agricultural and forestry vehicle categories in Great Britain from 25 February 2025.

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