Energy Industry Guide

Top considerations for January 2021 onwards

Sector regulation 

1. EU ETS/UK ETS: What are your obligations?:  From 1 January 2021, the UK has in place a UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS), established under the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020.  The UK ETS replaces the EU ETS and covers the same industry sectors as the EU ETS.  In the same way as under the EU ETS, operators to whom the UK ETS applies will need to apply for a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions permit and surrender a number of allowances equal to the amount of qualifying GHG emissions emitted by an installation in each scheme year.  
   
   However, if your UK-based organisation currently participates in the EU ETS it must comply with its EU ETS obligations for the 2020 scheme year.  Verified annual emissions reports for the 12 months of 2020 must be submitted by 31 March 2021, and allowances for 2020 emissions must be surrendered by 30 April 2021. Importantly, UK organisations will have access to their Holding Accounts up to 30 April 2021, but holders of Trading Accounts, Person Holding Accounts, Person Accounts in National Registry and Former Operator Holding Accounts in the UK sections of the Registry will no longer have access to these accounts from 1 January 2021.  
   
   The TCA requires the UK and the EU to "cooperate on carbon pricing" and "give serious consideration to linking their respective carbon pricing systems", there are no formal plans at this stage for the UK ETS to be linked to the EU ETS.
   
2. REMIT registration - Do you need to re-register?:  From 1 January 2021, the EU’s Regulation on Energy Market Integrity and Transparency (REMIT) applies in GB as domestic legislation, administered and enforced by Ofgem (referred to here as "GB REMIT").  For Northern Ireland, the REMIT regulation continues to apply as outlined in the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement.
   
   For the time being, Ofgem will recognise current registration by market participants in both the UK and EU Member States (and Northern Ireland).  However, if your organisation is a market participant currently registered with Ofgem, and wishes to enter into transactions or place orders to trade in wholesale energy products where delivery is in the EU, your organisation is required to re-register with a national regulatory authority of an EU Member State (because UK registration will no longer be recognised for the purposes of the EU REMIT regime).  Market participants who need to register for the first time can now register with Ofgem for the purposes of the GB REMIT regime.
   
   For the purposes of the GB REMIT regime, market participants are not (for the time being at least) required to report to Ofgem the data currently reported to ACER.  
   
   The TCA requires the UK and the EU to cooperate "with a view to detecting and preventing trading based on inside information and market manipulation".  This means that Ofgem, in performing its functions under the GB REMIT regime, may exchange information with ACER, where appropriate.
   
3. REGOs - Will they be recognised?:  While the various incentive schemes for renewable energy in the UK have not been impacted by Brexit, one exception to this is in relation to Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs).  While Ofgem has confirmed that it will continue to issue REGOs and recognise Guarantees of Origin (GoOs) from EU Member States after 31 December 2020, the EC has said that UK REGOs will no longer be recognised by EU Member States.
   
4. Trading across electricity interconnectors:  From 1 January 2021, cross-border flows across electricity interconnectors are no longer governed by EU legislation.  In accordance with the TAC, a new model for electricity trading across interconnectors will be developed, but this will take time and in the meantime alternative arrangements are in place.
   
   From 1 January 2021, market de-coupling means that capacity across the interconnectors linking the UK with France, Belgium and the Netherlands will be allocated through explicit day-ahead allocation.  If your organisation is involved in trading electricity across any of the interconnectors, you will need to become familiar with the new access rules approved for each of the five interconnectors.
   
5. Trading across gas interconnectors:  From 1 January 2021, cross-border flows across gas interconnectors are no longer governed by EU legislation.  However, the impact on the gas interconnectors linking the UK with Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland is less significant than the impact on electricity interconnectors.  Belgium and the Netherlands have passed legislation confirming that they will continue to use the Network Code on Capacity Allocation Mechanisms in Gas Transmission Systems, and Ireland has confirmed that no changes to trading arrangements are necessary.  
   
6. Nuclear – A new UK regime: Following the UK's withdrawal from the Euratom Treaty, from 1 January 2021 the UK has in place a new UK State System of Accountancy for, and Control of, Nuclear Materials and a domestic safeguards regime, overseen by the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
   Separately to the TCA, the UK and Euratom have entered into a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, committing to cooperation on civil nuclear, including safeguards, safety, and security.
   
7. Energy from Waste – Future opportunities?: For the purposes of waste export, from 1 January 2021 the UK is treated in the same way as any other OECD country or any country party to the Basel convention that intends to export waste to an EU country.  While the TCA means that no tariffs will be payable in relation to the import, to the EU, of waste originating in the UK, customs formalities will still need to be complied with. It is uncertain what impact this will have on exports of UK municipal waste, if there is greater impetus to deal with waste locally, then this may present future opportunities for Energy from Waste projects.
   
8. Upstream oil and gas: The upstream regulatory regime is unaffected, as the UK has a highly developed domestic regime and in fact the EU Offshore Safety Directive was largely based on the UK EHS regime for upstream oil and gas.
   Under the terms of the TCA, the UK and the EU have committed to cooperating on environmental, health and safety (EHS) issues relating to offshore oil and gas operations.  Moreover, the UK has committed to ensuring that EHS regulation for offshore oil and gas is separate from any licensing function, although this reflects the regulatory position already in place in the UK.
   
9. Tariffs on imports: Under the terms of the TCA, no tariffs will apply to goods originating in the UK which are being exported to the EU and vice versa.  The zero tariffs will not apply if the goods being imported or exported originate in a third country.  This is a positive development when compared to a "hard" or "no deal" Brexit position for sectors such as oil and gas and renewables, as component parts that need to be sourced from the EU will be able to be imported free of tariffs, although customs requirements will still need to be complied with.  
   
10. Oil stocking obligation: Before 1 January 2021, the UK's oil stocking obligations derived from both International Energy Agency (IEA) requirements and the EU Oil Stocking Directive.  From 1 January 2021, the EU Directive-derived obligations (which are higher than those of the IEA) will no longer apply, but the UK will still have an oil stocking obligation regime based on IEA requirements.  
    
