Brexit Update 2.12.2020

UPCOMING BREXIT INFORMATION SESSIONS FROM THE CFA

The CFA is running a couple of members-only Brexit information sessions in the coming weeks. The next meeting of the CFA Manufacturers Committee on Tuesday 8 December will hear a presentation from Duncan King of the Construction Products Association. He will be giving expert guidance on the new regime for CE, UKCA and UKNI marking, along with associated product testing and labelling.

This session will be repeated for all members (with tailored content of interest to the wider audience) on 19 Jan 2021. Both of these will be by Zoom and members can register for either session at meetings@cfa.org.uk and the relevant links will be supplied. 

NEW BREXIT GUIDANCE FOR CONTRACT FLOORING SECTOR FROM GOVERNMENT

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, has stressed again that there will be no extension to the Brexit transition period, which is due to end at the end of this month, and that business operations risk being interrupted for those companies that are not ready. 

There will be new rules to follow from 1 January 2021 and businesses should act now to avoid their operations being interrupted when the transition period ends.

Information for the whole construction sector is available at Gov.uk. According to the Government, the most important actions which businesses should take now include:

1. Check the new rules on importing and exporting goods between the EU and Great Britain from 1 January 2021. Different rules will apply in Northern Ireland. Your business could face delays, disruption or administrative costs if you do not comply with new customs procedures from 1 January 2021.

2. Use Gov.uk to identify changes affecting manufactured goods, such as new marking requirements or approvals needed, to ensure your business is ready to sell them in the UK and EU.

3. If you are planning to recruit from overseas from 1 January 2021, you will need to register as a licensed visa sponsor. You may not legally be able to hire people from outside the UK if you do not have a licence. New employees from outside the UK will also need to meet new job, salary and language requirements. Irish citizens and those eligible under the EU Settlement Scheme are not affected.

4. If you are moving goods into, out of or through Northern Ireland, check the latest guidance. At the end of the transition period, the Northern Ireland Protocol comes into force. There will be special provisions which only apply in Northern Ireland so if you move goods into, out of or through Northern Ireland make sure you check the latest guidance.

You also need to check with your suppliers and customers that they are taking the correct actions for their businesses.

The Government has a number of webinars on offer, which will walk you through the upcoming changes. These are available to watch on demand.