The UK and the European Union (EU) have agreed to the mutual recognition of inspections and certifications of medicines as part of a landmark trade deal related to the UK’s Dec. 31 exit from the union.

The agreement includes an annex on medicinal products that provides for mutual recognition of good manufacturing practice inspections and certifications, meaning that manufacturing facilities do not need to undergo separate UK and EU inspections.

The 1,246-page trade agreement also includes mutual commitments on intellectual property, including patents, trademarks and designs, and unregistered rights, such as copyright, trade secrets and unregistered designs.