Brexit

The UK left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020 (commonly known as Brexit). A transition period is in place while the EU and UK negotiate new arrangements for a trade deal. It will end on 31 December 2020. There are several specific topics which are of interest to the gases industry, and BCGA has provided links to relevant Government websites. Government guidance is being regularly updated, and BCGA will continue to share key relevant information with members.

BCGA is aware of "Standstill Arrangements" which are being worked on by the UK Government and would follow after the end of the Transition Period if "no deal" was reached. Please consult the Government's Transition Period webpage for the latest information, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/transition

Useful Links

Please see below for the most up to date information from Government on various aspects of Brexit, which are of relevance to BCGA members.

Trade

Importing after the transition period- https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-import-to-great-britain-from-january-2021

Exporting after the transition period- https://www.gov.uk/prepare-to-export-from-great-britain-from-january-2021

Visiting the EU after the transition period- https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021

Doing business in Northern Ireland after the transition period- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moving-goods-under-the-northern-ireland-protocol

World Trade Organisation tariff data- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tariffs_e/tariff_data_e.htm

Taxation, Customs and Excise

Import, export and customs for businesses- https://www.gov.uk/topic/business-tax/import-export

WTO Tariffs 2020: https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/tariff_profiles20_e.pdf

Regulation of chemicals

The UK is currently establishing its own regulatory system for REACH. Defra own the regulation itself, with HSE acting as the operator of the policy and enforcer. Please see below for further information on this and other chemical regulations:

REACH (HSE guidance)- https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/reach-guidance.htm

REACH (Defra guidance)- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-comply-with-reach-chemical-regulations

REACH (European Chemicals Agency guidance)- https://echa.europa.eu/uk-withdrawal-from-the-eu

CLP-https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/clp.htm

PIC- https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/pic.htm

Biocides- https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/biocides.htm

Fluorinated gas (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS) Regulations

Equipment and Machinery- https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/regulating-equipment.htm

Healthcare

Due to the complexity of the regulation for medical devices and transportable pressure equipment these products will not be subject to the new UK framework, and separate arrangements will apply.

Medical industry guidance- https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mhra-post-transition-period-information

Medical devices- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regulating-medical-devices-from-1-january-2021

Transport

The UK will continue to comply with existing legislation for the International carriage of dangerous goods. Road transport will comply with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations [SI 2009 N0. 1348] (as amended). It is expected that the UK Government will enact amendment Regulations to clarify this policy.

Transporting goods by road: https://www.gov.uk/transport-goods-from-uk-by-road

Vehicle approvals: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vehicle-type-approval-if-theres-no-brexit-deal

Equipment

Transportable pressure equipment will comply with the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations [SI 2009 N0. 1348] (as amended). It is expected that the UK Government will enact amendment Regulations to clarify this policy.

The UK Conformity Assessment (UKCA) mark-  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-to-use-the-ukca-mark-after-brexit

Status of conformity assessment bodies- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/conformity-assessment-bodies-change-of-status-from-1-january-2021

UK Accreditation Service and Brexit- https://www.ukas.com/customer-area/ukas-and-brexit/

Placing manufactured goods on the UK market from 1st January 2021- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain-from-1-january-2021

Placing manufactured goods on the EU market from 1st January 2021- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-eu-market-from-1-january-2021

Standards

The British Standards Institute (BSI) has advised that its membership of the International Organizations for Standards ISO and IEC is unaffected by Brexit. Membership of the European Standards Organizations CEN and CENELEC will involve a transition period following Brexit to ensure that BSI can continue its membership of both organizations on a permanent basis.

Standards and EU Exit- https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/about-bsi/uk-national-standards-body/standards-policy-on-the-uk-leaving-the-eu/

FAQs on Brexit and Product Certification- https://www.bsigroup.com/globalassets/localfiles/en-gb/brexit/brexit-product-certification-faqs.pdf