BREXIT Customer Statement
Date: 1st September 2020
Brexit Continuity Planning
As a global polymer solutions provider, ensuring continuity and stability through the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union is of significant importance to the REHAU Group and our customers.
In light of the continued uncertainty surrounding what a Brexit deal will look like between the UK the EU, we are doing all we can to mitigate any potential risks which may arise.
Following the EU referendum in 2016, we established a Brexit cross-functional working group and we are carefully and continually monitoring Brexit to ensure that our UK business is safeguarded through the withdrawal and subsequent transition period. A key priority of the working group is to minimise the impact of any regulatory changes that could affect our ability to serve the UK market.
The UK government has been consulting on new measures to protect internal trade within the UK when powers return from the EU in January 2021. It is anticipated that these measures will protect the UK’s economy by preventing new burdens on cross-UK business and provide certainty to support coronavirus recovery. A four week consultation opened on 16 July and closed on 13 August 2020.
Authorised Economic Operator(AEO-C)
In November 2019 we became an HMRC recognised ‘Authorised Economic Operator’ (AEO-C). This scheme, adopted by several countries across the Globe, is a World Customs Organization initiative towards Standards to secure and facilitate Global Trade. The benefits include simplified customs procedures, local clearance procedures under Customs Freight Simplified Procedures (CFSP) and the National Export System (NES).
Raw materials
Our purchasing teams are overseeing the continuity of raw materials. Where possible we will purchase from within the UK and if appropriate we will use alternative sources to maintain our supplies.
Stock holding
In addition, we have asked our supply chain team to examine our stock holding and to ensure we hold reasonable stock across our core product lines to help mitigate the possible disruption caused by a Brexit deal or a no-deal scenario.
Leadership
Through active leadership from the senior teams at both our UK and German Head Quarters, we can assure our customers that we will continue to be reliable partners in supporting access to REHAU products.
Questions
If you have any questions, require further clarification or wish to discuss potential implications of Brexit, please contact your REHAU Area Sales Manager.