The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is to lead one of four workstreams within a dedicated Brexit Working Group set up by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in advance of the expiration of the UK’s transition period with the European Union on 31 December, 2020.
The CLC Brexit Working Group will advise the government on how to protect construction if no deal is agreed between the UK and the EU by the end of the year. It will also signpost business guidance and information to assist construction industry preparedness to maintain business continuity at the end of the transition period.
The BMF will co-chair the Movement of Goods and Materials workstream along with the Construction Products Association. The two organisations also co-chair the CLC’s Product Availability Group, which was set up in the wake of COVID-19.
Movement of Goods and Materials will cover preparing for the new customs regime, guidance on World Trade Organization (WTO) rules in the event of no agreement with the EU and alternative sourcing opportunities in the rest of the world and the domestic market.
Other workstreams will cover:
Movement of People: Preparing for the new immigration rules, accessing alternative labour supply and reciprocal arrangements on skills and qualifications in the new trade deals.
Standards and Alignment: Guidance on the Construction Products Regulation, EU notified bodies, CE marking, UK designated standards, UKCA marking and the longer-term prospects of (de)harmonisation and (de)alignment.
(The Standards and Alignment workstream will be chaired by the Construction Products Association’s chief executive, Peter Caplehorn).
Data Adequacy: Business awareness of the potential impact and mitigating actions on data flow in the event of no agreement with the EU and no decision by the European Commission on the UK’s ‘data adequacy”.
In addition, the existing workstreams of the CLC will take on Brexit-readiness related work, helping to produce guidance on matters including procurement and contracts.
Andy Mitchell, co-chair of the CLC, said: “The CLC has a leading role to play in getting our business ready for the changes that will come at the end of the transition period. While businesses contend with the fallout from COVID-19 and adjust to the new ways of working, the clock continues to tick on reaching an agreement with the EU. Whether we reach an agreement or not, our relationship with our European neighbours and the rest of the world will change, and we’ll be doing all we can to help the industry adapt, adjust and rise to meet the Prime Minister’s ‘build, build, build’ ambition.”
John Newcomb, chief executive of the BMF, added: “The four workstream areas are critical for business continuity following the Brexit transition period, and the Movement of Goods and Materials is particularly relevant for the building materials sector.
“The BMF will also be helping members keep abreast of changes through a dedicated Brexit landing page on our website. This will go live in September and will host guidance and advice produced by ourselves, the CLC, government and other relevant bodies, to help prepare merchants and manufacturers for changes in our trading relationship with the EU.
“This information will also be included in our regular sector Forums and will be covered in online seminars hosted by the CLC in the autumn.”
The CLC’s Brexit Working Group has been welcomed by the government, with Nadhim Zahawi, Minister for Business and Industry, saying: “The construction industry is a key part of the UK economy, and I am grateful for the ongoing hard work and support the CLC continues to provide, helping to ensure the sector can take the actions needed to ensure a smooth transition from 1 January, 2021.”
