Northern Ireland: what does the recent news update mean?

1 Feb 2024

FPC is closely following the recently announce deal between the UK government and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to reduce checks and paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern. We will advise members of the adjusted border strategy as soon as detailed information has been made available from the government.

What we know so far:

The changes apply to GB goods which are staying in Northern Ireland and will mean no routine checks on those goods.

What has been in place until now?

The Windsor Framework was formally adopted in March 2023 and regulates trade of goods between Northern Ireland, the EU, and Great Britain. The framework aims to simplify the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland whilst safeguarding the EU single market and the UK single market. It is in place to give Northern Ireland the unique opportunity to be part of the EU single market for goods and simultaneously have access to the UK internal market.