Comment by BVAA CEO Rob Bartlett

As we draw ever closer to the final act of the horror/drama that is ‘Deal or No Deal,’ with its phases of humdrum interwoven with fervent Latinesque passion, it is still as difficult as ever to determine whether or not the UK and EU negotiators will actually come up with a mutually agreeable Brexit compromise.

That they do is critically important to both sides of the channel, as indeed it is inside to both sides of the Irish Sea.

EU-watchers will know that the EU does have a rap-sheet of extreme 11^th hour compromises, but of little comfort when your business, your livelihood, in many cases your entire life savings, are dependent on two career-bureaucrats, trying not to blink first.

However, it is not enough to sit back, cross your fingers, and hope for the best.  There’s a significant risk it may not end as well as we hope, and companies on both sides of the divide must prepare.

And irrespective of any deal, whatever it might encompass, there are still many elements that won’t be ‘undone’ by a deal, and businesses must prepare for those in any case.  Many of these will require substantial planning, dialogue with Competent or Notified Bodies, suppliers, IP and export issues and so on. 

It’s a substantial piece of work, and as some are seeing, sometimes involves a substantial cost.

Here at BVAA our team, comprising many member-volunteers, were quick out of the blocks with a Guide to PED technical ramifications in spring 2019, and recently updated that with the extended knowledge and interpretation we’ve acquired from staff, members, NGOs and Government.  There are still – frustratingly - some grey areas when policy is racing ahead of delivery.  However the new guide (BV002284) must be read now and action plans agreed promptly with the various disciplines in your business.

The subject of Brexit however is far too wide and encompassing for BVAA to try and cover all aspects with BVAA guides.  Indeed it is extremely volatile in many areas, changing constantly – we would never stop editing and re-issuing, amid a great deal of confusion.

In instances where we find particularly relevant topics, somewhat less well known, as we did with Personal Data and also Intellectual Property recently, we’ll make a special point of communicating it direct to members, via our daily LinkUp newsletter, special communiques, HotSpots, emails to CEOs or committees, and so on. 

Where it is of interest but not central, progress-points etc., it’ll most likely be broadcast by us via social media.

However most non-technical / non-valve industry specific aspects are best covered - and often excellently so and constantly up-to-date - in the Government’s own guidance.  We have a list of these at https://www.bvaa.org.uk/export-of-goods.asp and we add new key topics regularly.

Be prepared!

Published: 30th October 2020