After Brexit, the UK is finally free from the ‘dictatorship’ of Brussels and no longer bound by unwanted regulations (which for many years it helped to define). Supposedly, these rules and regulations were set up by ’unelected bureaucrats’, whose only raison d’être is to create miles of unnecessary ‘red tape’. Now, the UK is gloriously free to define its own rules, which suit the country much better, and make everything easier.
That is true – in theory.
Take, for example, medicines. They have to be approved for use. In the past that was done by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Now Britain has its own organisation for this purpose: the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Because, of course, British regulations (by dint of them being British) are much better than the European ones, it was a logical step to do this. Now Brits can again trust in the medicines they are offered.
But, unfortunately there are some tiny drawbacks as well. The British manufacturers have to go through two approval processes, if they want to sell their products outside the UK as well. Not all foreign companies are willing to go through this additional process and would rather give up the UK market.
A new definition of ‘efficiency’
The situation in Northern Ireland is even more complex, because it is still de facto in the single market and has to follow EU rules as well as UK rules.
The situation with the CE mark is similar. This mark confirms that products are compliant with the EU regulations that apply to these items. (It is NOT a quality mark!). Of course, Britain, as a sovereign state that can do whatever it wants can no longer be stifled by the EU (and unrestricted trade with our neighbours) and therefore has to set up its own rules (mainly duplicating the EU rules). And compliance with these rules can be confirmed with the new UKCA mark.
But again, manufacturers have to go through two approval processes, if they want to sell their goods outside of the UK. (The CE mark is well established, and even importers in countries where this mark is not mandatory, recognize the value and sales argument of it.)
And, as with the medicines, smaller manufacturers outside the UK may give up the UK market instead of going through the hassle and considerable cost of getting a second confirmation certificate – which basically says nothing different from the CE certificate.
Further sticking points
If that was not enough, there is additional complication and confusion with Northern Ireland. For British companies who want to sell their goods in Northern Ireland there is the ‘simplification’ that only one compliance mark is needed: the new UKNI standard. A slight problem with this is that items marked as UKNI are not allowed to be sold in the EU.
Of course, according to the political rhetoric, this has not created any more red tape, but merely additional ’administrative hurdles’ (can anyone explain the difference?). And everything can be handled easily with a bit more time and money (both of which are plentiful in a time of rampant inflation and a burgeoning cost-of-living crisis).
If in doubt, blame the EU
The anti-Brexit (according to some commentators) brexiter, Rishi Sunak, has now decided that for an unlimited time the CE mark will still be recognized in the UK (and, of course, in NI). This may save some companies some expenditure, but what will happen now with all the people who are/were involved in the definition, setting up and checking of the UKCA and UKNI marks?
Whatever happens, please do not forget that this is all the fault of Brussels and the EU. Everything could and would be so much easier, smoother and cheaper if the EU countries would just simply accept and follow the UK rules and regulations (which, as we have established, are always the best in the world). This would be Brexit done ’properly’. But what would then happen to one of the few growth industries left in the UK: the manufacturing of red tape?
