The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EUWA) provides for some EU sanctions law to form part of domestic law after the UK has left the EU. However, EUWA does not provide powers to substantially amend that retained EU law nor powers to lift sanctions or impose new sanctions, nor does EUWA retain the effect of certain sanctions (travel bans) which are in force by virtue of EU Council Decisions (rather than under EU Regulations). The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA) provides the UK with the legal framework necessary to allow the UK to implement sanctions autonomously. This procedural instrument is the first of a series of instruments to be laid under SAMLA.
Also see EU Exit SI tracker