Brexit: How will it affect industrial packaging?

Originally planned for 29 March 2019, Great Britain’s exit has now been postponed twice – the new deadline for an agreement between the Brits and the EU member states has been extended to 31 October. None of the parties involved wants a chaotic Brexit, which would have dramatic economic consequences. An example from the field of industrial goods gives us a good idea of a future without a Brexit deal.

Around 85 percent of all goods worldwide are transported in Wood Packaging Materials (WPM). If Great Britain leaves the European Union without a deal, it would be classified as a third country – and this would bring significant changes with regard to the circulation of wooden pallets and packaging. 

After Brexit, packaging materials made of wood with a thickness of more than six millimetres that are used between the European Union and the United Kingdom need to comply with the FAO International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures for regulating Wood Packaging Materials in international trade.

Accordingly, wooden pallets for the industry would have to be subjected to heat treatment. This is the only way to ensure that goods can be transported between the European Union and Great Britain without disruptions.