FAQ
Manufactured Goods policies
The UK's departure from the European Union also led to a departure from European agencies related to the manufacture of goods with the potential for divergent regulations to increase costs, reduce competitiveness, and impact product safety and quality for UK consumers. For what are heavily traded and regulated international products, the UK would benefit from revisiting the current arrangements.
17. The UK should maintain regulatory alignment on manufactured products, in particular cars, aircraft, and medical devices with EU standards to facilitate trade and enhance the competitiveness of its manufacturing industries.
18. The UK should seek maximum cooperation in EU agencies related to manufactured goods to promote cooperation and harmonisation in the field of regulation and safety. Including:
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
European Medicines Agency (EMA)
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
European Union Agency for Railways (ERA)
European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)
19. The UK Government should engage in negotiations with the EU to define the terms of the UK's cooperation with these agencies, addressing issues such as financial contributions, access to information and resources, and representation in decision-making processes.
20. Where full accession is not possible, the UK Government should foster collaboration between UK regulatory authorities and the relevant EU agencies to share expertise, data, and best practices related to manufactured goods regulation and safety.
Having previously been a highly regarded participant in bodies such as UNECE and OECD, the UK risks becoming isolated from global regulatory frameworks related to the manufacturing of cars, aircraft, and other products, resulting in a lack of alignment with global standards and best practices, reducing the competitiveness of UK industries and potentially impacting product safety and quality for UK consumers.
21. The UK government should work strategically to maximise the UK’s influence over international standards. This will be essential to promote vital UK interests in the face of intense global competition and ensure that standards for fast-developing technologies such as artificial intelligence reflect UK values and consumer interests.