European Commission: urgently prepare for all Brexit scenarios

The European Commission is calling on all companies to prepare for all possible Brexit scenarios, including a cliff-edge scenario, which would mean the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement and without a transition period on 30 March 2019. All EU member countries, EU institutions and stakeholders have to take all necessary measures for that as well, according to the Commission.

The European Commission published a fact sheet about some important consequences and seven points to take into consideration: ‘as of 30 March 2019, the UK will leave the internal market and customs union and become a third country. Companies in the EU now have to urgently prepare for the UK’s leaving.’

Companies and entrepreneurs have to be prepared for the practical consequences of Brexit, such as customs formalities and changes for the import and export of goods and services. All of these consequences could also affect entrepreneurs in their value chain. The complete list of seven points can be found in the Brexit Preparedness fact sheet.

In addition, the European Commission offers a lot of sector-specific information about everything you have to consider when preparing for Brexit. This information can be found in the so-called notices to stakeholders.

Companies are personally responsible for preparing for the consequences of Brexit. A good preparation costs time and capacity. It’s probable that certainty about the result of the negotiations will only become clear at a late stage. It might then be too late to start necessary preparations.

But as a company you’re not facing this alone. The Brexitloket of the Dutch central government is there for you. Do you want to check what you still have to do to prepare for Brexit? Do you want to know if there might be unexpected consequences for you? Do the Brexit Impact Scan! The seven points of the European Commission have also been taken into consideration in this. Or contact the Brexit customer-contact centre. Our employees are happy to talk to you over the phone or via e-mail.

The EU is negotiating intensively with the UK about an agreement to ensure the UK leaving the EU will happen as smoothly as possible for both citizens and companies.

However, it’s not yet certain that a ratified withdrawal agreement will be in effect at the date of Brexit, including a transition period, during which the UK is still part of the European internal market and customs union. That would be comparable to how it is now. That’s why preparations have already been taken to ensure EU institutions, member countries and private parties are prepared. Moreover, it’s important in any case to already be prepared for the situation after the end of the possible transition period.