In this week’s EU exit corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and an email from HMRC on the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. See also the most recent EU exit bulletin which features every Friday in Chartered Accountants eNews. And information on an important meeting last week which discussed the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill is also included.
Institute attends meeting on NI Protocol Bill
Last week, the Institute attended a meeting of the Joint Customs Consultative Committee (“JCCC”) where HMRC and UK Government officials shared information on what is contained in the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.
Officials told attendees that there is no change to the procedures currently in place for moving goods and no action is needed by traders while the Bill is making its way through Parliament. In addition, existing stand-still arrangements and grace periods and easements remain in place.
Officials confirmed that secondary legislation will develop the technical detail but were able to share the following:-
- The “green lane” approach will be underpinned by the existing Trusted Trader Scheme and the current requirement to be established in the UK rather than Northern Ireland specifically would apply;
- A dual regulatory regime would be established whereby traders can choose between UK and EU standards;
- Existing stand-still arrangements, grace periods and easements remain in place;
- ‘Adequate’ time will be given for any new changes to be implemented;
- Officials are aware of concerns that a dual regulatory regime could mean a border on the island of Ireland, but their view is that the Bill does not necessitate a North/South border; and
- Officials acknowledged that the design of new schema needs to be prepared with close engagement with businesses and that a system in theory does not always work in practice.
Government officials were told by the Institute that businesses in Northern Ireland need certainty on the processes which they will face in addition to the expected timeline for any changes. Furthermore, the importance of Northern Ireland continuing to have access to EU markets was also stressed. According to the officials, the UK has not sought to disapply this particular Article of the Protocol.
A consultation process on the new regime will be announced shortly; we will keep members updated.
Miscellaneous updated guidance
The following documents/guidance relevant to EU exit have been updated/published recently:-