The Windsor Framework (UK Internal Market and Unfettered Access) Regulations 2024

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 and the Definition of Qualifying Northern Ireland Goods (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

Regulation 2 inserts four new sections into the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020.

New section 45A describes how provisions of the Act provide for unfettered access for qualifying Northern Ireland goods to the rest of the internal market of the United Kingdom.

New section 45B describes the position in relation to export procedures for goods moving from Northern Ireland to other parts of the United Kingdom’s internal market as set out in the Unilateral Declaration by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee on export procedures for goods moving from Northern Ireland to other parts of the United Kingdom, dated 24 March 2023.

New section 45C describes how provisions of the Act make provision for the purpose of facilitating trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

New section 46A provides that the Secretary of State may issue guidance to assist appropriate authorities in the exercise of the duty in section 46(1) of the Act.

Regulation 2 also replaces the meaning of an “NI-GB” check, control or administrative process set out in section 47(8) of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 and inserts a definition of “Windsor Framework” into section 58 of that Act.

Regulation 3 makes a number of amendments to the Definition of Qualifying Northern Ireland Goods (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which established the definition of “qualifying Northern Ireland goods” under section 8C(6) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. An explanatory memorandum has been published alongside this instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.