Life science firms encouraged to act now over EU trade with government videos

New on-demand videos are available for life sciences businesses in a drive to encourage them to act now and follow the new rules agreed as part of the UK’s trade agreement with the EU. 

The videos, being rolled out by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), are designed to help businesses take advantage of the deal.  

Business sectors, including life sciences will find videos on 14 priority topics including: 

• Importing and Exporting 
• Placing and selling goods on the market  
• Trade agreements  
• Operating Online 
• Data 
• Tariffs 

Those life sciences businesses yet to take action are being urged not to delay any longer. 

Medicines manufacturer and supplier boss Dr Nik Kotecha OBE is urging businesses to act now to be ready for new trading rules between the UK and EU that came into force 31 December.   

The founder and chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, says his firm took action early to prepare for the end of the Transition Period on  31 December, and he’s now calling on others to act as soon as possible.    

Dr Kotecha said: “There are some very simple actions all UK businesses can do, like making sure you have an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number, which is very important for imports and exports.   

“We would really recommend that all businesses look at the gov.uk website, there is so much information there, which is really helpful for understanding the new rules and the actions that businesses need to take.    

“A priority for Morningside was to follow closely and act upon all advice from the government, particularly the guidance on the www.gov.uk/transition website. As a result, we planned for the new trading environment, completing a number of important actions, including identifying changes for manufactured goods, such as new approval requirements.”    

Some of the steps he has taken also include:   

• Ensuring the company is ready for the new rules on importing and exporting goods between the EU and the UK   
• Checking and ensuring the correct regulations are applied to the licensing of its products, batch testing and logistics    
• Supporting all EU national employees in applying for settlement status    
• Applying for full Authorised Economic Operator (AEO F) Status.  

Business minister Paul Scully has set out a checklist of key actions all business may need to take relating to exporting goods, professional qualifications, hiring staff, business travel, intellectual property, and accounting and reporting. 

Businesses that registered for previous webinars will receive an email encouraging them to visit the new updated website.  

Firms can also get support from GOV.UK/transition.