CILT backs Lords’ post-Brexit recommendations

In January 2021, the House of Lords EU Select Committee launched a coordinated series of inquiries analysing the TCA and its implications for the future of UK-EU relations. CILT responded to this inquiry and is pleased to see its comments and advice included within the report. 

Kevin Richardson, chief executive, CILT(UK), says: “We strongly support the Committee’s conclusions that the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) ‘does not rectify significant regulatory, logistical and administrative barriers to trade’, falling short of the ambition of frictionless trade. Significant supply chain shifts will result from new rules of origin requirements imposing additional costs on both UK and overseas businesses. Ongoing cooperation on technical barriers to trade is critical, to overcome a failure to agree mutual recognition of conformity assessment. 

“CILT further supports the recommendation that steps are taken to simplify the application process and lower the threshold for entry, to enable easier access for small businesses to the Authorised Economic Operator scheme, as well as the call for additional funding for development of effective customs infrastructure. For long term prosperity, a return to business as usual in the trading and transport sectors by re-establishing trust between UK and EU member states is essential. This can be achieved within the spirit of the TCA.”