I think this is just yet another example of one one particular group can do things in order to cause issues and then have their sycophants try to blame Brexit. It gets very tedious, and no, I'm not reading through 4 pages of useless squabbling. Either the PO should stamp/print this number on, I feel sure some default could be used, or folk need to be aware that the EU are trying to close up shop with the rest of the world and we should all leave them to it.
One should not need to point out that whilst an independent nation can choose to reduce it's red tape, it is also the case that awkward trouble making countries or groups are able to increase the red tape on their side up to the heavens and beyond. It doesn't take a degree in rocket science to work out which side one should be taking responsibility if they do.