    The Government has said that levels of obligation from 1 January 2021 will be communicated to obligated companies as soon as possible, but businesses should follow the established processes for meeting and reporting obligations.
    
    From 1 January 2021, if your organisation is obligated under the UK oil stocking regime, it may not be able to purchase so-called tickets (rights to withdraw oil from stocks held remotely) from EU countries and, conversely, UK stocks may not count towards EU oil stocking obligations.
    

Top considerations for January 2021 onwards 

1. New UK immigration system: Employers will need to understand the new UK immigration system.  This does not apply to Irish nationals, but anyone else coming to work in the UK from 1 January 2021 onwards, whether from the EEA or elsewhere in the world, will need to comply with one of the immigration routes provided for in the new rules. 
2. Settled and pre-settled status: Employees who are EEA nationals and who were living in the UK by the end of 2020 can apply for settled or pre-settled status, which gives them the right to carry on living and working in the UK.  Employers should continue to communicate with such employees regularly and offer them support in achieving such status. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2021 for most applicants. 
3. Effect of absences: Employers may need to assist EEA nationals who have lived and worked in the UK before January 2021 to review their periods of absence from the UK.  Absences of more than 6 months in any rolling 12-month period may break any period of continuous UK residency and may therefore impact an individual's ability to obtain settled status. 
4. Secondments: Employers with UK employees on secondment in the EU must keep up to date with any changes in the immigration requirements in each EU country where UK employees are seconded, and communicate those changes to the affected employees. Visas or local registrations may be required.
5. Policy review: Employers should carry out an immigration audit, including drafting, reviewing and amending policies to ensure they are compliant with the new immigration system. In particular, inclusion and diversity policies should be considered, especially in relation to recruitment. Employers should think about whether there are discrimination implications in their approach to recruitment, such as a blanket policy that refuses to consider applications from candidates requiring a visa, or paying a higher salary to an applicant in order to meet the requirements of the sponsorship system.
6. Sponsor licence:  Employers who have not previously held a sponsor licence should consider whether such a licence is now needed. A licence may be required to employ both non-EEA nationals and newly arrived EEA nationals under the new immigration system. Employers who already have a sponsor licence should consider whether it needs to be amended to include the addition of any branches, subsidiaries or a new route.
7. Intra-company transfers: Multinational companies should look at whether they might use the intra-company transfer route to transfer personnel to the UK. Applicants do not need to meet any English language requirements, but must satisfy specified criteria.
8. Business visitors: Employers who have EEA nationals who frequently visit the UK on business trips will need to understand the business visitor requirements for an intended visit from 1 January 2021. The new Frontier Worker permit will allow those who started to commute to work in the UK before 31 December 2020 to continue to do so (provided they meet the eligibility criteria) and the Business Visitor route will still allow limited activities to be carried out by a non-UK resident, including attending board meetings, signing contracts or undertaking a site visit.
9. Relocation consequences: Consider the impact of relocating any business operations to the EU, such as consequential restructuring and redundancy plans, and associated consultation obligations.
10. UK employment laws: Currently the UK government is committed to preserving existing employment rights so there is nothing really for employers to do right now.  However, employers should keep a watchful eye in case the situation changes.
    

Top considerations from 1 January 2021

1. Mergers, antitrust and state aid – Do EU competition laws still apply in the UK?: No. From 1 January 2021, EU law does not apply in the UK. The UK will be treated in the same way as a third country, like the USA, in relation to EU competition law, which means that businesses in the UK still need to comply with the EU merger control rules if they enter into transactions which meet the relevant thresholds, and with the EU antitrust rules in relation to conduct that affects trade within the EU.  EU state aid rules will be replaced by a new UK subsidy control regime, but the EU state aid rules continue to apply in full to the UK in relation to measures that have an actual or potential effect on trade in goods between Northern Ireland and the EU.
2. Mergers and antitrust – No immediate change to UK rules, but possible future divergence: There are no substantive changes to either the UK merger control or antitrust enforcement regimes from 1 January 2021.

   The UK's competition rules set out in chapter 1 and chapter 2 of the Competition Act 1998 (CA98) are currently nearly identical in substance to Articles 101 and 102 of TFEU, but may diverge in the future. In particular, new EU case law is not binding on the UK courts and competition authorities, which may also depart from pre-2021 EU case law where it is considered appropriate to do so in light of relevant circumstances (for example, differences in UK and EU law prior to Brexit, differences between EU and UK markets, developments in the form of economic activity, generally accepted principles of competition analysis, and developments in EU case law).

   Certain reforms to the UK rules may be introduced in due course, including potentially the compulsory notification of certain generally larger mergers to the CMA to ensure that the CMA commences its merger review of such transactions at the same time as other authorities that have jurisdiction. Merging parties should also take note of the UK Government's new National Security and Investment regime.

3. Mergers and antitrust – Validity of Commission decisions: All European Commission decisions adopted before 1 January 2021 remain valid and the European courts retain exclusive jurisdiction to review any appeals challenging such decisions. UK regulators cannot re-review an investigation into a merger or antitrust matter that the Commission has already investigated and in relation to which it took a decision before 1 January 2021.

   The Commission will also continue to have responsibility for the monitoring and enforcement of any UK elements of commitments accepted or remedies imposed in connection with any Commission proceedings, unless it subsequently agrees to transfer those responsibilities to the CMA or the concurrent UK regulators, or they have been quashed by the European Court on appeal.

4. Mergers – Impact of parallel reviews: The EU Merger Regulation "one-stop shop" no longer applies in the UK from 1 January 2021, which will generally result in parallel filings with potentially differing outcomes. Planned transactions which would have triggered an EU filing on 31 December 2020 may now:
   • also trigger the UK filing thresholds; and/or
   • no longer trigger an EU filing, as UK turnover is no longer included in calculating the EU filing thresholds. If this is the case, it will be necessary to consider whether national filings in EU Member States are required.

   Where parallel EU and UK merger reviews take place, the regulators' assessment periods differ significantly and may result in potentially differing outcomes (at Phase 1, 40 working days for the CMA, compared with 25 working days under EU rules; and, at Phase 2, 24 weeks for the CMA, compared with 90 working days under EU rules, all excluding extensions).

