Dear BSIF Members,
The European Commission has issued a notice concerning the effect of the UK leaving the European Union on all economic operators within the remaining 27 members, and also the implications for UK Notified Bodies and future product certification. Please be clear that this notice does not take account of any transitional or ongoing Mutual Recognition Agreement that may yet be arrived at.
As of the date of withdrawal (00.00h 30th March 2019) distributors based in the remaining 27 EU countries that wish to place on the market PPE products sourced from the UK will become “Importers” into the EU, and will then take on the additional obligations of an importer. In the event that the UK does not reach any agreement the reality is that they (the EU) will not determine the conditions under which PPE is placed on the UK market. This would be the responsibility of UK authorities alone.
BSIF are in communication with The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for their official interpretation of this notice as it also states that products placed on the EU market will require certification issued by a Notified Body from within the EU. It states that for products currently certified by a UK Notified Body this can be done by applying for a new certificate (from an EU NB), or by an arrangement to transfer the current certificate to an EU NB, which will then take on future responsibility for it.
BSIF has been lobbying the UK Government and the Department for Exiting the EU for a Mutual Recognition Agreement to be in place in time for our withdrawal from the EU to address these points, and your Federation will continue to lobby hard for this during the time remaining. We will keep you informed as the situation develops.
The Commission document can be downloaded from the BSIF website by following this link –
Notice to economic operators – EU legislation on industrial products
Regards,
Frank Angear General Manager
British Safety Industry Federation
Mob: +44 (0) 789 660 8891 Web: www.bsif.co.uk