GovWire

The proposal introduces primary legislation to recognise electronic trade documents on an equal legal footing to physical trade documents. The legislation is permissive and will remove a constraint to allow use of electronic trade documents under UK law. The RPC considers that the direct impact on business is below the de minimis threshold and is fit for purpose. The assessment of impacts could be improved by providing some clarification around the costs of the proposal and further details on monitoring and evaluation.

The RPC considers the EANDCB to be fit for purpose and in line with scenario 1a of the RPCs primary legislation guidance, where the assessment of the direct impacts of business of the whole policy can be verified at this stage. 3 The IA provides a sufficient assessment of direct impacts on businesses arising from the Bill and explains that there is no associated secondary legislation.