   Where a merger has been formally notified to the Commission before 1 January 2021, the Commission retains exclusive jurisdiction over the merger until it reaches a final decision.

   From 1 January 2021, neither the Commission, the CMA nor the merging parties can request/make new referrals under Article 4(4) or 9 of EUMR (i.e. referrals from the Commission to the CMA), or Articles 4(5) or 22 of EUMR (i.e. referrals from the CMA to the Commission).

5. Mergers – What happens to the merger case referral mechanism?: From 1 January 2021, neither the Commission, the CMA nor the merging parties can request/make new referrals under Article 4(4) or 9 of EUMR (i.e. referrals from the Commission to the CMA), or Articles 4(5) or 22 of EUMR (i.e. referrals from the CMA to the Commission).
6. Antitrust – Jurisdiction to start new investigations: From 1 January 2021, the CMA and the concurrent UK regulators may only investigate suspected infringements of UK domestic competition law (i.e. chapter 1 and chapter 2 of CA98). UK regulators must drop the EU elements of any ongoing investigations on 1 January 2021.

   The Commission can no longer commence investigations into cases involving anti-competitive conduct in the UK (but it can continue those cases with effects in the UK initiated prior to 1 January 2021). However, the Commission continues to have the power under EU law to investigate UK businesses that it suspects are engaging in anti-competitive conduct that has effects on competition within the EU, and EU businesses operating in the UK must comply with UK competition law as they do today.

   For new cases, where the same conduct affects competition in both UK and EU markets, parallel investigations by the Commission (under Articles 101/102 TFEU) and UK authorities (under chapters 1 and 2 of CA98) are likely.

   As was the case pre-Brexit, there is no "one-stop shop" for immunity/leniency. Potential applicants should therefore consider making separate applications to both the CMA and the Commission.

7. Antitrust – Can I still rely on existing EU block exemptions in the UK?: From 1 January 2021, seven EU block exemption regulations, including those relating to vertical agreements, research and development, and technology transfers, are preserved in UK law as "retained exemptions" from the UK competition prohibitions, subject to their current expiry dates. Existing UK agreements which have benefited from the parallel application of an EU block exemption continue to benefit from the relevant exemption, as will new agreements which meet the relevant criteria.
8. Antitrust – Damages claims: Commission infringement decisions issued prior to 1 January 2021 can still form the basis of follow-on damages claims, but UK courts will no longer be able to rely on Commission decisions taken after that date as binding findings of an infringement.Stand-alone actions (i.e. actions that do not follow on from an infringement decision) can still be brought in relation to an alleged infringement of EU competition law that occurred prior to 1 January 2021.
9. Mergers and antitrust – Can the Commission conduct dawn raids in the UK?: From 1 January 2021, the Commission can no longer carry out inspections in the UK. However, the Commission is still able to issue formal requests for information to parties in the UK in connection with mergers falling within the EUMR and conduct over which it has jurisdiction in the EU.

   The TCA provides that the EU and UK competition authorities will endeavour to cooperate and coordinate with respect to their enforcement activities going forward and may exchange information to the extent permitted by each party's governing law.

10. State aid – Will subsidies granted by the UK require notification?: The TCA requires the UK to establish a new UK subsidy control regime, which will need to be closely modelled on the EU state aid regime. It is not yet clear how that regime will operate or who will be responsible for overseeing it. In particular, the UK will need to develop new rules governing how the new subsidy control obligations will be implemented and enforced in practice, including in respect of seeking approval for subsidy measures. The UK Government is considering whether to bring forward secondary legislation in early 2021 to give legal certainty regarding compliance with the UK's commitments in relation to the granting of subsidies. The UK Government also intends to launch a consultation on the UK's approach to subsidy control, which may result in further primary legislation.

Top considerations for January 2021 onwards

1. Governing law clauses: The validity and effectiveness of contractual choice of law will be unaffected by Brexit. The UK has implemented both the Rome I and II Regulations (together, the Rome Regulations) with minor modifications into UK law, and EU counterparties will remain subject to the Rome Regulations in any event. 
2. Exclusive jurisdiction clauses: Formerly, the Brussels Regulation applied to ensure that EU/UK courts gave effect to the parties’ choice that disputes were heard exclusively by a specified EU/UK court (known as an "exclusive jurisdiction clause"). That position remains largely unchanged for exclusive jurisdiction clauses entered into after 1 January 2021. This is because, while the Brussels Regulation no longer applies in the UK, the UK acceded to the Hague Convention (to which the EU is already a party on behalf of all its Member States) with effect (indisputably) from 1 January 2021. Insofar as giving effect to an exclusive jurisdiction clause is concerned, the Convention has broadly the same effect as the Brussels Regulation – meaning that the parties’ choice of an exclusive jurisdiction clause after 1 January 2021 will be given effect in generally the same way as it is now. Giving effect to exclusive jurisdiction clauses entered into before this date, however, may be more problematic because of a potential timing issue with the Hague Convention (see further below).
   
   In addition, the Lugano Convention, which applied between the UK, the EU and the EFTA states (excluding Liechtenstein) and which is similar in effect to the Brussels Regulation, has ceased to apply. As none of the EFTA states has yet acceded to the Hague Convention, enforcing exclusive jurisdiction clauses in those states may also be problematic. The UK has applied to re-accede to the Lugano Convention, but the consent of all contracting states is required and the EU has not yet given such consent. 
3. Non-exclusive jurisdiction clauses: In the case of a "non-exclusive jurisdiction clause" (a clause that expressly provides for disputes to be heard in a specified court but without prejudice to the right of the parties to take a dispute to another court), the Brussels Regulation and the Lugano Convention give priority to the Member State court that is first “seised” of the proceedings, ie the court in which the proceedings are first instituted.
   
