It’s now under 200 days until the end of the Art. 50 Brexit negotiating period. I’m guessing that’s why we have had an absolute deluge of technical guidance papers popping out of the UK Government[1]. Although many are in the “unlikely event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal” it’s almost as if that’s the aim. Incidentally, some papers drop the “unlikely” altogether.
If only this huge effort could have been channelled towards something useful. Certainly, to apply so much civil service effort to health and education would have been a much better idea.
13 September 2018 has been a busy day for the Government’s publications people. As yet, there’s no paper on my favourite subject: Aviation. That’s still in the works.
There’s a hint of what maybe to come. Here’s some words form the paper on vehicle Type Approval.
“After March 2019 if there’s no deal. In a no deal scenario, type-approvals issued in the UK would no longer be valid for sales or registrations on the EU market. EC type-approvals issued outside of the UK, would no longer be automatically accepted on the UK market. This means that affected manufacturers would need to ensure that they have the correct type-approval for each market.”
So, duplication, extra costs and other such waste is on the way.
Here’s a random list of the papers published:
Haulage permits and trailer registration
Arrangements for future haulage permit and trailer registration schemes after leaving the European Union (EU).
UK nationals in the EU: essential information
Information on the rights and status of UK nationals living and travelling in the European Union (EU).
Passport rules for travel to Europe after Brexit
Advice for British passport holders in the unlikely event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
How to prepare if the UK leaves the EU with no deal
Guidance on how to prepare for Brexit if there’s no deal.
‘No deal’ Brexit advice for businesses only trading with the EU
HMRC letters to VAT-registered businesses only trading with the EU that explain changes to customs, excise and VAT in the unlikely event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
European Regional Development Funding if there’s no Brexit deal
How current and future European Regional Development Fund projects would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Trading goods regulated under the ‘New Approach’ if there’s no Brexit deal
How trading in harmonised goods regulated under the ‘New Approach’ would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Upholding environmental standards if there’s no Brexit deal
How businesses and others regulated through environmental quality standards would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Travelling to the EU with a UK passport if there’s no Brexit deal
Check whether you would be affected by changes to rules for British citizens travelling to some European countries after March 2019 if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Recognition of seafarer certificates of competency if there’s no Brexit deal
How seafarers would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Merger review and anti-competitive activity if there’s no Brexit deal
How merger review and investigations into anti-competitive activity would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal
Accessing public sector contracts if there’s no Brexit deal
To explain how existing or potential bidders for UK public contracts and public sector buyers would be able to access and publish future public procurement contract opportunities if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Using and trading in fluorinated gases and ozone depleting substances if there’s no Brexit deal
How businesses dealing with fluorinated gases (F-Gases) and ozone depleting substances (ODS) would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
European Social Fund (ESF) grants if there’s no Brexit deal
How organisations receiving European Social Fund (ESF) grants would be affected if the UK leaves the European Union (EU) with no deal.
Industrial emissions standards (‘best available techniques’) if there’s no Brexit deal
How standards for emissions from industry affected by the Best Available Technique (BAT) regime would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Reporting CO2 emissions for new cars and vans if there’s no Brexit deal
How vehicle manufacturers would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Travelling in the Common Travel Area if there’s no Brexit deal
Confirmation that the Common Travel Area arrangements and the associated rights and privileges of British and Irish citizens are protected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Vehicle type approval if there’s no Brexit deal
How vehicle and component manufacturers would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Driving in the EU if there’s no Brexit deal
How holders of UK driving licences would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Trading under the mutual recognition principle if there’s no Brexit deal
How importing and exporting non-harmonised goods would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Getting an exemption from maritime security notifications if there’s no Brexit deal
How shipping companies would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Travelling with a European Firearms Pass if there’s no Brexit deal
How travelling with a European Firearms Pass would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Data protection if there’s no Brexit deal
How the collection and use of personal data would change if the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 with no deal.
Trading in drug precursors if there’s no Brexit deal
How trading in drug precursor chemicals would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Appointing nominated persons to your business if there’s no Brexit deal
How appointing a nominated person to carry out duties on your behalf when selling certain goods would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Running an oil or gas business if there’s no Brexit deal
How oil and gas energy businesses would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Funding for UK LIFE projects if there’s no Brexit deal
How organisations receiving funding under the EU LIFE programme would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
What telecoms businesses should do if there’s no Brexit deal
How the telecoms regulatory framework would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Mobile roaming if there’s no Brexit deal
How leaving the EU without a deal would affect mobile roaming in EU and EEA countries.
Connecting Europe Facility energy funding if there’s no Brexit deal
How applying for and receiving energy grants from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) fund would be affected if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
Broadcasting and video on demand if there’s no Brexit deal
How the rules for broadcasters and providers of video on demand services would change if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/brexit
John Vincent 