Brexit chiefs spell out aims for cross-channel goods after Britain leaves EU

Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-21 23:30:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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LONDON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Two new position papers detailing Britain's negotiating stance on Brexit were published Monday.

The latest position papers outline the British government's negotiating approach to goods on the market and to confidentiality and access to official documents.

They are the first of five negotiating documents being published ahead of a third round of negotiations taking place in Brussels.

The Department for Exiting the European Union (Dexeu) said the documents make the case for why it is in the interests of both the EU and the UK that Britain's exit is as smooth and orderly as possible for businesses and consumers on both sides of the English Channel.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said: "We have already begun to set out what we would like to see from a future relationship on issues such as customs and are ready to begin a formal dialogue on this and other issues."

On "goods on the market" Britain is seeking an agreement with the EU which allows the freest and most frictionless trade possible in goods and services. The paper outlines four key principles for ensuring a smooth and orderly withdrawal from the EU in regard to the availability of goods.

Britain wants to ensure that goods placed on the market before exit day can continue to be sold in the UK and EU without any additional requirements or restrictions.

Secondly, Britain says it wants to avoid unnecessary duplication of compliance activities that businesses must take prior to exit.

It would mean that where products have gone through an authorization process prior to exit, for example a type approval for a car, this approval should remain valid in both markets after exit.

The papers say consumer protection in the EU and Britain are paramount, which means that any agreement will need to facilitate the continued oversight of products to ensure the necessary action can be taken for non-compliant or unsafe goods.

A Dexeu spokesperson said: "Taken together, they would prevent bureaucracy and unnecessary duplication of effort by business, or restricted supply of certain products to consumers, which might otherwise occur."

On confidentiality and access to documents, Davis's office says that as Britain leaves the EU, it will be important to establish a framework for the continued respect of obligations of confidentiality and the protection of official documents exchanged while it was an EU member state.

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