Additional responsibilities for businesses importing from UK after Brexit

The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD has reminded businesses that if they source products from the UK, they will take on additional responsibilities as an importer after Brexit.

As it stands, the UK is scheduled to leave the EU as of 11pm on March 29. In light of ongoing uncertainty in Britain, we continue work to prepare for the UK’s exit. Therefore, all businesses concerned have to prepare, make all necessary decisions, and complete all required administrative actions before then, in order to avoid disruption.

Minister Humphreys said, “After Brexit, goods destined to or coming from the UK will be subject to EU rules on import/export to and from third countries. Businesses must take the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the EU’s import/export prohibitions and restrictions, including checking their supply chain. This applies regardless of whether there is a deal or not.”

“My Department will continue over the coming weeks to highlight the key issues that businesses need to be aware of in the run up to Brexit, and the Government supports that are available to them to mitigate its impacts”, the Minister said.

Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD said: “Before the UK leaves the EU, it is critical that businesses assess all aspects of their potential exposure. After Brexit, companies in Ireland will no longer be able to rely on UK-based Notified Bodies to undertake third party conformity assessments required under relevant EU law. They will instead need to source an EU-based Notified Body legally designated to carry conformity assessments. A list of Notified Bodies is available on the EU ‘NANDO’ website.”

Irish businesses are also advised that

• Products imported from the UK post-Brexit need to be EU compliant.
• Businesses need to understand the vulnerabilities in their supply chains. They need to know the full supply chain for all their products (machinery, chemicals, etc.) and how it is linked to the UK, including via distributors.
• Irish companies sourcing their product from the UK after Brexit may become an EU importer with additional legal responsibilities for compliance of the product with EU law.
• When UK leaves, UK registrations, authorisation or notifications under REACH and CLP will not be valid. This means the role of businesses in Ireland may change from being a downstream user of chemicals to an importer.
• The European Commission has published an important and useful Q&A for businesses which sets out guidance in relation to industrial goods on the Union market and the legal position and requirements after Brexit.

Further advice for businesses on how to prepare for Brexit and information on the suite of Government supports available, please visit:

www.prepareforbrexit.ie

www.intertradeireland.com/brexit/

www.hsa.ie/brexit

www.nsai.ie/brexit