The latest release of no-deal Brexit technical notes presents a ‘dangerous and damaging future’ to your UK’s small firms, according to the FSB.
National Chairman Mike Cherry declared that what the technical notes highlighted was raise the risk that in particular exporting and importing small firms would be hit with additional cost burdens and sophisticated numbers of compliance them to simply can’t handle.
“Small business owners were striving to become compliant with new personal data protection changes which include GDPR. For most, it can be come at great cost in cash and time. Whenever we leave the EU next March with out a deal, businesses using data for customer lists, and selling products online, is usually necesary to invest a longer period and your money dealing with contracts and paperwork to figure out how you can legally keep doing so. It is time and money they could ill afford.
“The results Commissioners’ Office may currently have a major role to learn in providing support and guidance for smaller firms to make certain they remain compliant regarding a no-deal scenario.
“Product tests are just the same and having circumstances where potentially small firms seeking to sell certain products into the EU, that are tested by the UK based body, now required to ensure their goods are retested by an EU recognised body, could only behave as a barrier to easy trade. You will be charged more, be more difficult and lead to extra regulatory hoops that small companies might be pushed to jump through.
“Our studies show that part of small firms consider non-tariff barriers just like essential as tariff barriers in deciding where they import or export. The main concern as an increased administrative burden which they brings.
“Our smallest firms do exactly not have the capacity or resources to deal with added costs and administrative burden the unplanned no-deal Brexit will bring. We’ve been fast running out of time for them to secure a business-friendly Brexit that avoids this scenario and centres over a transition period.”
