Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Minutes of Proceedings - 4 June 2026
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Ciara Ferguson MLA (Chairperson)
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Steve Aiken MLA
Peter Martin MLA
Eóin Tennyson MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Padraig Delargy MLA
Kate Nicholl MLA
Apologies:
Cathal Boylan MLA
In Attendance:
Marie Austin, Clerk
Chris Dickison, Senior Assistant Clerk
Jessica Jacques, Senior Assistant Clerk
Oliver Bellew, Assistant Clerk
Sean McCann, Assistant Clerk
Carla Campbell, Clerical Supervisor
The meeting commenced at 10:03am in closed session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of Interests
None.
3. Regulation (EU) 2026/1165 amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods – Legal Advice
Julie Byers, Legal Adviser, Assembly Legal Services, joined the meeting at 10.04am.
The Committee considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following published replacement EU act:
Regulation (EU) 2026/1165 amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods.
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.
David Brooks MLA joined the meeting at 10.04am.
Steve Aiken MLA joined the meeting at 10.06am.
A question and answer session followed.
The Legal Adviser remained in the meeting for agenda item 4.
4. 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 – Legal Advice
The Committee considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following proposed replacement EU act:
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.
The Legal Adviser provided advice on whether it appears likely that the proposed replacement EU act differs significantly (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU act it is amending/replacing.
A question and answer session followed.
The Committee moved into public session at 10.17am.
5. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2026.
6. Matters Arising
6.1 The Committee considered a response from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) regarding the provisionally agreed text of COM/2024/577 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 as regards the strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask DAERA to take further steps (including liaising with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the UK Government (UKG) as necessary) to obtain the information originally requested and to also seek the views of any relevant stakeholders. The Committee agreed to request that this information is included in DAERA's assessment of impact on the published EU act.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to DAERA to express its disappointment at the lack of information contained in its response and to highlight the progress made by other departments in responding to requests for information from the Committee.
6.2 The Committee noted a response from the Department of Health on COM/2023/192 Proposal for a Directive on the Union code relating to medicinal products for human use, and repealing Directive 2001/83/EC and Directive 2009/35/EC; and COM/2023/193 Proposal for a Regulation laying down Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and establishing rules governing the European Medicines Agency, amending Regulation (EC) No 1394/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 and Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006.
6.3 The Committee considered correspondence from DAERA following its oral evidence session on COM/2025/1030 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.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask DAERA to provide a timely briefing on the outcome of its meeting with the stakeholder CropLife.
6.4 The Committee noted correspondence from the FSA following its oral evidence session on COM/2025/1030 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.
7. Regulation (EU) 2026/1165 amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods - Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee continued its consideration of Regulation (EU) 2026/1165 amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods.
The Committee considered an assessment of impact from the Department for the Economy (DfE) and correspondence from the Cabinet Office on the published replacement EU act.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.30am:
- Alan Ramsey, Director of Trade, Innovation and Priority Sectors Division, Department for the Economy
- Mr Warren Bell, Trade - Windsor Framework, Department for the Economy
The officials gave oral evidence on the published replacement EU act.
Eóin Tennyson MLA joined the meeting at 10.32am.
A question and answer session followed.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
Warren Bell left the meeting at 10.43am. Alan Ramsey remained for agenda item 8.
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:
- 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
- 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.
8. 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 – Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee continued its consideration of 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.
The Committee considered an assessment of impact from DfE, and an Explanatory Memorandum from UKG on the proposed replacement EU act.
The following official gave oral evidence on the proposed replacement EU act:
- Alan Ramsey, Director of Trade, Innovation and Priority Sectors Division, Department for the Economy.
A question and answer session followed.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The official left the meeting at 11.04am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to monitor the progress of the proposed replacement EU act, pursuant to paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to UKG to ask about the impact if UK content is not considered equivalent to “Union origin”, and UK bidders do in fact require a derogation from the "Union origin" and low-carbon requirements in the proposed EU act.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that the Department provides a revised assessment of impact if any changes are proposed by the Council of the European Union or the European Parliament, which 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 to request that RaISe monitors the progress of the proposed replacement EU act and provides a status update on the proposed act quarterly, or more often as appropriate.