   However, as the UK is no longer a "Member State", the UK courts will now not benefit from this priority and EU/EFTA courts will not have to stay their proceedings pending the determination of UK courts, as they would now, even where UK courts are first seised. This gives rise to a risk of parallel proceedings – the same or very similar proceedings taking place in two different courts.  Bear in mind also that the Hague Convention does not apply to non-exclusive or "asymmetric" jurisdiction clauses (clauses that require one party to sue in a specified jurisdiction, but allow the other party to sue in any jurisdiction).
4. Enforcement of judgments: The Brussels Regulation and the Lugano Convention also deal with enforcement of judgments and, as these no longer apply, the automatic right to enforce UK judgments throughout the EU/EFTA states and vice versa will be lost. The effect of this is that:
   
   o      It should not be problematic to enforce an EU court judgment to which the Hague Convention applies in the UK, noting however the Convention's relatively narrow ambit. As a matter of UK law, the Hague Convention applies to all qualifying agreements entered into after 1 October 2015, when the Convention entered into force in the EU, and in the UK as a Member State.
   
   o      There is uncertainty, however, as to how EU courts will apply the Hague Convention in relation to UK cases. It may be that the Convention is applied in relation to all qualifying agreements entered into after 1 October 2015, or only to contracts entered into on or after 1 January 2021, when the UK’s accession to the Convention in its own right indisputably becomes effective. If the latter, then jurisdiction clauses in, or judgments given in disputes relating to, agreements entered into before 1 January 2021 will not be enforceable under the Hague Convention in the EU.
   
   o      In cases where the Hague Convention does not apply: (i) in the UK, the common law will apply to the enforcement of EU/EFTA judgments. The process to enforce a judgment is relatively straightforward, but there may be difficulties where the judgment is for non-monetary relief; and (ii) the party seeking to enforce a UK judgment in the EU/EFTA states will have to navigate the relevant local laws in the country in which it wishes to enforce its judgment, in the same way as it now does when seeking to enforce a judgment in a non-EU/EFTA country, such as the US. 
   
   Where possible and practical, consider amending or restating the jurisdiction provisions in your contracts to include/restate exclusive jurisdiction clauses to ensure the contract will fall within the Hague Convention as a matter of both UK and EU law. 
5. Arbitration: Arbitration is largely unaffected by Brexit as it is subject to international rules of arbitration under the New York Convention. As a result, parties may wish to consider using arbitration agreements (rather than court-based dispute resolution mechanisms) in their contracts.
6. Provision for service of legal proceedings: Where the English courts are the forum for disputes, and any counterparty resides outside England and Wales, include an agent or address for service provision for the service of legal proceedings in your contracts, if such provision is not already standard. The EU Service Regulation, which regulates the service of judicial and extrajudicial documents between EU Member States, no longer applies.
7. Change in law: Consideration should be given to whether any changes in the regulatory landscape, from 1 January 2021, might trigger a change in law provision in a contract entered into prior to 1 January 2021.  This will need to be considered on a case by case basis, as it will depend on the express wording of the relevant change in law provision, as well as what Brexit-related legal changes were expected at the time the contract was entered into. Change in law provisions will generally exclude from their operation any changes in law that were expected at the time the contract was entered into.
8. Force majeure and frustration: Similarly, in some situations, the changes applicable from 1 January 2021 may have an adverse impact on parties' ability to perform contracts entered into before 1 January 2021, causing them to seek relief under force majeure or material adverse change clauses, or by having recourse to the English law doctrine of frustration.  While the availability of relief under a force majeure clause will depend on the interpretation of the specific clause in question, in most cases a force majeure clause will not be triggered where the relevant events make the contract more expensive to perform, and the same applies under the doctrine of frustration. For more information see our force majeure guide.  
9. References to EU laws and EU institutions: Many long-term contracts entered into before 1 January 2021 will refer to EU institutions and EU law.  In this context, the Interpretation Act 1978 applied together with the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 will mean that in most cases this will not be problematic, as the references will be construed, where applicable, as referring to UK equivalents from 1 January 2021.  References to concepts such as "the EU" or "Member States" (the scope of which has changed as a result of Brexit) will need to be considered on a case by case basis.  For new contracts being entered into, it is, needless to say, important to ensure that UK domestic legislation and/or UK regulatory/institutions are referred to (as applicable), having regard to the fact that in some cases both UK and EU regulatory regimes may apply in parallel, as noted in point 10 below.
10. Provisions dealing with regulatory compliance: Depending on the subject matter of the contract, consider other provisions of the contract dealing with matters that are the subject of EU legislation, such as data protection, intellectual property, competition law, financial regulation and REMIT (in the context of energy trading) to consider the impact of regulatory divergence and in some cases, parallel regulatory regimes (that is, UK and EU).

Top considerations for January 2021 onwards

1. Consider any tax impact of Brexit-driven restructuring: The impact of Brexit, even as tempered by the TCA, means that supply chains and/or group structures will need to be reconsidered and possibly restructured. The tax impact of any such reshaping of the group and its supply chains will therefore need to be considered.
   
2. Check VAT registrations: Suppliers will need to check where they should be VAT-registered.  While there are numerous caveats and exceptions, as a broad rule: (i) for those providing digital services to both EU27 and  UK consumers, it may be possible to have only two VAT registrations: one under the so-called mini-one-stop shop and one UK VAT registration in the UK; (ii) suppliers of goods to consumers (and other "importers") will have to consider whether they need to separately VAT-register in each of the EU27 countries and the UK where they are selling/importing; and (iii) suppliers of B2B services may only require registration in the countries where they actually have offices.    
   
3. Review loss of the EU Interest and Royalties Directive and the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive: The EU Interest and Royalties Directive and the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive no longer apply from 1 January 2021. The possibility of withholding tax on interest paid from EU entities to UK entities should be reviewed and any new potential gross-up risk evaluated and allocated appropriately. The loss of the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive may impact the tax efficiency of repatriating cash from subsidiaries to parent companies where a UK entity is included in the structure. Companies relying on these Directives should review the domestic law in the relevant EU country and the terms of the applicable double tax treaty with the UK to determine the withholding tax position in respect of interest, royalties and dividends payments, and identify any additional withholding tax costs. Applications to benefit from any treaty relief should be filed on a timely basis.
   
