BIFA understands that Olaf and DG Budget had issues over some of the content of the draft legislation which potentially could lead to changes which will impact on trade. In addition, the Commission’s legal services team had insisted on changes to the wording and structure, which will not impact on the content.
BIFA understands that the Inter-Services Consultation has been completed and that the final versions of the UCC IA/DA are likely to be circulated to stakeholders, including trade, at the beginning of July. It is very regretable that the recent delays will reduce an already tight timeframe for trade and national governments to implement the changes required under the UCC.
BIFA will continue to liaise closely with its Customs Policy Group and HMRC to monitor developments on behalf of the trade association’s members.
Robert Keen, Director General of BIFA says: “The Commission expects the internal formal endorsement of the IA/DA during the last meeting of the College of Commissioners before the summer break, after which the European Parliament and the Council would have two months to give their agreements.
“The Commission has said that it plans to finalise the procedure of adoption by the end of September this year, and BIFA certainly hopes it keeps to that schedule.”
The new legislation aims to usher in the automation of processes and provide a common platform for all customs procedures throughout the European Union.
