The end is near: Preparing for the end of the Brexit Transition Period

The Brexit transition period is ending on the 31^st of December 2020, as established in the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement (the ‘Agreement’), which came into force on the 1^st of February 2020.

What happens now that the UK is no longer an EU Member State?

Once the transition period is over, that is, as from the 1^st of January 2021, the UK will become a ‘third-country’. This will have various implications on the internal market, whilst also substantially impacting public administrations, businesses and citizens alike. It is important that all stakeholders are ready for the changes which will come about as of the 1^st of January 2021.

The European Commission (the ‘Commission’) has published the following two documents which can serve as guidance in this regard:

1. Getting ready for changes- Communication on readiness at the end of the transition period between the European Union and the United Kingdom; and
2. ‘BREXIT Readiness Checklist’- For companies doing business with the UK.

The Commission is also undergoing a process of reviewing various sector-specific stakeholder preparedness notices, which may be accessed here. These notices focus on a vast range of sectors, including climate action, competition, employment, social affairs and inclusion, energy, financial services, transport, health and food safety, and trade.

If you would like to read more about how Brexit will be impacting your Intellectual Property rights, including EU Trade Marks and Registered Community Designs, you can find more information here.

If you require any assistance and information on any general Brexit-related issues and how this will be impacting your businesses, please contact us on info@gvzh.mt!