Brexit advice and help
Brexit news continues to dominate the headlines and will continue to do so as we get ever closer to the date of the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU). But what will a deal or no deal Brexit mean for businesses?
At the the 3 Chambers, we want to help our members understand what the EU withdrawal will mean to them and keep business owners updated with the latest information, advice and support available.
The government has been implementing a significant programme of work to ensure the UK will be ready in all scenarios, including a potential ‘no deal’ outcome (where the UK leaves the EU without agreement).
Below are links to help you navigate Brexit and keep up to date with events.
Preparing for EU exit
The government has set-up a central website to provide information and guidance for businesses to prepare for the EU exit. It includes important information on everything from importing and exporting to employing EU citizens, product standards and regulations, intellectual property and personal data. Please see below for more details:
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Online Brexit tool
The Government has devised an online tool to give reliable advice on how your business can prepare for Brexit. Please see below for more details:
www.gov.uk/business-uk-leaving-eu
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EU Settlement Scheme
The EU Settlement scheme is a Home Office run scheme which is implicated to ensure all EU citizens who live in the UK currently can continue to live, work and study like they do now. EU citizens have until June 2021 to apply for this scheme (or December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU on a no-deal basis).
Even if this does not affect your business please ensure that you are distributing this throughout your whole organisation so your colleagues and customers are completely aware of the action they need to take.
Please visit www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status for details.
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Visiting Europe after Brexit
The Government has prepared some online advice for those who may be travelling to Europe after Brexit. This includes vital information on passport and VISA requirements which may be necessary for staff travelling for businesses.
Find out more details by clicking the link below:
www.gov.uk/visit-europe-brexit
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Guidance for hauliers
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal in place, hauliers will be required to complete customs checks when exporting their goods into the EU. It will be the responsibility of traders to obtain the accurate paperwork for the goods being carried by hauliers.
The Government have provided an online guide and handbook for hauliers with details on how they can prepare to continue their travels and export goods freely.
For further details please visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/transporting-goods-between-the-uk-and-eu-in-a-no-deal-brexit-guidance-for-hauliers
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Get an EORI number
You need an EORI number to move goods into or out of the EU (including the UK).
If you do not get one, you may have increased costs and delays. For example, if HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) cannot clear your goods you may have to pay storage fees.
HMRC is automatically enrolling VAT registered companies into an important customs system. More than 88,000 VAT registered companies across the UK will be allocated an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number in order to keep trading with customers and suppliers in the EU after the UK has left.
To ensure you have yours please click for more details: https://www.gov.uk/eori
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Data advice for businesses
Act now to keep receiving personal data from the EU.
If your business or organisation receives personal data from partners or suppliers in the EU or EEA countries you must act now to ensure you can still do so legally after Brexit.
Personal data is any information that can be used to identify someone, this could include a customer’s name, physical or IP addresses, or HR data such as staff working hours and payroll details. To continue receiving personal data legally after Brexit can be as simple as adding a new clause into your supplier contracts.
Find out how you can prepare at https://www.gov.uk/brexit-personal-data
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Cyber security
Studies have shown that historically there has been a rise in cybercrime following large notable events impacting the UK as criminals capitalise on any possible confusion.
For example, there have already been a number of reported scams following the collapse of Thomas Cook. As we head towards the UK’s exit from the EU there is an expectation that there may be an increase in the number of cyber security attacks against organisations and individuals using the situation as a cover story.
Taking time now to review your businesses cyber security provision and colleague education will help to protect your business from any future disruption from a cyber incident.
You may find the Metropolitan Police’s Little Book of Cyber Scams 2.0 an useful guide as well as the below websites:
Get Safe Online
Cyber Aware
Take Five – To Stop Fraud
https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk
Action Fraud
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk
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Construction Products Regulation (CPR)
Due to the EU exit, changes to the construction products regulation will occur. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, European harmonised standards and UK designated standards will be identical. Notified bodies operating under the CPR and based in the UK will be granted a new UK ‘approved body’ status and listed on a new UK database.
To read more details about these changes please click the links below:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/construction-products-regulation-if-there-is-no-brexit-deal
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/465/made
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-to-use-the-ukca-mark-after-brexit
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Get Ready for Brexit webinars
HMRC are running webinars that will provide an overview of what UK businesses need to do to keep importing and exporting goods between the UK and EU.
Please find further information here:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6556129852233668609?source=Sep-HMRC-Comms-GOV
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British Chamber of Commerce guides
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has compiled three Guides to help businesses understand the changes to Rules of Origin, Tariffs and Custom Declarations in the event of a No-Deal Brexit. The Guides help you learn what these changes are, how they apply to you and what might be different.
How UK businesses will need to change the way they import and export goods in the event of leaving the EU Single Market.
Rules of Origin -
Where are your products from? Sounds simple but can be very complicated. Learn how this is determined and what will change.
Tariffs -