4. Consider VAT recovery for financial and insurance service providers: The UK government has enacted legislation to enable businesses supplying specific services (i.e. certain financial and insurance services) to EU customers to recover their input VAT on costs associated with those supplies. Previously, this was only possible where these services were supplied to customers outside the EU. This change brings the post-Brexit VAT treatment of such supplies to EU customers in line with the ongoing treatment of supplies to customers in the rest of the world, with the stated aim of ensuring that UK companies will be able to compete for business in the EU on an equal footing with companies in other non-EU countries.
   
   This is a significant benefit for financial and insurance service providers with EU customers and such providers should consider how to structure their supplies to maximise their input VAT recovery after 31 December 2021, including undertaking a review of any cross-border VAT grouping arrangements to optimise partial exemption positions.
   
5. Review social security arrangements: The TCA contains provisions which ensure that cross-border workers are only liable to pay social security contributions to one state at a time.  This is generally the country in which the relevant individual is working, although there are specific provisions (the "so-called detached worker" rules) under which, if an EU Member State agrees to apply the rules, UK workers sent to work temporarily in that state remain liable for UK social security contributions for the duration of their posting and vice versa for nationals of that Member State sent to work in the UK.  Local payroll taxes may (subject to any protection under the relevant double tax treaty) also apply. Where employees are working abroad of their own volition (e.g. for COVID-19 reasons), the position may be different and should also be checked.
   
6. Review processes for cross-border sales of goods: From 1 January 2021, all B2B sales of goods between the EU and the UK that were historically treated as zero-rated intra-EU acquisitions will (with only very limited exceptions) become standard-rated imports and exports and liable to import VAT. Businesses which carry out trading between the EU and the UK should clarify incoterms and who is acting as importer of record for customs duty and VAT purposes on all cross-border sales. They should also check supply contracts and consider including, to the extent possible, provisions dealing with documentary requirements for such imports and the allocation of VAT risk.  Businesses will also need to ensure they have processes in place to satisfy all related procedural requirements for such imports.
   
    

Top considerations for January 2021 onwards

1. Review changes to business processes: Have you read the revised UK legislation that affects your business? Does it require you to make changes to your business processes? By when? Does it allow you to do what you expected? If not, reach out to trade associations to see whether the industry takes the same view. Have you spoken to the Government about your concerns? Are you monitoring new EU and UK legislation designed to implement and operate the TCA?
2. Review supply chains: Have you understood your supply chain for goods? What changes will need to be made to (i) deal with new customs and regulatory checks on trade between the EU and the UK and (ii) meet the need for goods to "originate" in either the EU or the UK?
   
3. Consider tariff rates: What will happen to tariffs on finished goods and inputs for manufacturing under the TCA? The TCA only allows for "tariff-free" movement of goods between the EU and UK where those goods “originate” in either the UK or the EU. These "rules of origin" in the TCA are complex and lengthy. Many manufactured goods will currently not meet these rules of origin, and you may have to decide whether to pay the duty, or spend time and money re-tooling supply chains by, for example, setting up separate supply chains that do not require movement between the EU and UK. 
4. Consider additional component costs: Have you checked whether your UK suppliers might import components from the EU or a country with which the UK has an FTA? Are they going to charge you more as a result of the goods failing to meet the TCA "rules of origin"? What happens if they do?
5. Check input costs: If input costs change, for example as a result of failing to meet the rules of origin, who bears those costs? Have you checked any long-term supply agreements for provisions on price changes? Who is responsible for import procedures now that they are relevant?
6. Review import requirements: Have you completed all necessary requirements to import into the UK and the EU? Or are you intending to use a third party, and have you got relevant agreements in place? What about standards and product certification?
7. Consider available customs duty reliefs: Is any reliefs from customs duty available? What steps do you need to undertake to benefit from it? What is the lead time? Is the difference between paying any new tariff and the relief significant? If not, have you considered simply paying the duty and not spending time on the relief?
8. Review shipments and warehousing locations: If you import key components from the EU or a country with which the UK has an FTA, can you move shipments away from a ports that may be crowded, such as Dover, to one that isn't? Have you checked with your logistics provider that it has all the necessary paperwork to operate "hassle-free" imports in accordance with the new rules of the TCA? Should you consider stockpiling certain key inputs? Have you got space to do that? Do you need additional warehousing space? Do you need to consider funding provisions with banks in order to stockpile?
9. Consider provision of customs services: Do you have staff or service providers ready to deal with new customs procedures regarding trade with the EU? Are they trained in new UK customs rules? If you don't have staff, or they are not trained, can you get a third party to provide customs services? Are they available and how much will it cost?
10. Review export controls: Are any of your goods or technologies subject to export controls? If so, you will need to consider how those goods can move between the UK and the EU. Have you applied for UK licences for export to the EU? Have you registered under the EU system to move goods to the UK? Also, remember, licences obtained from the UK do not permit export of controlled items from the EU, and licences obtained in EU Member States do not permit export from the UK.  
    
     

Top considerations for January 2021 onwards

1. Map data flows – How do we know which arrangements include cross-border processing?: You should map your organisation's international flows of data (including transfers between the EEA and the UK) in order to assess what action to take in respect of  transfers of personal data outside the UK. 
   
   The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) recommends that you prioritise mapping data flows for transfers of large volumes of data, special category data, criminal convictions data and any business-critical transfers of data. 
   
   If transferring personal data outside the UK to third countries, you should put in place appropriate safeguards so that such transfers continue lawfully after 1 January 2021 (see point 2 below for transfers from the EEA to the UK).
   
2. EEA to UK transfers of personal data – What safeguards should we now have in place?: 2. After 1 January 2021, the UK is considered a "third country". Under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the UK and the EU have agreed a "bridging" period of four months (with an additional two- month extension available by agreement) from 1 January 2021 permitting the flow of personal data from the EEA to the UK without any additional safeguards. The intention is that before the end of this period the EC will grant the UK adequacy status. 
   
   If your organisation transfers personal data from the EEA to the UK, you should prepare for the possibility that the EC may not grant the UK adequacy by taking steps now to implement appropriate data transfer safeguards before the end of the "bridging" period. 
   