9. Committee Notifications: July and August 2026
The Chairperson proposed that notifications from Cabinet Office of any relevant EU acts that have been proposed by the European Commission, and any relevant replacement EU acts that have been published by the European Union, are paused on 9 July 2026 and 27 August 2026.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that notifications be paused on 9 July 2026 and 27 August 2026.
Members noted that Cabinet Office would be advised accordingly.
The Chairperson asked Members to inform the Committee Office of their leave arrangements during recess and if they wish to nominate substitute members.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to delegate authority to the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson during periods of recess to submit views on the releasing or withholding of information in any non-routine or contentious Freedom of Information requests received by the Committee.
10. Committee Work Planning
The Committee considered an update on all the proposed EU acts which it is monitoring and gathering evidence on, and on others which had been notified.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to re-issue its request to DAERA regarding the provisionally agreed text of COM/2023/451 Proposal for a Regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on management of end-of-life vehicles, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/858 and 2019/1020 and repealing Directives 2000/53/EC and 2005/64/EC, once there is clarity on the proposal's application under Article 13(3) of the Windsor Framework.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write formally to DAERA to ask for an update on its request regarding the provisionally agreed text of COM/2023/415 Proposal for a Regulation on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material, amending Regulations (EU) 2016/2031 and 2017/625 and repealing Council Directive 1999/105/EC (Regulation on forest reproductive material).
Agreed: The Committee agreed to schedule legal advice and oral evidence sessions on 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, once there is clarity on the proposal's application under Article 13(3) of the Windsor Framework.
11. Correspondence
11.1 The Committee noted a response from the Ulster Farmers' Union regarding COM/2025/780 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries.
11.2 The Committee noted a response from UKG regarding COM/2023/769 Proposal for a Regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability.
11.3 The Committee noted a response from UKG regarding Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.
11.4 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2023/769 Proposal for a Regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability.
11.5 The Committee noted a previous update from RaISe on COM/2023/769 Proposal for a Regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability.
11.6 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/553 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as regards the school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme (‘EU school scheme’), sectoral interventions, the creation of a protein sector, requirements for hemp, the possibility for marketing standards for cheese, protein crops and meat, application of additional import duties, rules on the availability of supplies in time of emergencies and severe crisis and securities.
11.7 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/386 Proposal for a Regulation on the European Chemicals Agency and amending Regulations (EC) No 1907/2006, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) No 649/2012 and (EU) 2019/1021.
11.8 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/1020 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods.
11.9 The Committee noted a previous update from RaISe on COM/2025/1020 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods.
11.10 The Committee noted a previous update from RaISe on COM/2025/1020 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods.
11.11 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.
11.12 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2023/770 Proposal for a Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.
11.13 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2023/411 Proposal for a Regulation on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed, and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
11.14 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2024/577 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 as regards the strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain.
11.15 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2023/192 Proposal for a Directive on the Union code relating to medicinal products for human use, and repealing Directive 2001/83/EC and Directive 2009/35/EC; and COM/2023/193 Proposal for a Regulation laying down Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and establishing rules governing the European Medicines Agency, amending Regulation (EC) No 1394/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 and Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006.
11.16 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/1023 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2017/746 as regards simplifying and reducing the burden of the rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/123 as regards the support of the European Medicines Agency for the expert panels on medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 as regards the list of Union harmonisation legislation referred to in its Annex I.
11.17 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/780 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries.
11.18 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding the application of Business Rates to public Electric Vehicle charging points in Northern Ireland.
11.19 The Committee noted a report from the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels covering the period January to March 2026.
11.20 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee (NISC) regarding Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.
11.21 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding the Draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026.
11.22 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding the Draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026.
11.23 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC 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.
11.24 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding the Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel’s Report for the UK Internal Market Guarantee.
11.25 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding COM/2025/780 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries.
11.26 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding COM/2025/836 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) 2024/1689 and (EU) 2018/1139 as regards the simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Digital Omnibus on AI).
12. Chairperson's Business
12.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Chairpersons' Liaison Group providing updated guidance on witnesses appearing before Assembly Committees, and the role of Committee Chairpersons.
12.2 The Committee noted a report on its visit to Westminster.
12.3 The Committee noted a report on its visit to Brussels.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Committee Office should prepare options for a further visit to Brussels in Autumn 2026.
13. Any Other Business
None.
14. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 18 June 2026 at 10.00am in Room 30.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.13am.
David Brooks MLA
Deputy Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
9 July 2026
