{"id":3496,"date":"2026-06-10T11:06:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T11:06:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mccaa.org.mt\/?post_type=trd-sub-page&p=3496"},"modified":"2026-06-10T11:06:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T11:06:37","slug":"legally-binding-effects-of-brexit-as-regards-union-type-approval-legislation","status":"publish","type":"trd-sub-page","link":"https:\/\/mccaa.org.mt\/mt\/trd-sub-page\/legally-binding-effects-of-brexit-as-regards-union-type-approval-legislation\/","title":{"rendered":"Legally binding effects of Brexit as regards Union type-approval legislation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereinafter referred to as \u2018United Kingdom\u2019 or \u2018UK\u2019) had in 2017 notified its intention to withdraw from the European Union (hereinafter referred to as \u2018EU\u2019 or \u2018Union\u2019), triggering a process commonly referred to as Brexit.
Following a series of developments, the UK left the Union on 1 February 2020, and became a \u2018third country\u2019, i.e., a country not member of the EU, subject to the dedicated Withdrawal Agreement [1]<\/a> (hereinafter referred to as \u2018Withdrawal Agreement\u2019) which ensures an orderly departure and legal certainty in important areas.
The Withdrawal Agreement, amongst others, established a time-limited transition period, from 1 February 2020 until 31 December 2020, during which Union law, with certain exceptions not relevant in the context of this communication, remains applicable to and in the UK. Moreover, during this transition period, the UK continues to, amongst others, participate in the EU\u2019s Single Market and Customs Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article 132 of the Withdrawal Agreement foresaw the possibility of an extension to the above-mentioned transition period, if a decision about the matter was adopted before 1 July 2020. However, such extension was not decided and hence the transition period ends on 31 December 2020.
Consequently, and irrespective of any ongoing negotiations between the EU and the UK or any agreement on a future partnership between the EU and the UK, all stakeholders should be aware of and be prepared for the significant changes occurring in any event<\/u> as from 1 January 2021, 00:00h Central European Time (CET).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brexit has its consequences, not only for the EU and national authorities but also for private parties, including importers, distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer\u2019s representatives, and other interested stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important information from the European Commission about changes taking place in any event as of 1 January 2021, 00:00h CET, may be found in document COM\/2020\/324 final:<\/em> Getting ready for changes – Communication on readiness at the end of the transition period between the European Union and the United Kingdom<\/em><\/a> and\/or through the webpage Getting ready for the end of the transition period<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerning \u2018automotive items\u2019 [2]<\/a>, we, the Technical Regulations Division within the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), have updated this communication, which briefly informs about Brexit related updates in Union type-approval legislation, consequences, and legal changes relevant to type-approval aspects.
We urge all stakeholders within the scope of this communication to read the following text and the herein indicated material, and to contact us on info@mccaa.org.mt for clarifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Objectives of this communication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n