STANDARD & LEGISLATION - UCIF Informs
Brexit: Threat or Opportunity? Marcello Zinno UCIF – Italian Surface Treatment Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, Milan, Italy
O
info@ucif.net
ne of the thorniest issues
it will be possible to use the tried and
currently under discussion to regulate the
regarding the exports of Italian
tested CE mark for another year (until 31
movement of goods and avoid such specific
companies to European countries
December 2021).
controls. For example, on 1 January 2022,
currently concerns the UK’s exit from the
As for customs procedures, rules have
the CE marking will cease to be recognised
European Union, also known as Brexit. In
been created that oblige companies that
in the United Kingdom but not in Northern
fact, as you may have got to read on the
intend to have commercial relations with
Ireland.
March-April 2020 ipcm® issue1, this will
the United Kingdom to have an Economic
Finally, for people travelling to the UK on
have an impact not only at the European
Operator Registration and Identification
business, it will not be mandatory to have
level, but also on international trade (in
(EORI) Number; otherwise, there is a risk
a visa if the trips are limited to a period of
that article, we specifically dealt with
that the goods will be blocked at customs
less than 6 months. In any case, a passport
Italy’s relations with the USA), as well on
or even seized. It will also be important
will be required to enter the United
politics (the fall of Prime Minister Theresa
to prepare a certificate of origin of goods,
Kingdom as of 1 October 2021.
May and the election of Boris Johnson
since goods entering the UK from a
The regulatory process is still evolving but,
were encouraged precisely to promote
European country will be considered on a
as always, getting to know it and staying
the country’s exit from the EU). The new
par with those of a non-European country,
updated allows avoiding any risks and
situation that will be created shortly (the
and check Incoterms.
continuing to export without any problems,
so-called “transition period” ends on 31
Ireland is an even more particular and
while enjoying a significant advantage over
December 2020) will be full of pitfalls,
delicate matter, because Northern Ireland
those who do not have all the necessary
which deserve to be analysed in order to
belongs to the United Kingdom, while
guarantees. ANIMA and UCIF can support
understand if any opportunities will arise
Ireland (Eire) will continue to be a part
every company in this.
for companies interfacing with foreign
of the EU. Politics tend to agree that the
partners.
creation of a physical border between the
First of all, the United Kingdom’s exit raises
two countries should be avoided, in order
a series of questions about the rules to be
not to undermine the peace process signed
applied on the English territory when the
in 1998. At the same time, there will be
European ones will be no longer valid. In
the need to prevent products destined
practice, in order to ensure commercial
for the UK from travelling through Ireland
continuity, EU rules will continue to
to circumvent the new
apply, but the new mark called UKCA
legislation. An Internal
(UK Conformity Assessed) is going to
Market Bill is
progressively replace the CE mark. This mark, however, will be valid only within the UK borders, as is not currently recognised in the EU. In order to avoid hindering the European trade, it has been decided that 1
M. Zinno, Brexit: what effects will it have on our rela ons with the USA?, in ipcm® Interna onal Paint&Coa ng Magazine no. 62 (March/April 2020), p. 201.
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N. 66 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 - international PAINT&COATING magazine