Brexit: Updates on Technical Standards, Pensions, Labour, Imports & Exports and more…

Brexit: Updates on Technical Standards, Pensions, Labour, Imports & Exports and more…

30 October 2019

In the last few days, the GGF has gathered more information on the implications of Brexit on technical standards, pensions, labour, exporting and importing including the Irish Protocol

Technical

The latest review of technical standards has now been uploaded onto the GGF Technical section of The Brexit Hub. This comprehensive review has been compiled by the GGF technical experts and covers the scenarios when the UK leaves the European Union, with or without a deal. This latest update offers expert guidance on how your business could be affected in terms of compliance with technical standards and regulations, following Brexit.

To read in full please click here https://www.ggf.org.uk/brexit-hub/technical-standards/

Pensions

Prepare your Pension Scheme for Brexit 

When the UK leaves the EU, the GGF advises all companies with employee pension schemes to make sure they are prepared if they offer pension schemes offering defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC). Please see information from The Pensions Regulator, the link below to find out how to prepare your scheme for Brexit and the steps you may need to take.

https://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/en/prepare-your-pension-scheme-for-brexit

Exporters and Importers and the Irish Protocol

When Brexit happens, there will be tax and customs changes that could affect you if you are an importer or exporter of glass, glazing and fenestration products, parts or machinery.

Currently, the UK is a member of the EU Single Market and Customs Union, guaranteeing free and frictionless trade between all member states. The Government intends to leave both the Single Market and Customs Union, which may affect your business’s ability to trade with the EU.

It may sound obvious but the effects of Brexit on your business will depend on the terms of the UK’s exit. Please follow this link to see the different scenarios facing importers and exporters including companies importing and exporting to and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  

https://www.ggf.org.uk/brexit-hub/imports-exports/

Labour

As a member of the Single Market, workers from all EU member states are free to work in the UK. After Brexit this will no longer be the case, and this may impact your business’s ability to recruit and retain skilled labour. Considering the importance of EU nationals to the UK construction industry, the end of free movement is a real concern for many businesses.

As an illustration of the acute challenge facing the sector, recent Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) research indicates that approximately 168,000 workers across a range of skill sets will be needed by 2022 in order to meet current construction requirements. In order to address this, initiatives to preserve the sustainability of the workforce are being prioritised by the GGF.

Read more on the potential scenarios around retaining and recruiting overseas workers.

https://www.ggf.org.uk/brexit-hub/skilled-labour/

The GGF will issue more updates as and when changes happens or news breaks to ensure you are prepared for Brexit. All updates will be on the GGF Brexit Hub.