   One of the safeguards available to you under the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) is to enter into the EC's approved Standard Contract Clauses (SCC).  If you choose to implement the SCC to enable transfers of personal data from the EEA to the UK, you should consider whether any necessary further requirements are needed as a result of the recent  decision (see point 3 below).
   
3. Schrems II – Do we need to undertake a transfer risk assessment?:The decision of the European Court of Justice in the Schrems II case requires organisations that transfer personal data to third countries to carry out case-by-case risk assessments of whether the relevant third country's law offers a level of personal data protection that is essentially equivalent to that provided in the EU.  
   
   This requirement does not apply to third countries that are already recognised by the EC as providing adequate data protection. The EC currently recognises Andorra, Argentina, Canada (commercial organisations), Faroe Islands, Guernsey, Israel, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, New Zealand, Switzerland and Uruguay as providing adequate protection. Therefore, unless the EC grants the UK adequacy before the end of the "bridging" period (see point 2 above), you will also need to conduct a risk assessment in respect of any transfers of personal data your organisation makes from EEA Member States to the UK.
   
4. EU-US Privacy Shield – Is the EU-US Privacy Shield still a valid safeguard for data transfers from the UK to the US?: The decision in Schrems II found the US-EU Privacy Shield to be invalid. This means it is no longer a lawful way to transfer personal data from either the EU or the UK to the US. 
   
   This decision will form part of UK law, and therefore you need to consider what other measures, such as the SCC should be put in place to cover transfers from the UK to the US to ensure that such transfers continue to be lawful. The same risk assessment as discussed at point 3 above should also be conducted in respect of these UK-US transfers.
   
5. EU representative – Do we need to appoint an EU representative?: UK-based organisations that do not have an establishment in the EEA, but which either (i) offer goods and/or services to individuals in the EEA, or (ii) monitor the behaviour of individuals in the EEA, will need to appoint a European representative in one of the EU Member States of those individuals. 
   
   This EU representative may be an individual or a company. The representative must be physically based in the EU, and be authorised to act on your organisation's behalf (including dealing with relevant data supervisory authorities) with respect to compliance with EU data protection law.
   
6. Customer documentation – Do we need to update our privacy notices?: You should update your organisation's privacy notices and other data subject-facing documents (such as standard terms and conditions) to provide details of your EU representatives, refer to the UK as a third country and make reference to either UK data protection law or EU data protection law, as appropriate.
   
7. Internal documentation – Do we need to update our policies and procedures?: You should review and update your organisation's internal data protection policies, procedures and records, such as data breach notification procedures and data protection impact assessments, to reflect changes to international transfers and supervisory authority notification requirements.
   
8. Data Protection Officers – Should we change our Data Protection Officer?: If your organisation was required to have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) prior to 1 January 2021, it will continue to be required to have a DPO. If your DPO is based in the UK, you should review whether your DPO can continue to be "easily accessible" to each EU establishment, the relevant supervisory bodies and EU data subjects.  Official guidance recommends that an organisation's DPO should be located in the EU, unless the DPO's activities can be carried out more effectively outside the EU.
   
9. EU supervisory authorities – Will the ICO remain our organisation's lead supervisory authority?: From 1 January 2021, the ICO is no longer an EU supervisory authority. If your organisation currently has the ICO as its lead supervisory authority, you should identify an EU supervisory authority if your organisation continues to maintain an EEA establishment and engage in cross-border processing after 31 December 2020. That EU supervisory authority is likely to be your organisation's lead supervisory authority now that the transition period has ended. 
   
   If a complaint was made before 1 January 2021, and your organisation's lead supervisory authority was the ICO at that time, the ICO will continue to be the authority investigating and bringing any enforcement action in relation to that complaint.  In these circumstances, a supervisory authority in another EU Member State will provide input, but would not be able to bring separate enforcement action.
   
10. Is EU data protection law still applicable in the UK?: The EU data protection legal and regulatory framework will continue to apply after 1 January 2021 for UK organisations that either offer goods or services in the EU or monitor the behavior of EU data subjects. The ICO has confirmed that organisations should continue to follow its current guidance regarding compliance with EU data protection law. 
    
     

Top considerations for January 2021 onwards 

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) reached on Christmas Eve 2020 sets out, across 24 pages, the standards of IP protection to be applied by both the UK and the EU. In essence, the TCA reflects the Withdrawal Agreement. We set out below the key changes affecting IP rights from 1 January 2021.

1. Trade marks – Changes to EU trade marks (EUTMs) from 1 January 2021 
   UK marks: The territorial scope of EUTMs no longer covers the UK. UK businesses with a registered EUTM were automatically granted a comparable and equivalent registered UK trade mark by the UKIPO on 1 January 2021. These marks hold the same filing date, priority date and UK seniority as the EUTM. Comparable UK trade marks have also been created for international trade mark registrations designating the EU, without any action required from proprietors. The UKIPO register has already been updated with the new UK trade mark records and the registration details are available for rightsholders to view. Parties not wishing to obtain the new UK comparable mark may opt out by submitting a "Request for Removal" to the UKIPO.
   EU marks: EUTMs already registered prior to 31 December 2020 continue to be valid in the remaining 27 Member States but, in order to benefit from ongoing protection, owners of EU trade marks should monitor and ensure the EUTMs continues to be used within the EU – use in the UK alone will not suffice.
   
2. Trade marks – EU trade mark applications still pending on 31 December 2020: Applications for EUTMs still pending at the end of the transition period have not automatically resulted in a comparable trade mark application with the UKIPO. However, applicants may still apply for a corresponding UK trade mark during the nine-month grace period commencing on 1 January this year and will end on 30 September 2021. Applying within the grace period enables the applicant to retain the earlier priority date of the EUTM application. Applications made after the end of the grace period will not retain the benefit of the earlier priority.
3. Trade marks – Applying for a trade mark: Applications filed for an EU-wide trade mark only cover the remaining 27 Member States and no longer protect the UK upon registration. New applications should now be filed with the UKIPO for a UK-registered trade mark and the EUIPO for an EU-wide EUTM. Parties should consider the needs and territorial scope of their business, as well as future plans for potential market expansion. 
   
