Asked to rank biggest risks of WTO-Only Brexit. Really hard question, on which @PeteNorth303 has done some outstanding reporting.
Will try to list just a few in some semblance of order, assuming literally nothing else bar WTO is in place on Brexit day 1.
Will try to list just a few in some semblance of order, assuming literally nothing else bar WTO is in place on Brexit day 1.
1. Planes.
The EC has put out a notice saying the EASA certificates pilots and planes require to fly into the EU will no longer be valid if issued by the UK. Every single piece of documentation a plane/pilot requires will need to be re-issued by an EASA Member. That's a lot.
The EC has put out a notice saying the EASA certificates pilots and planes require to fly into the EU will no longer be valid if issued by the UK. Every single piece of documentation a plane/pilot requires will need to be re-issued by an EASA Member. That's a lot.
2. Customs Authorities
By all accounts, the customs officials at neither Calais nor Dover are remotely equipped, prepared to staffed to handle having to calculate, impose and verify based on risk assessments, tariffs between the EU and UK.
Could be huge delays.
By all accounts, the customs officials at neither Calais nor Dover are remotely equipped, prepared to staffed to handle having to calculate, impose and verify based on risk assessments, tariffs between the EU and UK.
Could be huge delays.
3. 'Competent Authorities'
Many EU technical regulations on goods require certification of compliance. The EC put out a notification saying that as of Brexit, certificates from the UK don't count. All covered products will need EU-27 certification. Not fun.
Many EU technical regulations on goods require certification of compliance. The EC put out a notification saying that as of Brexit, certificates from the UK don't count. All covered products will need EU-27 certification. Not fun.
4. Financial Services
The UK is of course a financial services hub for Europe. Absent a deal, UK based institutions could lose the ability to offer some services to EU citizens. Depending on the host EU Member state, some branches may even lose their licenses.
The UK is of course a financial services hub for Europe. Absent a deal, UK based institutions could lose the ability to offer some services to EU citizens. Depending on the host EU Member state, some branches may even lose their licenses.
5. Trucks
To operate professionally in the EU as a road transport operator or transport manager, you need a certificate of professional competence from an EU Member authority. As of Brexit, those issued by the UK cease to count.
To operate professionally in the EU as a road transport operator or transport manager, you need a certificate of professional competence from an EU Member authority. As of Brexit, those issued by the UK cease to count.
Unless each and every one of these is dealt with either through a big package, or on a case by case basis through direct negotiations between competent authorities, the shock could be considerable.
*** WTO LAW WILL PROVIDE NO IMMEDIATE PROTECTION ***
*** WTO LAW WILL PROVIDE NO IMMEDIATE PROTECTION ***
The best way to learn about this (apart from asking @PeteNorth303) is to browse the EC's Brexit Preparedness Notices.
They list, in horrifying detail, which licences/certifications required for training will cease to be valid on Day 1 of Brexit.
ec.europa.eu/info/brexit/br…
They list, in horrifying detail, which licences/certifications required for training will cease to be valid on Day 1 of Brexit.
ec.europa.eu/info/brexit/br…
