Vital parts for British goods such as cars and fridges could fall into a legal limbo as Brexit red tape holds up supply chains, The Independent has learnt.
Manufacturing is at risk from serious disruption because the government has failed to devise a suitable replacement for the EU’s safety standards system.
This means components needed for use in the UK will not have a suitable “kitemark” to guarantee a product is safe which could force manufacturers and their suppliers to down tools or divert their trade elsewhere, leading figures warn. Without confirmation that these safety and environmental standards are met, products and parts cannot be sold on the UK market.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/busi ... 95077.html
This is very much a homegrown problem and - once again for those keeping up - on that could easily have been avoided if Boris Johnson had been paying attention to the detail.
A quick summary for those who don't click links. There is presently a set of safety standards signified by the 'kitemark' that shows products are safe and fit for use. These kitemarks are built into trading standards, consumer protection, product liability laws and a raft of other every day considerations. For example if your office has a fridge that breaks down whomever you purchase a replacement from must supply one that has the required safety standard - it isn't an option it's a legal requirement.
Britain was offered the chance to stay in the scheme that awards kitemarks. Boris declined preferring to have the UK's own safety standards. On a side not here the kitemark was a minimum standard, going above the requited minimum does not cause and issue so the only reason not to join would be in the Conservatives were planning to lower standardss. However the EU were quite happy to offer the UK a deal where each recognised the others safety standards - something Boris turned down again.
So now as of January 1 British manufactured goods will no longer be covered under the European Scheme.
The problem is most won't yet be covered under the British scheme either. Manufacturers had to apply to join the British Safety Standard and there is a significant backlog processing registrations.
The immediate problem will probably be overcome - the UK will most likely ask the EU for an extension of the January 1 deadline and the EU will probably agree.
Longer term overseas customers will also have to change their legislation to recognise the British Standards and the UKCA - Britian's own conformity standards agency - has admitted that will leave UK manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage for years.
This also probably explains why so many of the UK's 'cut and paste' trade deals have signed Britain up to comply with European safety standards for decades to come.