We're back and were busy! Welcome to TSBN Winter 2020. Frances Darling is trading standards and licensing manager with Shropshire Council, and its representative on the CEnTSA management board The impact of the end of the EU Exit transition period on top of the COVID-19 crisis will require extraordinary levels of resilience from businesses The last edition of TSBN was published earlier this year, in March, and not once did I consider that we would miss the following two editions because of a worldwide pandemic! To say that COVID-19 has impacted the way in which businesses and regulators operate is a gargantuan understatement. When the spring edition of TSBN was issued, I do not believe any of us fully understood what lay ahead. The unprecedented nature of COVID-19 is aecting every aspect of our working and personal lives significantly, as we continue to implement and manage measures to bring the virus under control. The impact of the end of the EU Exit transition period on top of the COVID-19 crisis will require extraordinary levels of resilience from businesses across the country. Regulators are committed to providing relevant information and support, to address the changes and challenges that will no doubt continue to face businesses as the UK moves into a new era outside the European Union in 2021. This winter edition of TSBN takes a dierent approach from previous editions. Instead of the usual awareness raising around legislative changes, we have focused more on generic topics that will help a wide range of businesses to deal with key issues arising because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is supplemented by the latest advice on changes to product safety and metrology legislation as a result of the UKs exit from the EU, plus practical guidance for refill shops. Our main feature is aimed at short-term business planning, resilience and continuity plans, with supporting information on finance, cybercrime, insurance and redundancies all with links to the impact of the coronavirus crisis. In addition, we are oering guidance on mental health in the workplace. This is an increasing and major challenge as business owners and employees adjust to the new normal, including greater home working, which has accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, there is plenty more, so please read on and feel free to circulate this and future editions of TSBN to other organisations and your colleagues. Until next time, wash your hands, wear your face covering and keep a safe distance from colleagues and friends. Stay safe everyone. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service