Windsor Framework Phase 3: Products that need individual product labels from 1 July 2025

From 1 July 2025, additional food and retail goods must be individually labelled.

1. Some plant-based products are subject to official controls, meaning they need individual labels.

Some fruits are deregulated in accordance with plant health legislation and do not need individual labelling. Some fruits and vegetables that are processed do not need individual labelling. Read the list of exemptions on this page to check which fruit products do not need individual labels: Commodity codes for the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) - GOV.UK

2. All pre-packed and sealed fruit and vegetables

Such as:

• packed fruit such as apples, oranges, blueberries
• green beans, beansprouts and other packaged vegetables
• herbs, including those in bags

3. High risk food of non-animal origin (HRFNAO), where it is controlled under Regulation 2019/1793

The goods in scope of Regulation 2019/197 are updated on a regular basis. Check the legislation for an up-to-date list.

4. Some cut flowers

Cut flowers where they are listed in Part A of Annex XI and Annex XII to the phytosanitary conditions Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, such as:

• cut conifer, pine and fir trees
• cut Christmas trees
• orchids
• roses
• chrysanthemum

Packaging clarification

Box labels

Where products are not individually labelled with the words ‘Not for EU’, you must label the box or crate.

It is recognised that businesses move products in different ways. This requirement should therefore be implemented in the most pragmatic way possible. For example:

• labelling shrink wrap that is not removed until products are unloaded at stores where appropriate, for example because products are not stored in boxes or crates
• labelling the cage if products are not stored in boxes, crates or shrink wrap
• you do not need to label the tray that protects products or prevents leakage if the box is labelled
• during transportation a cage can function as a box if it is a fully enclosed container until it arrives in Northern Ireland. This means that cages must be securely wrapped with tape with the words ‘Not for EU’ to function as ‘boxes’

The government will ​continue to ​engage with retailers on the practical methods that can be used to meet this requirement.

If your products are either sold loose or by weight or are assembled in a food service setting and then sold loose, you do not need to individually label any of these products. However, you will still need to label them at the box level with 'Not for EU' and provide shelf labelling in your stores in order to move these products via NIRMS.

For further information, please refer to the guidance: Labelling requirements for certain products moving from Great Britain to retail premises in Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme - GOV.UK.