4. Designs – Registered and Unregistered EU Designs: UK-registered designs have been unaffected by Brexit. However, EU Registered Community Designs (RCDs) and EU Unregistered Community Designs (UCDs) no longer give protection in the UK. Similar to trade marks, holders of existing RCDs received a comparable "re-registered design" automatically with the UKIPO on 1 January 2021. "Re-registered International Designs" are also being provided in respect of international design registrations designating the EU that have already been registered and published by the EUIPO. The UKIPO has advised that applicants should expect a delay in re-registered designs based upon international designs appearing on the UKIPO register. 
   Continuing Unregistered Designs: Existing Unregistered Community Design proprietors still protected at the end of 2020 automatically now have continuing protection in the UK via a Continuing Unregistered Design right for the remainder of the three-year term of protection attached to the UCD. The UK has also created a new "Supplementary Unregistered Design" right, from 1 January 2021, which gives similar protection in the UK to that provided by the UCD in the EU.
   
   Applications for RCDs that remained pending at 31 December 2020 have not resulted in equivalent application for a comparable UK-registered design. As per trade marks, holders of pending RCD applications now have a nine-month priority window to 30 September 2021 in which to apply for a comparable UK "re-registered design". 
5. Trade marks and designs representation: The UK Government has now introduced "Address for Service" rules. This means that those issuing new trade mark and/or design applications or proceedings with the UKIPO must provide an address for service that is within the UK, Gibraltar or the Channel Islands. Addresses within the EEA will not be accepted. 
6. Domain names – What is the impact on my .eu domain registrations?: Businesses legally established in a continuing EU Member State, or individuals with an EU residence or citizenship, have a continuing legal basis on which to hold a .eu domain. In the event this is not the case, .eu domains will no longer be registrable by UK-based applicants. UK-based businesses and individuals should have provided contact information to EURid prior to 31 December 2020 showing a continuing legal basis to hold a .en domain.
7. Copyright - Protection of Copyright in the EU: UK copyright law is based on national law and international treaties, which remain in place. The broad position regarding copyright protection therefore remains unchanged. However, the UK Government has noted that it currently has no intention of transposing the recent EU Directives on (i) Copyright in the Digital Single Market; and (ii) Copyright relating to Online Transmission and Retransmission on TV and Radio content, into UK law. In addition to changes to database rights (see below), the satellite broadcasting 'country of origin principle' will no longer apply to the UK, so UK based broadcasters will not be able to rely on obtaining copyright clearance in the Member State from which the signal is produced, and broadcasters serving EU customers may need to clear rights in each receiving country.
   Protection of Database rights in the EU: UK businesses no longer receive protection in the EEA for newly created databases. Databases already protected at 31 December 2020 will continue to have protection for the usual term. The UK now operates its own version of database rights, but this protection will only apply within the UK. If your business also has establishments in the EU, it may look to rely upon them for continued EU database right protection.
8. Patents – Will my patents be affected after 1 January 2021: Patents continue to be protected under the UK Patents Act 1977, and the UK remains part of the European Patent Organisation (EPO) despite exiting the EU, because the EPO is not an EU institution. European Patent Attorneys based in the UK can continue to represent their domestic and overseas clients before the EPO, and the UK remains designated in European patent applications.
9. Exhaustion of IP rights: Once IP-protected goods have been put on the market in the EEA by the IP owner (or by consent of the owner), the owner can no longer prevent those goods from being resold anywhere in the EEA and the IP rights in those goods are effectively "exhausted". The UK is no longer in the EEA and so IP-protected goods placed on the market in the UK will not now exhaust the rights of IP owners in the EEA and their rights will still be enforceable against such goods if they are parallel imports into the EEA from the UK. Businesses may wish to consider obtaining a licence for exports from the UK into the EEA, or conduct cross-border trade from a continuing EEA member country (rather than the UK).
   As things currently stand, the UK continues to recognise EEA exhaustion and allows continued "parallel importation" from the EEA into the UK. The UK government has indicated that this position is likely to change in early 2021. 
10. IP licences and other agreements: IP-related licences, co-existence agreements and similar agreements should reflect the agreed territories of use and account for the fact that an agreement to license use in the EU will no longer include the UK (and vice versa). For example, if a licence grants an EU-wide right to use an IP asset, that right will no longer cover use in the UK.
    

