The introduction of ‘not for EU’ labels is beginning to appear on UK supermarkets in Northern Ireland.
- These labels, seen at Asda, are part of the Windsor Framework post-Brexit trade agreement.
- The new labelling rules are expected to commence officially in October 2023.
- Some businesses are concerned about the compliance costs and preparation time.
- The government might not strictly enforce these rules initially to ease the transition.
The introduction of ‘not for EU’ labels on food products at supermarkets in Northern Ireland, such as Asda, marks a significant change in trade practices under the Windsor Framework. This post-Brexit trade agreement between Great Britain and Northern Ireland aims to simplify the movement of goods, including food, between the two regions. Currently, these labels have already appeared on own-brand meat products at Asda.
According to the Windsor Framework, these labels are designed to ensure that food products from Great Britain moving to Northern Ireland comply with public health and safety standards without facing routine checks. However, these provisions are only applicable to food products in the internal UK market, where it is unlikely that routine checks will occur for GB products moving to Northern Ireland.
The new labelling requirements are viewed as necessary to prevent goods marked ‘not for EU’ from entering the EU single market. This has sparked concerns among businesses about potential additional costs, as relabelling might become an expensive requirement for supermarkets. Moreover, some businesses worry that they have not been given adequate time to adjust to these changes, potentially leading to non-compliance with the updated regulations.
In response to these concerns, the government has indicated a degree of leniency during the initial enforcement phase of the labelling requirements. A spokesperson revealed that while the new labelling should be in place for certain goods starting October 2023, the government is collaborating with businesses to aid their adjustment to these labels and will provide additional guidance when necessary.
The soft introduction of ‘not for EU’ labels signifies a major shift in UK-NI trade practices, amidst mixed responses and regulatory adjustments.
