Brexit red tape hits UK manufacturing of goods from cars to fridges

The United Kingdom’s manufacturing of goods from cars to fridges is getting hit by Brexit red tape, which holds up supply chains, according to The Independent.

With the possibility of vital parts for such goods falling into a legal limbo, manufacturing is at risk from serious disruption, it reported.

It added that as the government has not yet devised a suitable replacement for the European Union’s safety standards system, components essential for use in the country will not have a suitable “kitemark” to guarantee a product is safe.

And, unless there is confirmation that these safety and environmental standards are met, products and parts cannot be sold on the UK market.

During Brexit negotiations, the UK could not secure an agreement with the bloc to recognize one another’s safety standards, known as conformity assessments (CE).

Currently, products throughout homes and offices in Britain and Europe have the stamp “CE” which means they meet European health, safety and environmental standards.

The job to police these kitemarks is carried out by a government-approved testing body, and from January 1, 2022, the majority of products must be separately approved for a UK regime.

However, the failure to secure recognition for the UK’s conformity assessment (UKCA) bodies has badly impacted upon the UK’s advantage in international trade.

And according to the government’s own guidance, “it was not the desired outcome” in negotiations.

Now, industry bodies, factories and conformity assessors are saying that there is not enough capacity, or no capacity at all for testing certain goods ahead of the January 1, 2022 UKCA compliance deadline.

The situation might lead to a major falling out between business and government and hold up business’ recovery attempts in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the government has been unwilling to extend the deadline for insisting on UK-only checks, saying that it is a matter of UK sovereignty and that businesses must not use delaying tactics to avoid changes, The Independent said citing sources.