Top considerations for January 2021 onwards 

1. EU ETS – What are your obligations?: A new UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) replaced the UK's participation in the EU ETS on 1 January 2021. The Government intends to release guidance on how to comply with the UK ETS, alongside guidance on the small emitters and hospital opt-out scheme and the ultra-small emitters exemption, early this year.  If your organisation was a participant in the EU ETS before 1 January 2021, then it is likely it will have to comply with the UK ETS. In addition, your organisation will continue to have compliance obligations under the EU ETS in respect of its 2020 emissions. This means verified EU ETS annual emissions reports for the calendar year 2020 must be submitted by 31 March 2021, and the equivalent emissions allowances must be surrendered by 30 April 2021. UK-only participants will have access to their Holding Accounts until 30 April 2021. The UK ETS is not linked to the EU ETS at present; however, under the TCA, the UK and the EU commit to give "serious consideration" to linking the two systems. Therefore further updates are expected in the near future. 
2. Trans-frontier shipment of waste: As of 1 January 2021, new arrangements exist for the movement of waste between the UK and the EU. The UK is a party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, and a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). As such, the UK will be treated in the same way as any other OECD country or any country party to the Basel Convention that intends to export waste to an EU country. This means that UK waste exporters to the EU and EU waste exporters to the UK will now need to follow the EU customs guidelines as well as the EU Waste Shipment Regulation. In particular, if your business exports notifiable waste, it will need to submit waste notifications and prepare waste movement forms with details of the Customs Office of Entry into the EU and the Customs Office of Exit from the EU, as applicable. Northern Ireland will continue to apply the EU Waste Shipment Regulation for the duration of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Basel Convention plastic waste amendments became effective on 1 January 2021, as one of the first examples of amended EU retained law.
3. Environment Bill – environmental standards and governance: The Government's flagship Environment Bill seeks to incorporate into UK law a series of environmental principles which were previously set out in the EU Treaty. These include the integration principle, the prevention principle, the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle. Both the EU and the UK have committed in the TCA to respecting a set of internationally recognised environmental principles, including, in particular, those listed above. In addition, the Environment Bill establishes the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). The OEP will be an environmental watchdog responsible for taking action in relation to breaches of UK environmental law. In large part, the OEP provides a domestic replacement for the scrutiny function of the European Commission and the European Environment Agency. Dame Glenys Stacey will take on the role of Chair of the OEP in February 2021 and is working with the interim environmental governance body that is carrying out limited functions until the OEP is formally established. It is yet to be announced when the Bill will be back in Parliament for further scrutiny, but it is likely that England's latest national lockdown could lead to further delays.
4. Chemicals regulation – UK REACH: The UK REACH regime was brought into UK law on 1 January 2021, replacing the EU regime. This is an independent regulatory framework, but it mirrors many of the key principles of EU REACH. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, the EU REACH regime continues to apply to Northern Ireland. Organisations that supply or purchase chemicals between the EU / EEA / Northern Ireland and Great Britain will need to comply with both the UK and the EU regimes. Organisations should review their roles and obligations under each regime, as they may have changed. For example, if your organisation was importing chemicals into the UK as a "distributor" within EU REACH, it will become an "importer" for the purposes of UK REACH, creating additional compliance obligations. If you manufacture or import chemicals within Great Britain, then your organisation may need to create an account with the new Comply with UK REACH online service in order to meet your registration requirements. The TCA includes a Chemicals Annex (Annex TBT-3). This includes commitments by both the UK and the EU to (i) participate in international organisations (including the OECD and the Sub-Committee of Experts on the GHS); (ii) implement relevant guidelines; and (iii) cooperate with one another, including exchanging information between competent authorities and disseminating chemical safety data. 
5. Biocidal products – GB BPR: As with UK REACH, a new domestic regulatory framework for placing biocidal products on the UK market now applies. The new GB Biocidal Products Regulation reflects the EU framework (the EU Biocidal Products Regulation), but operates independently of it. Many of the functions currently carried out by the European Chemicals Agency will now be carried out in Great Britain by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). For example, the HSE will coordinate the active substance evaluation process for Great Britain and will introduce its own processes and systems for receiving and processing applications, e.g. for active substance approval or product authorisation. 
6. Chemicals – GB CLP / GB PIC / GB PPP: As of 1 January 2021, newly established independent regimes apply for: the chemicals Classification, Labelling and Packaging (GB CLP) regime; the Prior Informed Consent (GB PIC) regime for the export and import of hazardous chemicals; and the Plant Protection Products (GB PPP) regime in relation to the regulation of pesticides. For example, in respect of the GB CLP regime, Great Britain will now make its own decisions about mandatory hazard classification and labelling, and the Great Britain mandatory classification and labelling system (GB MCL) has replaced the EU harmonised classification and labelling system. In relation to GB CLP, the Chemicals Annex in the TCA contains an obligation on the UK and the EU to implement the UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS) "as comprehensively as it considers feasible". GB CLP is therefore expected to remain substantially aligned with the EU CLP regime.  
7. F-Gas / Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS): Most of the existing EU-derived rules for F-gas and ODS remain the same from 1 January 2021, having been transferred into UK law. However, new IT systems are needed to manage new GB quotas and report on the use of F-gas and ODS. For example, producers, importers or exporters of HFCs (the main class of F-gases) or products containing HFCs will need a GB quota to place them on the GB market, or an EU quota to place them on the EU and Northern Ireland markets. 
8. Ecodesign and energy labelling: While UK and EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling requirements remain largely the same as of 1 January 2021, there are some differences in the rules between placing products on the market in England, Scotland and Wales and placing products in Northern Ireland, which may need to be considered.  Further, implementing legislation gives the Secretary of State the power to introduce new standards where there is significant potential for the environmental impact of a product to be reduced without imposing excessive costs. The Government has already consulted on the Draft Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations 2021 and is currently undertaking a further consultation on the regulation of lighting products.  Further updates are therefore expected this year as the Government will review responses and look to introduce legislation. 
9. Product safety / "CE" marking: The new UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) product-marking regime now applies. This new marking will be used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain and covers most goods which previously required the EU's "CE marking". The UKCA marking can be used from 1 January 2021. To allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, it will be possible to use the EU's CE marking until 31 December 2021 in most cases; however the Government encourages the use of UKCA marking as soon as possible. This is particularly relevant to product safety and environmental product laws which currently incorporate conformity assessment testing, such as RoHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substances). In addition, there are new importer responsibilities when placing a product on the market in Great Britain from the EU.  The TCA includes a commitment by the UK and EU to cooperate and exchange information on non-food product safety and compliance, including market surveillance and enforcement activities and measures, coordinated product recalls, and emerging issues relevant to significant health and safety.
10. Water law: While there is no immediate change to Water law from 1 January 2021, the UK's implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) was singled out by James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, as "a candidate for thoughtful reform to deliver even better outcomes". A particular area of debate is the WFD's "one out, all out" rule, under which rivers fail to meet the required status if they fail in any of the four categories in the directive: biological (phytoplankton, macroalgae, fish, etc), physical-chemical (temperature, pH, ammonia, etc), chemical and hydromorphological. The Environment Agency has however faced fierce criticism by environmental groups for presiding over a decline in the water quality of English rivers – data published by Defra and the Environment Agency indicates that in 2019 only 16 per cent of England's waters met the criteria for "good ecological status" and no surface water bodies met the criteria for "good chemical status".  Flood risk management will also remain a key area of focus in respect of the UK's climate change adaptation efforts. 
11. Environmental Impact Assessment – EIA/SEA: While there is no immediate change to the decision-making process for major projects and plans from 1 January 2021, the Government's Planning White Paper sets out commitments to reform the EIA/SEA regimes to create a quicker, simpler framework for assessing environmental impacts. The Government had promised a separate public consultation on the issue in autumn 2020, which has not yet materialised, and which is likely to be published in the coming months. Nonetheless, the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to retaining Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) procedures under the provisions of the TCA.