The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is backing a joint statement from its Chambers in Europe for the UK to be part of the EU’s emerging ‘Made in Europe’ framework. 

The statement warns that treating the UK as a conventional third country would ignore decades of co-operation and the deeply integrated supply chains between the UK and EU. 

It has been signed by 13 British Chambers in Europe which represent thousands of businesses in their countries. The letter argues that a restrictive approach on Made in Europe could raise costs, create new administrative burdens and weaken investment certainty. 

Sectors that could be badly hit include automotives, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy and advanced manufacturing. 

The UK Government is also concerned about the new EU industrial rules causing collateral damage to British firms and their European customers.  

Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has already raised UK concerns directly with the President of the European Commission, while the BCC has consistently called for a durable solution which protects integrated supply chains. 

The joint statement makes three key asks of EU policymakers: 
  • Recognise the United Kingdom as a trusted partner within the ‘Made in Europe’ framework, reflecting integrated supply chains, comparable standards and the commitments in the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. 
  • Allow UK-origin industrial content to count towards relevant European value-chain, industrial-policy and procurement requirements, where appropriate. 
  • Provide certainty through a clear and predictable trusted-partner framework, rather than relying on fragmented product-by-product or sector-by-sector assessments. 

The statement is directed to key decision-makers in the European Commission, European Parliament, Council of the European Union and Member State Permanent Representations. It also calls for industrial policy and economic security co-operation to form part of the next EU–UK Leaders’ Summit. 

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

“The BCC is proud to support this strong, united call from British Chambers across Europe. It reflects what businesses on both sides of the Channel have been telling us: modern supply chains do not stop neatly at political borders. 

“The UK is not a conventional third country. Our automotive, aerospace, chemicals, pharmaceutical and advanced manufacturing industries are woven into European production, underpinned by comparable standards and strong level-playing-field commitments. 

“UK Ministers are right to make that case in Brussels, and this statement gives added weight from businesses operating across the continent. 

“The best answer is a clear trusted-partner framework which recognises UK content, gives firms certainty and avoids a bureaucratic product-by-product approach. That would support European competitiveness and resilience, rather than weakening supply chains the EU wants to strengthen. 

“We support stronger European industrial capacity, but it should be ‘Made with Europe’, working with trusted partners such as the UK. A formal economic security agreement between the UK and EU would provide the durable foundation businesses need.” 

The BCC has previously warned that poorly designed ‘Made in Europe’ rules could squeeze British firms out of established supply chains, increase costs and bureaucracy, and disrupt EU manufacturers relying on UK components. While there are exemptions for UK goods in elements of the Industrial Accelerator Act, there are still risks around automotive assembly requirements and other measures that may extend localisation criteria.