On 9 July 2020, the Commission published a Communication that aims at preparing public administrations, businesses, and citizens to the inevitable changes in the wake of Brexit, which will occur after the end of the current transition period on 1 January 2021. The Communication provides advice on what all stakeholders must consider and know if the transition period ends, irrespective of whether an agreement on a future EU-UK partnership has been concluded or not. The Communication “Getting ready for changes” (COM(2020) 324 final) sets out a sector-by-sector overview of the main areas in which there will be unavoidable changes caused by the UK's decision to leave the EU and to end the transition period by the end of 2020. The measures proposed by the Commission are to complement actions taken at the national level. The Commission calls to mind that on 1 January 2021, the UK will no longer benefit from the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union, Union policies and programmes, and international agreements to which the Union is a party. There will be no room for adaptations by national public administrations, businesses, and citizens after that date, and the changes must be prepared in any event. The Communication sets out advice in the following areas:

• Trade in goods, including customs formalities, checks and controls; customs and taxation rules for the import and export of goods; certificates and authorisations of products;
• Trade in financial, transport, and audiovisual services;
• Recognition of professional qualifications;
• Energy;
• Travelling and tourism, including checks on persons, driving licences, and passenger rights;
• Mobility and social security coordination;
• Company law and civil law;
• Data, digital, and intellectual property rights.

In parallel to the Communication, the Commission is reviewing all 102 stakeholder notices published during the phase of withdrawal negotiations. Most of them continue to be relevant for the end of the transition period. More than the half of readiness notices have been updated (cf. annexed list to the Communication). They are available on the Commission’s dedicated webpage.