BCC comments on David Davis speech

Director General Adam Marshall comments on Brexit Secretary David Davis’ Vienna speech on standards and regulations once the UK leaves the EU.

Commenting on David Davis’ speech in Vienna, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The Government’s commitment to maintaining high standards following the UK’s departure from the EU is an important step on the road toward greater clarity for business. 

“To deliver an environment where high standards underpin strong trade links, the UK must retain its leading role in both global and pan-European standard-setting. Standards are set by industry, for industry, and businesses expect the UK Government to take decisions that help secure our already-strong position.”

On regulation, Adam Marshall added:

“UK firms would welcome a pragmatic agreement between the UK and the EU that ensures businesses face only one set of regulatory approvals to sell their goods across borders. This is important to ensure business continuity and effective supply chains on both sides of the English Channel, in industries from cars to cables.

“It is incumbent on the UK Government to demonstrate the basis for mutual recognition between the UK and the EU – and it is the EU’s responsibility to be open to such an arrangement as the negotiations progress.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

The standards applied by the EU on goods manufacture are developed by a range of industry bodies such as CENELEC in the case of standards for electrical equipment, at a European level, not just EU-wide.  They develop the standards in concert and consultation with similar bodies across the globe.  In the EU, their standards are generally adopted by the regulation.

An EU “regulation” is a binding legislative act. It must be applied in its entirety across the EU. For example, when the EU wants to make sure that there are common safeguards on goods imported from outside the EU, the Council adopts a regulation.

Harmonised EU standards mean that businesses can compete to sell the products they manufacture in a consistent and safe way, inside or outside of the EU.  Buyers can also be reassured that goods produced to a standard will be safe.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

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