On 1 January 2021 the UK became a “third country” outside the EU’s single market and customs union. After a year of intense negotiations, the UK and the EU have reached an agreement outlining the contours of their future economic partnership. The deal is agreed in principle at negotiators’ level and has already been approved by British parliament and Member Sate Ambassadors to the EU. The European Parliament is also expected to pass the deal. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) goes well beyond traditional free trade agreements, but does not replicate the level of frictionless access that existed while the UK was an EU member. 

It is important for chemical distributors to understand the key elements of the TCA and determine actions that may still need be taken. ICTA has therefore drafted a briefing (attached) giving a broad overview of the most relevant TCA provisions.