BINDT Statement on Brexit
01/10/2020
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union (Brexit) means that we must meet the challenges that this decision will bring and, as the deadline for exiting the EU approaches, we recognise that a number of parties will understandably be concerned. These include our corporate and individual members, as well as the holders of PCN certification and their employers.
In order to ensure that our business is sustainable, we are working closely with the UKCABF (UK Conformity Assessment Bodies for Pressure Equipment) along with BEIS (the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) and UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) to address the potential impact of BINDT’s Recognised Third-Party Organisation (RTPO) status and the validity of relevant PCN certification post-Brexit.
There is still considerable uncertainty as the Brexit negotiations take place and therefore our plans are intended to allow for a large degree of flexibility.
Any updates will be posted on this webpage and through BINDT social media channels.
Update: EA and the impact of Brexit
EA (European Accreditation) has expressed the importance of having UKAS as member, even after the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Accordingly, EA has revised its Articles of Association and introduced the option of a transition period, which will allow UKAS to maintain its membership for further 2 years.
On 14 May 2020 the EA General Assembly approved the following resolution:
The General Assembly acknowledges that UK left the EU and notes accordingly that the National Accreditation Body of UK (UKAS) does not meet anymore the requirements as set out in Article 5 paragraph 1 of the Articles of Association.
The General Assembly, acting upon the recommendation from the Executive Committee, applies Article 6 paragraph 7 of the Articles of Associations and endorses that the National Accreditation Body of UK (UKAS) shall remain an EA Full Member until 31 January 2022. The membership criteria in EA-1/17-S1 continue to apply. This resolution can be changed by the General Assembly, if needed.
During this transition period EA will analyse together with UKAS the results of the negotiation between the EU and the UK and then revise the EA membership criteria with the aim that UKAS remains an EA member. That means also that UKAS will continue to be peer evaluated by EA in order to maintain its MLA signatory status.
For further information click the link below:
https://european-accreditation.org/
To download UKAS's Brexit FAQs click here (PDF).
For more information on the Brexit process and the impact on UKAS’ accreditation, visit the website of the European Commission at https://ec.europa.eu/info/brexit_en
