The end of the transition period, how does the tech sector prepare?
Between 31 January 2020 and December 31 2020 the UK is in a transition period from its position as an EU Member State to being fully outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union. During this transition period most business conditions (unless explicitly stated in the Withdrawal Agreement) remain unchanged.
The UK Government and European Union have negotited a Trade and Cooperation agreement to set the terms of trade between the UK and EU from 1 January 2021 onward.
However even with this deal there will be a significant change in business conditions requiring additional steps for business to trade goods and services. Businesses across the tech sector must therefore be prepared for the new terms of trade on 1 January 2021.
As the new relationship takes effect there may be some disruption. techUK remains in close contact with the UK Government to alert them to any impacts on businesses, please get in touch with any impacts that you are facing at [email protected]
Checklists to help you prepare from the UK Government:
- How to prepare if you work in the digital, technology and computer services sector
- How to prepare if you work in the telecoms and information services sector
- How to prepare if you work in the electronics and machinery sector
- How to prepare if you work in the consumer goods sector
- How to prepare if you work in the science, research and innovation sector
- Using personal data in your business or other organisation from 1 January 2021
- The UK Government's self diagnosis tool for tailored guidance and advice
- Moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021
Additional resources from the UK Government and UK regulators:
- The UK Government’s end of transition hub, gov.uk/transition
- The UK’s new border operating model from 1 January 2021
- Webinars to help businesses prepare for the end of the transition period
- Sign up for the Trader Support Service (TSS), a free to use service for businesses who move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- End of Transition Business readiness bulletin, from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Information from the ICO on data protection after the transition period
- Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the end of the transition period (for example on chemicals and heavy machinery)
- The UK Government’s approach to negotiations with the EU
- SME Brexit Support Fund
Resources from techUK:
- The Brexit Trade deal, what does it mean for the tech sector?
- Data, adequacy and the future relationship – an explainer
- FAQs on data flows after the transition period
- FAQs on the movement of people and workers after the transition period
- FAQs on business regulations after the transition period
- FAQs on importing and exporting goods after the transition period
- End of transition webinars and podcasts
- £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund calls for applications
Resources from the European Commission:
For any further questions or requests please contact Neil Ross who leads on techUK’s work on the UK-EU future relationship. Details can be found below.
Neil Ross
Neil Ross
As Associate Director for Policy Neil leads on techUK's public policy work in the UK. In this role he regularly engages with UK and Devolved Government Ministers, senior civil servants and members of the UK’s Parliaments aiming to make the UK the best place to start, scale and develop a tech business.
Neil joined techUK in 2019 to lead on techUK’s input into the UK-EU Brexit trade deal negotiations and economic policy. Alongside his role leading techUK's public policy work Neil also acts as a spokesperson for techUK often appearing in the media and providing evidence to a range of Parliamentary committees.
In 2023 Neil was listed by the Politico newspaper as one of the '20 people who matter in UK tech' and has regularly been cited as a key industry figure shaping UK tech policy.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- @neil13r
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilross13/