Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Minutes of Proceedings - 1 October 2026
Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee - Minutes of Proceedings - 1 October 2026.pdf (146.19 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Ciara Ferguson MLA (Chairperson)
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Cathal Boylan MLA
Peter Martin MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Padraig Delargy MLA
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Steve Aiken MLA
Apologies:
In Attendance:
Chris Dickison, Senior Assistant Clerk
Jessica Jacques, Senior Assistant Clerk
Carla Campbell, Clerical Supervisor
Lisa Chestnutt, Clerical Supervisor
Damien Brown, Clerical Officer
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Oliver Bellew, Assistant Clerk
The meeting commenced at 10.03am in closed session.
1. Apologies
None.
2. Declaration of Interests
None.
3. Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 - Legal Advice
Simon Kelly, Legal Adviser, Assembly Legal Services, joined the meeting at 10.05am.
The Committee considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following published replacement EU act:
Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.
Jonathan Buckley joined the meeting at 10.06am.
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.
A question and answer session followed.
The Committee noted that further consideration of the published replacement EU act would take place in public session.
4. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2026.
5. Matters Arising
The committee considered written answers from the Department for the Economy on COM/2026/565 Proposal for a Regulation as regards simplification and better use of digital options for energy and tyre labelling.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the written answers.
6. Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 - Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee continued its consideration of Regulation (EU) 2026/2108 establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.
The Committee considered an assessment of impact from the Department for the Economy, and Explanatory Memorandum from the UK Government on the published replacement EU act.
The following official joined the meeting at 10.22am:
- Mark McGregor - Head of Trade and Windsor Framework Branch, Department for the Economy
The official gave oral evidence on the published replacement EU act.
A question and answer session followed.
The officials agreed to provide information on a range of issues raised during the oral evidence session.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The official left the meeting at 10.42am.
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 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.
The Committee considered a draft inquiry timetable.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the inquiry timetable.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to convey its thanks to the official for his oral evidence.
The Committee noted that, in line with agreed procedures, a Citizen Space survey would launch to seek views on the impact of the replacement EU act. The survey will be promoted widely and will be open to anyone to respond.
The Committee considered a list of key representatives of businesses and civil society, identified by RaISe, who are affected by the EU act, or who would be affected if the act enters into force.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the identified key representatives of businesses and civil society to seek their views on the impact of the replacement EU act.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the UK Government to ask for further information on the impact of the replacement EU act, and to ascertain the position in England, Scotland and Wales.
7. 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
The Committee noted an update from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on the provisionally agreed text of 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.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the update.
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.
9. Correspondence
9.1 The Committee noted a RaISe Status Update 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/2023/194 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.
9.2 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding an invitation to an event to mark Baby Loss Week.
9.3 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the UK Government to the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee regarding Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/908 of 27 April 2026 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/630 as regards the private attestation requirements of the composite products exempted from official controls at border control posts, and the inclusion of certain cereal products, prepared or preserved vegetables, fruits, nuts, sauces, condiments, seasonings and confectionery in the list of exempted composite products.
10. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson reminded Members that the Committee would meet informally with Intertrade UK later that day.
11. Any Other Business
None.
12. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 15 October 2026 at 10.00am in Room 30.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.49am.
Ciara Ferguson MLA
Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
15 October 2026
