Brexit

Click here for more information on EU exit events 

Find out more information about how the future relationship between countries will work here Withdrawal Agreement

EU citizens, resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, and their family members (including non-EU citizens) need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue to live, work and study in the UK beyond 30 June 2021.
For more information visit  https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

For information on any changes to legislation, checks and imports and export arrangements go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/moving-goods-under-the-northern-ireland-protocol

The Food Standards Agency 
If your business deals in food, or animal feed, it is your responsibility to make sure it is safe. The Food Standards Agency provides information on their site:  https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/the-uk-transition

Leaving the EU will mean there will be changes to how we label food we produce or bring into Northern Ireland.  Updated guidance on food and drink labelling changes which includes labelling requirements with respect to the Northern Ireland market from 1st January 2021 can be found through this link
The updates to the guidance clarify the position from 1 January 2021 regarding;

• Food Business Operator address - to be a Northern Ireland or EU business address or address of importer

• ‘Origin indications’ for goods produced in Northern Ireland, where indication of a Member state is required, is to be labelled as ‘origin UK(NI)’

• The application of ID marks on products of animal origin; (FSA Guidance)

Businesses will need time to adapt to these new labelling rules, including on FBO name and address requirements and the use of the UK(NI) as an indication of origin. Labelling queries can be emailed to your Environmental Health Officer on envhealth@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk.

The below links will provide more information for businesses on their duties on product safety:

• Product Safety: Brexit Transition Information for Businesses

• Product Safety: Conformity Markings

• Brexit: UKCA markings 

• Guidance to Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations 2016 (GB)

• Guidance to Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations 2016 (NI)

• Electrical Equipment Advisory Letter to Businesses 2021

• Guidance to Toy Safety Regulations 2011 (GB)

• Guidance to Toy Safety Regulations 2011 (NI)

• Toy Safety Advisory Letter to Businesses 2021

• Guidance for businesses who place certain products on the NI market from 16 July 2021
   

For more information on product safety E. envhealth@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk 

The following information may be helpful in identifying solutions and promoting support packages to help businesses prepare for the UK’s departure from the EU.
 

NI Direct
NI Direct Brexit advice: www.nidirect.gov.uk/brexit 

InterTradeIreland
Brexit Planning & Brexit Implementation Vouchers are available for businesses to bring in expert advice on all things Brexit.  These are worth up to £2,000/£5,000 per business and applications can be made online at https://intertradeireland.com/brexit/brexit-funding/

InterTradeIreland has also launched a Virtual Learning Tool to provide a range of other supports available at www.intertradeireland.com/brexit or contact them on 028 3083 4100. 
 

Invest NI
Primarily aimed at its client businesses, Invest NI has developed a ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ Assessment Tool to allow businesses to self-assess and identify key areas of focus. Businesses will be directed to additional online support on sites like Invest NI’s ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ microsite, nibusinessinfo.co.uk, economy-ni.gov.uk, and gov.uk.   

Further support is available in the form of a new Brexit Preparation Grant, offering financial help for businesses to prepare for changes due to Brexit. This includes help towards a dedicated member of staff focussed on Brexit, and renting office space outside the UK to research new markets.

The assessment tool and preparation grant are available to the wider business community, so it is definitely worth checking to see if your business can benefit from this assistance.

Invest NI is running a series of ‘Get Ready for Brexit’ clinics across Northern Ireland. To see if any events are convenient to your business, please visit: www.investni.com/getready4brexit.html or contact Invest NI directly at 0800 181 4422.

There are is also a list of frequently asked questions on the Invest NI webpage – https://www.investni.com/get-ready-for-brexit/faqs.html

Data Sharing
Data sharing advice can be found here - https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-and-brexit/data-protection-if-there-s-no-brexit-deal/

• Business Bulletin - 8 March 2021

• Business Readiness Bulletin - 21 February 2021

• https://www.gov.uk/government/latest?departments%5B%5D=department-for-exiting-the-european-union

• EU Settlement Scheme: Employer Toolkit