A change in conformity regulation could boost UK and European economic growth and remove trading barriers, according to several leading trade organisations on both sides of the Channel.
In a letter seen by the Daily Update, leading trade bodies from both the EU and the UK have called for a mutual recognition agreement on conformity assessment.
According to the organisations, such an agreement would:
· Increase stability for regulatory environments
· Avoid duplicating conformity assessments for both British and European businesses who want to trade in both markets
· Provide greater availability of conformity assessment bodies
Common goal
The letter said:
“The common goal of industry on both sides is to achieve efficient market access with as few administrative and bureaucratic hurdles as possible.
“Considering the ambition to deepen the trading relationship, and the upcoming EU-UK Summit on 19 May, the below signatories therefore call on the EU and the UK to pursue a mutual recognition agreement on conformity assessment, recognising it as a practical and achievable measure to reduce unnecessary barriers to trade.”
It goes on to note that this agreement could be achieved either as part of a ‘mini-deal’ or alongside other industry-focused measures. The letter also highlighted that the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) is assessed to the same standard as EU equivalents, making it easier to achieve an agreement.
Background
Trade between the EU and UK has suffered since Brexit, with many businesses complaining that new rules have created additional costs and delays.
UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has made technical agreements on certain parts of the EU relationship a major part of his plan to rebuild relations with Brussels and European allies.
The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs trade relations, is also due to be reviewed next year.
Further, both the Labour government and the administration of European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, have made economic growth and simplification of regulation a major part of their policy agenda.
List of bodies
The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, as well as LightingEurope, Make UK and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, have signed the letter.
The Chartered Institute’s EU public affairs lead, Fergus McReynolds, said:
“Following industry-led discussions, a mutual recognition agreement on conformity was identified as one of the ways in which we could reduce trade barriers between EU and UK businesses.
“Such a mutual recognition agreement could deepen our trading relationship and boost economic growth on both sides of the Channel. It’s in everyone’s interests to explore how this would work, particularly with the TCA up for review soon.”
