Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Minutes of Proceedings - 23 July 2026
Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee - Minutes of Proceedings - 23 July 2026.pdf (154.5 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Ciara Ferguson MLA (Chairperson)
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Steve Aiken MLA
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Pádraig Delargy MLA
Peter Martin MLA
Kate Nicholl MLA
Apologies:
Cathal Boylan MLA
Eóin Tennyson MLA
In Attendance:
Chris Dickison, Senior Assistant Clerk
Jessica Jacques, Senior Assistant Clerk
Oliver Bellew, Assistant Clerk
Carla Campbell, Clerical Supervisor
Lisa Chestnutt, Clerical Supervisor
Damien Brown, Clerical Officer
The meeting commenced at 10.09am in closed session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of Interests
Steve Aiken MLA declared an interest under Agenda item 11.
3. Regulation (EU) 2026/1703 amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 as regards the prohibition on the export of mixed municipal waste destined for recovery – Legal Advice
Julie Byers, Legal Adviser, Assembly Legal Services, joined the meeting at 10.11am.
The Committee considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following published replacement EU act:
Regulation (EU) 2026/1703 amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 as regards the prohibition on the export of mixed municipal waste destined for recovery.
The Legal Adviser provided advice on whether it appears likely that the published replacement act differs significantly (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU act it is amending/replacing.
The Committee noted that further consideration of the published replacement EU act would take place in public session.
The Legal Adviser left the meeting at 10.16am.
The Committee moved into public session at 10.16am.
4. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2026.
5. Matters Arising
None.
6. Regulation (EU) 2026/1703 amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 as regards the prohibition on the export of mixed municipal waste destined for recovery – Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee continued its consideration of Regulation (EU) 2026/1703 amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 as regards the prohibition on the export of mixed municipal waste destined for recovery.
The Committee considered an assessment of impact from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and correspondence from the Cabinet Office on the published replacement EU act.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.18am:
- Shane Doris - Director, Environmental Resources Policy Division, DAERA
- Keith Carlisle- Policy Lead - Regulation 2024/1157, DAERA
The officials gave oral evidence on the published replacement EU act.
Kate Nicholl MLA joined the meeting at 10.23am.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The officials left the meeting at 10.24am.
The Committee noted that, in order to meet its statutory requirements, it must decide whether or not to hold an inquiry into the published replacement EU act.
The Committee had regard to:
(i) the legal advice on whether it appears likely that the replacement act significantly differs (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU instrument which it amends or replaces, and
(ii) the departmental assessment on whether it appears likely that the replacement act would have a significant impact specific to everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland in a way that is liable to persist.
Agreed: The Committee agreed not to hold an inquiry into the published replacement EU act, pursuant to paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
The Committee noted that its decision will be published.
Kate Nicholl MLA left the meeting at 10.25am.
7. Committee Travel
The Senior Assistant Clerk briefed the Committee on the proposed visit to Brussels. The Committee discussed potential options for the timing of the visit.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to proceed with its proposed visit to Brussels in October 2026.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the secretariat should explore options for a potential visit to Westminster.
8. Committee Work Planning
The Committee noted an update on all the proposed EU acts which it is monitoring and gathering evidence on, and on others which had been notified.
The Committee noted that the UK Government (UKG) has withdrawn its notification of COM/2025/1021 Proposal for a Directive amending Council Directive 98/58/EC and Directive 2009/128/EC as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements, and repealing Council Directives 82/711/EEC and 85/572/EEC.
9. Correspondence
9.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Executive Office in relation to current proposed EU legislation relevant to Northern Ireland.
9.2 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/503 Proposal for a Directive amending Directives 2000/14/EC, 2011/65/EU, 2013/53/EU, 2014/29/EU, 2014/30/EU, 2014/31/EU, 2014/32/EU, 2014/33/EU, 2014/34/EU, 2014/35/EU, 2014/53/EU, 2014/68/EU and 2014/90/EU as regards digitalisation and common specifications.
9.3 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/504 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) No 765/2008, (EU) 2016/424, (EU) 2016/425, (EU) 2016/426, (EU) 2023/1230, (EU) 2023/1542 and (EU) 2024/1781 as regards digitalisation and common specifications.
9.4 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/531 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009 and (EU) 2019/1009 as regards simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products.
9.5 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee (NISC) to UKG regarding Commission Directive (EU) 2026/192 amending Appendix A of Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, as regards cobalt.
9.6 The Committee considered a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding Directive (EU) 2024/1438 amending Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey, 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption, 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption, and 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Committee for Health, and to suggest to the NISC that it copies that Committee into any further correspondence on the matter.
9.7 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding COM/2023/414 Proposal for a Regulation on the production and marketing of plant reproductive material in the Union, amending Regulations (EU) 2016/2031, 2017/625 and 2018/848, and repealing Council Directives 66/401/EEC, 66/402/EEC, 68/193/EEC, 2002/53/EC, 2002/54/EC, 2002/55/EC, 2002/56/EC, 2002/57/EC, 2008/72/EC and 2008/90/EC (Regulation on plant reproductive material).
9.8 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1188 amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 as regards the environmental performance and emission requirements for vehicles produced in unlimited series and for special purpose vehicles, the automated valet parking for vehicles produced in unlimited series, the electric safety and advanced driver distraction warning requirements for vehicles produced in small series and special purpose vehicles and updating the list of alternative UN Regulations in Part II of that Annex; and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/699 amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858 as regards the standardised access to vehicle on-board diagnostics information and repair and maintenance information, and the requirements and procedures for secure access to on-board diagnostic information.
9.9 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding COM/2026/100 Proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework of measures for the acceleration of industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors and amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1724, (EU) 2024/1735 and (EU) 2024/3110.
9.10 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding COM/2026/100 Proposal for a Regulation establishing a framework of measures for the acceleration of industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors and amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1724, (EU) 2024/1735 and (EU) 2024/3110.
9.11 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding COM/2025/1030 Proposal for a Regulation as regards the simplification of food and feed safety requirements Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements.
10. Chairperson’s Business
None.
11. Any Other Business
Steve Aiken MLA declared an interest in relation to a recent meeting with the UK Government, including HMRC.
Steve Aiken MLA raised issues relating to the Digital Markets Act; the UK Government's removal of VAT on domestic electricity bills; steel trade measures; and taxes on parcels.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department for the Economy regarding the UK Government's removal of VAT on domestic electricity bills, and its view that, under the terms of the Windsor Framework, agreement from the EU would be necessary to implement the policy in Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed to copy the Committee for the Economy into the correspondence.
12. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 6 August 2026 at 10.00am in Room 30.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.42am.
Ciara Ferguson MLA
Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
