Guidance

List of CEPA provisions relevant to SMEs

Published 30 November 2020

The CEPA contains provisions relevant to SMEs throughout the agreement. For the full text of CEPA and other key documents to help you understand the agreement, see the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) collection page.

Preamble

The UK and Japan recognised the importance of considering the needs of SMEs when strengthening economic, trade and investment relationships between the UK and Japan.

Custom matters and trade facilitation

Chapter 4, Article 4.6

The UK and Japan committed to simplifying requirements and formalities for customs procedures to reduce the time and costs for traders or operators, including SMEs.

Electronic commerce

Open government data (Chapter 8, Section F, Article 8.82)

The UK and Japan agreed to cooperate to identify ways to expand access to and use of public government information to benefit businesses, especially SMEs.

Cooperation (Chapter 8, Section F, Article 8.83)

The UK and Japan agreed to cooperate and share information related to challenges for SMEs in the use of electronic commerce.

Intellectual property

Chapter 14, Section D, Article 14.60

The UK and Japan agreed to cooperate and share information related to intellectual property issues relevant to SMEs.

Transparency

Chapter 17, Article 17.2

The UK and Japan committed to providing for a transparent regulatory environment, that is effective and predictable for businesses, especially SMEs.

Good regulatory practices

Chapter 18, Article 18.8

The UK and Japan committed to take into consideration the impact on SMEs when carrying out impact assessments of major regulatory changes.

Small and medium sized enterprises

Objective (Chapter 20, Article 20.1)

The UK and Japan recognised the importance to enhance cooperation on matters related to SMEs.

Co-operation (Chapter 20, Article 20.2)

The UK and Japan committed to cooperate on identifying ways to assist SMEs to take advantage of the opportunities under the CEPA.

Information sharing (Chapter 20, Article 20.3)

The UK and Japan committed to provide certain information relevant to SMEs.

SME contact point (Chapter 20, Article 20.4)

Designated official SME Contact Points will work together to ensure the CEPA benefits SMEs.