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Brexit reminder: EU nationals need to show only passports
THE INDEPENDENT Monitoring Authority (IMA) has issued a letter to airlines and other carriers reminding them that EU nationals only need to show a valid passport to travel to the UK. The Authority monitors EU nationals' rights in the UK as part of the Withdrawal Agreement.
This follows reports of airlines and ferry companies demanding that EU nationals show other evidence before they can board for the UK, such as evidence of their EU Settled Status. Those who were asked for such evidence before they were allowed to board include EU nationals resident in the UK who were returning home.
The IMA open letter to carriers reminds them that they simply need to see a valid EU passport to let EU nationals board. The passengers' Settled Status or lack of it is a matter for UK Borders and Immigration to check at their point of entry into the UK.
Furthermore, EU nationals who have – or have applied for - Settled Status in the UK can still travel to the UK on their EU Member State identity card - until at least 31 December 2025. They should have a digital "pass code" to evidence their Settled Status on arrival; but the carrier letting them on the plane doesn't need to see it.
EU nationals in the UK who believe their rights as EU citizens are being infringed should make a complaint to the IMA.
The CE mark: use is for illustration and not to imply that the Freelance has undergone any certification process
Fit for sale?
Another Brexit deadline looms on 31 December 2022. After then the EU's "CE" quality and safety mark ceases to be valid in the UK. The mark, now displayed on many products, certifies their fitness for sale. A UKCA mark will replace the EC mark within the UK.
The UKCA mark: use is for illustration and not to imply that the Freelance has undergone any certification process
Manufacturers may well have to alter their production lines to have two sets of labelling – one for products destined for sale in the EU, and one for products bound for the UK. There are complications concerning Northern Ireland. Current UK guidance states that "If you are placing goods on the EU market, you must use the CE marking on its own, without the UKNI marking."
The deadline for this change has, however, already been put back once. Some predict that the deadline will be extended again, probably amid the usual widespread last-minute chaos. Watch this space.
Brexit - archive of Freelance coverage