The UK Government has agreed the terms of the Windsor Framework with the European Commission. If Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agree with the measures, trading with NI will become easier and restrictions enforced by Brexit’s Northern Ireland Protocol will be rewritten

The Windsor Framework is an international arrangement between the UK and the EU which is designed to remove any sense of border in the Irish sea and introduce a ‘Stormont Brake’ on EU trading laws. The measures are set to make trading with Northern Ireland easier, ease paperwork and remove some VAT costs.

Importantly, the framework overturns specific measures in the Northern Ireland Protocol. This legislation was part of the Brexit negotiations which means that Northern Ireland stays inside the EU’s single market for goods.

What is the Windsor Framework?

The Prime Minister’s Office breaks down the Windsor Framework into three points. The legislation:

• Fundamentally rewrites the Treaty with a new ‘Stormont Brake’ which means the UK can veto new EU goods laws if they are not supported by both communities in Northern Ireland
• Creates a new green lane which removes any sense of a border in the Irish Sea
• Means Northern Ireland can benefit from the same VAT, food and drink and medicines as the rest of the UK

The introduction of green lanes is the most vital point for UK beauty brands trading between the UK and Northern Ireland. It means British goods which are staying in Northern Ireland will use the green lane at Northern Ireland ports, meaning they face minimal paperwork and no routine physical checks.

Goods will only be checked if it’s thought they are part of smuggling or crime. 

Trade destined for Ireland and the EU will continue to face existing checks as they pass through a ‘red lane’ through Northern Ireland ports.

This legislation could have a huge impact on the fulfilment of online shopping orders. Now, brands who fulfil orders for NI from UK warehouses will be able to transport goods without a customs declaration.

What is the ‘Stormont Brake’?

To address concerns from people in Northern Ireland about being subject to changes in EU goods law, a ‘Stormont brake’ has been established under the Windsor Agreement to give elected representatives in NI the power to stop any goods law changes from applying in Northern Ireland.

It’s hoped that this will establish a clear process for which the democratically elected assembly can pull an emergency brake for changes to EU goods rules that would have significant and lasting effects on everyday lives. If the brake is pulled, the UK government will have a veto.

This rewriting of the NI Protocol is the first move by the Prime Minister’s Office towards the opening up of some Brexit barriers which have been detrimental to UK beauty trade. 

When will the Windsor Framework become law?

This depends on when the DUP agrees to the measures. Upon the announcement, spokespeople said it would take time to come to a “collective decision”.

The unionist party has been urged by other Stormont representatives to get back in government following the announcement of the Windsor Framework. The party is currently boycotting their devolved responsibilities until concerns about post-Brexit trading arrangements are fixed.

Find out more about the Windsor Framework here.