“The latest batch of technical notices published by the government gives more clarity on some specific business issues, but many key questions remain unanswered. Firms still need greater precision from the government in order to be able to plan ahead with confidence.
“In the unwelcome event of a ‘no deal’, businesses need clear and comprehensive communication about how they will be affected, and the government should be taking every possible step to minimise the disruption, bureaucracy and costs facing firms in the future.
“Businesses now face the frustration of yet another wait for further answers. Many companies tell us they are deeply concerned by the impression that key information they need in order to prepare for change is being held back due to political sensitivities as the party conference season commences. Speed, precision and clarity are of the essence so that businesses can prepare for change.”
Commenting on product standards regulation, Anastassia Beliakova, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:
“It is worrying to see that in the event of ‘no deal’, the Government plans to introduce new UK-specific conformity marking – requiring business to operate under two sets of conformity assessment regimes if they are trading in the UK as well as in the EU. This has been one of the less discussed areas in the Brexit debate, but one which will, under this scenario, result in significant new administrative burdens for business.”
Commenting on mobile roaming, she added:
“UK citizens are used to being able to access mobile data in the EU without facing roaming charges. In the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario, UK mobile operators would not be bound by EU regulations on roaming charges – and could therefore choose to introduce new costs for consumers. We hope and urge mobile operators not to do so and to provide strong reassurances on this point as soon as possible.”
Commenting on driving licences, Beliakova added:
“Whilst it would of course be a source of frustration that UK driving licenses would no longer be valid in the EU in case of a ‘no deal’ scenario, the Government’s notice provides some clear steps for what should be done in order to continue being allowed to drive in the EU.”
