Latest European Commission Communication on preparing for the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union

Certifications issued by UK agencies may no longer be recognised by other EU countries!

 

Marine Notice No. 34 of 2018

Notice to all Ship Operators, Ship Masters, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Seafarers, Fishers, Recreational Craft Users, Training Providers, Port Authorities, Equipment Suppliers and Importers and all other stakeholders.

 

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport wishes to draw attention to the latest communication from the European Commission on preparing for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on 30 March 2019. The Commission document COM (2018) 556 final of 19 July 2018 and its Annex are attached to this Marine Notice. 

 

The Commission highlights the importance of intensifying preparedness for Brexit at all levels and encourages all stakeholders that may be affected by the UK’s withdrawal to take the necessary preparedness actions now.

 

Sections 1 and 2 of the document set out the context for preparation and the necessity for all stakeholders to prepare for the two possible scenarios, the UK’s exit from the EU with or without a Withdrawal Agreement. Stakeholders should be aware of the main consequences of each scenario as outlined in the document.

 

Sections 3 and 4 give an insight into who needs to prepare for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Preparedness is not limited to EU institutions or actors at national, regional and local level. The document emphasises that it is important that businesses of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises, prepare and take action now. It adds that private actors, business operators and professionals need to take responsibility for their individual situation, assess the potential impacts of a cliff-edge scenario on their business model, make the necessary economic decisions and conclude all required administrative steps before 30 March 2019.

 

Examples of necessary legislative changes at an EU level are indicated, some of which relate to the maritime sector.

 

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport takes this opportunity to draw attention to other technical notices published by the Commission, which set out the legal and practical implications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and facilitate preparation by EU-27 Member States and by wider stakeholders for the contingency that on 30 March 2019 the UK leaves the EU without a deal on a transitional period having been agreed. 

 

The Department has published four of these notices relevant to maritime transport, as follows:

 

1.  Notice to Stakeholders in the Field of Industrial Products.

2.  Notice to Stakeholders on Seafarers Certificates.

3.  Notice to Stakeholders in the Field of Maritime Transport.

4.  Notice to Stakeholders – EU Ship Recycling Regulation.

 

The relevant notices were attached to  Marine Notice No. 7 of 2018 and  Marine Notice No. 23 of 2018 

 

Full details of all previous Stakeholder Notices are available from the following European Commission website:

 

Link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/brexit/brexit-preparedness/preparedness-notices_en

 

Link to the full document is here - includes the Annexes

 

Irish Maritime Administration,

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, D02 TR60, Ireland.

 

21/08/2018

 

Encl: Annex 1 and 2