On 9 March 2026, the UK government published the first list of laws where it expects Great Britain to align with the EU, as part of the agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls. This agreement should help reduce the costs and administrative burden of import and export controls between the UK and EU, which will no doubt be welcome news to those who trade or wish to trade in the EU market.
The areas where alignment is expected has broad scope, including general food law, food information to consumers, hygiene rules, food additives, food contact materials, and biocidal products. Whilst there is already substantial alignment between Great Britain and the EU in these areas, some divergence has occurred since Brexit.
Negotiations are anticipated to be finalised later this year with the new requirements likely coming into effect by mid-2027. However, hauliers are being encouraged to start considering the impact of these changes now, reviewing their operations and planning any necessary steps to ensure continued compliance once alignment takes effect.
While this development eases pressure on EU importers, it has left several UK ports in a state of uncertainty. Facilities in key locations like Dover, Portsmouth, and others were built specifically to manage comprehensive border control post (BCP) operations.
According to the Government, these changes will deliver practical benefits for businesses and consumers:
• Businesses will save money. Those trading with the EU, both exporters and importers large and small, will benefit from less money spent on complex paperwork at the border. Export Health Certificates, which can cost up to £200 per consignment, will no longer be required. Routine border checks by Port Health Authorities that currently apply to dairy, fish, eggs and red meat imports will be removed, reducing fees, costs associated with queuing and lowering the risk of spoilage.
• Trade will flow faster. Fresh produce will reach supermarket shelves more quickly. Supply chains will become more resilient, strengthening food security here and in Europe. And for the first time since Brexit, goods will move freely between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• New markets will be unlocked. Trade in products such as fresh sausages and burgers, certain types of shellfish and seed potatoes will resume, opening up the EU market for these goods and supporting British businesses to expand their production. Consumers on both sides of the Channel will have greater access to the high-quality products they value.
For hauliers engaged in EU and UK trade, this should result in:
• fewer (or the removal of) physical SPS inspections.
• smoother movement and so less delays and risk of spoilage
• fewer SPS declarations, simplifying the handling of agrifood consignments
The agreement is not a customs agreement, and so customs controls will remain.