The British Woodworking Federation Group
Brexit and the Timber Industry

This page informs woodworking businesses of the implications for the trade in goods between the UK and EU countries and the actions they may want to consider taking to mitigate the potential impacts of Brexit.

Brexit and the Timber Industry

Key Information – Brexit and the Timber Industry

On 31st January 2020 the UK left the EU with a withdrawal bill and an agreed transition period running to the end of the year. To help BWF members prepare for 1st January 2021, we have summarised key information below.

Please note, the following information is subject to change as the UK Government progress with negotiations. We promise to keep this page updated regularly to reflect any changes.

1.0          Transition period

Britain’s exit from the EU officially occurred on 31st January 2020. For 11 months, to 31st December 2020, the UK will follow all the EU’s rules and regulations as if it were a Member State. It will remain in the single market and the customs union, and the free movement of people will continue. Any changes to EU legislation or rules will also automatically apply to the UK during the transition period.

The transition period can be extended once by a newly established EU-UK Joint Committee, as long as it decides to do so before 1 July 2020.

2.0          How to prepare your business for new rules in 2021  

There are a number of things you’ll need to consider as a business before the end of the transition period. To help you prepare for new rules and regulations in 2021, we have summarised information that is relevant to our members and the wider woodworking and joinery manufacture industry, with links to the relevant pages on the Government’s website:

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–  The Competition and Markets Authority has published guidance on its functions under the Withdrawal Agreement.  UK Exit from the EU: Guidance on the functions of the CMA under the Withdrawal Agreement. 

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– The UK is introducing a points-based immigration system from 2021. The Home Office has created this page which will be updated with the latest information about the new-points based immigration system. You can also sign up for email alerts. New immigration system: what you need to know.

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– The Department for International Trade have published guidance to help you find out which trade agreements with non-EU countries are in place during and after the transition period. UK trade agreements with non-EU countries. 

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– The Intellectual Property Office has produced information on trademarks, designs, patents, copyright, and exhaustion of IP rights during the transition period. Intellectual property and the transition period. 

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– The Department for Exiting the European Union produced guidance on International Agreements with third countries during the transition period. International Agreements with Third Countries during the Transition Period.

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– The Intellectual Property Office has produced guidance for businesses and organisations holding EU trademarks at the end of the transition period. EU trademark protection and comparable UK trademarks.

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– The Intellectual Property Office has produced guidance for business holding registered community designs and international trademarks and designs after the end of the transition period. Changes to EU and international designs and trade mark protection from 1 January 2021.

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[su_spoiler title=”Exhaustion of IP rights and parallel trade from 1 January 2021″ open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]

– NEW– The Intellectual Property Office has produced guidance on actions that parallel exporters to the EEA and intellectual property rights holders will need to take after the transition period. Exhaustion of IP rights and parallel trade from 1 January 2021.

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– NEW– The Intellectual Property Office has produced guidance on actions that parallel exporters to the EEA and intellectual property rights holders will need to take after the transition period. Exhaustion of IP rights and parallel trade from 1 January 2021.

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[su_spoiler title=”Changes to international trade mark registrations from 1 January 2021″ open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]

– NEW – The Intellectual Property Office has produced guidance on international trademark registrations protected in the EU under the Madrid Protocol will no longer enjoy protection in the UK after the transition period. Changes to international trade mark registrations from 1 January 2021.

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– Companies House has produced guidance to help you find out whether your business will need to change its company registration from 1 January 2021, and how to do this. Changing your company registration from 1 January 2021. 

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Preparing your business

From 1 January 2021 you will need to make customs declarations to move goods into and out of the EU. You should:

– get an EORI number if you do not already have one.

– decide how you want to make customs declarations and whether you need to get someone to deal with customs for you.

 

More on Brexit

Visit the Construction Products Association website to find out more on Brexit.

More on Brexit
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