Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Minutes of proceedings 24 September 2026
Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee - Minutes of Proceedings - 24 September 2026.pdf (174.26 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Ciara Ferguson MLA (Chairperson)
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Peter Martin MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Steve Aiken MLA
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Padraig Delargy MLA
Eóin Tennyson MLA
Apologies:
Cathal Boylan MLA
Kate Nicholl MLA
In Attendance:
Marie Austin, Clerk
Chris Dickison, Senior Assistant Clerk
Jessica Jacques, Senior Assistant Clerk
Carla Campbell, Clerical Supervisor
Lisa Chestnutt, Clerical Supervisor
Kate Anderson, Clerical Officer
Damien Brown, Clerical Officer
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Oliver Bellew, Assistant Clerk
The meeting commenced at 10:05 in closed session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of Interests
None.
3. Committee Procedures
The Committee noted that a Statutory Instrument, the Withdrawal Agreement (Windsor Framework and Governance) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, has been laid in Parliament to bring forward the commitments made by the UK Government in response to the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework.
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the implications of the Statutory Instrument for the Committee's processes and procedures. Members welcomed the greater flexibility for the Committee in conducting its scrutiny work.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that when the new provisions come into force, decisions on whether to conduct an inquiry would continue to be made within five working days wherever possible, and the extended ten working day period would be used only in exceptional circumstances
Agreed: The Committee agreed to advise the Executive Office, Assembly Legal Services and RaISe that when the new provisions come into force, the deadlines for submissions will remain unchanged.
4. COM/2026/565 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and Regulation (EU) 2020/740 as regards simplification and better use of digital options for energy and tyre labelling - Legal Advice
Jonathan McMillen, Head of Legal Services, and Holly Groves, Apprentice Solicitor, Assembly Legal Services, joined the meeting at 10.11am.
The Committee considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following proposed replacement EU act:
COM/2026/565 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and Regulation (EU) 2020/740 as regards simplification and better use of digital options for energy and tyre labelling.
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.
Eoin Tennyson joined the meeting at 10.21am.
A question and answer session followed.
The Committee noted that further consideration of the proposed replacement EU act would take place in public session.
The Legal Advisers left the meeting at 10.24am.
The Committee moved into public session at 10.24am.
5. Agreed Minutes
The Committee noted the minutes of the meeting held on 27 August 2026, which it previously agreed would be approved by the Chairperson.
6. Matters Arising
None.
7. COM/2026/565 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and Regulation (EU) 2020/740 as regards simplification and better use of digital options for energy and tyre labelling - Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee continued its consideration of COM/2026/565 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and Regulation (EU) 2020/740 as regards simplification and better use of digital options for energy and tyre labelling.
The Committee considered assessments of impact from the Department for the Economy and the Department for Infrastructure, and an Explanatory Memorandum from the UK Government on the proposed replacement EU act.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.26am:
Mark McGregor Head of Trade and Windsor Framework Branch, Department for the Economy
Roy Kennedy Head of Vehicle Policy Branch, Department for Infrastructure
Connor Murray DP Vehicle Policy Branch, Department for Infrastructure
The officials gave oral evidence on the proposed 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 officials left the meeting at 10.51am.
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 request that the Departments provide revised assessments 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.
8. 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
The Committee noted updates from the Department for the Economy and the Department of Justice on the provisionally agreed text of 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.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the updates.
9. Windsor Framework Legislative Triage and Inter-Institutional Coordination Group
The Clerk briefed the Committee on the Windsor Framework Legislative Triage and Inter-Institutional Coordination Group and its operating arrangements.
The Committee noted the establishment of the Group and its operating arrangements.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask the Cabinet Office to consider providing a periodic formal update on the work of the Group.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to inform the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee about the establishment of the Group.
10. End of Session Report
The Committee considered a draft End of Session Report which provided a summary of its key activities, outputs and outcomes for the period September 2025 to the end of August 2026.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Remit, Powers and Membership section, paragraphs 1 to 9.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the report’s introductory paragraphs and Committee Meetings section, paragraphs 10 to 13.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the introductory paragraphs of the Key Activities, Outputs and Achievements section, paragraphs 14 to 15.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Inquiries section (within Key Activities, Outputs and Achievements), paragraphs 16 to 21.
Agreed: The Committee agreed the Key Engagements section (within Key Activities, Outputs and Achievements), paragraphs 22 to 25.
Agreed: The Committee agreed Annex A – Committee Expenditure.
Agreed: The Committee agreed Annex B – Inquiries carried out during the reporting period.
The Committee noted that the End of Session report, as agreed by the Committee, will be published on the Committee webpage in due course.
11. Committee Notifications - October 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 1 October 2026 and 22 October 2026.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that notifications be paused on 1 October 2026 and 22 October 2026.
Members noted that Cabinet Office would be advised accordingly.
12. 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.
A Member advised that the Committee for Finance is considering a Legislative Consent Memorandum in relation to digitalisation.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the proposed replacement EU act, 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards digitalisation and common specifications, to the Committee for Finance.
13. Correspondence
13.1 The Committee considered written answers from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their products, and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish the written answers on the Committee webpage.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward a copy of the written answers to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
13.2 The Committee considered correspondence from the Campo de Gibraltar Press Association (APCG) requesting a meeting with the Committee during its International Seminar in Belfast.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that Members would liaise directly with the APCG regarding any engagement with the International Seminar, and advise the APCG accordingly.
13.3 The Committee considered a response from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs regarding 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 share the response with the UK Government, noting the reference to elements of the proposal where the Department and Croplife believe insufficient evidence is available, and to ask the UK Government to consider this as part of any engagement with the EU on this proposal, as well as in any further engagement with DAERA and stakeholders in relation to it.
13.4 The Committee noted a RaISe Status Update 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.
13.5 The Committee noted a RaISe Status Update 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.
13.6 The Committee noted a RaISe Status Update 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.
13.7 The Committee noted a RaISe Status update on COM/2023/258 Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.
13.8 The Committee noted RaISe Status update on COM/2023/258 Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.
13.9 The Committee noted a RaISe Status Update on COM/2023/258 Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.
13.10 The Committee noted a RaISe Status update on COM/2025/993 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 561/2006, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2019/2144 and (EU) 2024/1257 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the simplification of technical requirements and testing procedures for motor vehicles and repealing Council Directive 70/157/EEC and Regulation No 540/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
13.11 The Committee considered a copy of correspondence from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to the Agricultural Industries Confederation Ltd regarding Regulation (EU) 2026/1739 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 publish the correspondence on the Committee webpage.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
13.12 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee (NISC) to the UK Government (UKG) regarding COM/2025/652 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 as regards certain obligations of operators and traders.
13.13 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.
13.14 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.
13.15 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding 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.
13.16 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding 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.
13.17 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1188 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, Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/361 amending Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 as regards the emissions type-approval of heavy-duty vehicles with on-board fuel and energy consumption monitoring devices and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/699 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.
13.18 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/909 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.
13.19 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council, 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) and COM/2023/415 Proposal for a Regulation on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material, amending Regulations (EU) 2016/2031 and 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 1999/105/EC (Regulation on forest reproductive material).
13.20 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council, 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) and COM/2023/415 Proposal for a Regulation on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material, amending Regulations (EU) 2016/2031 and 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 1999/105/EC (Regulation on forest reproductive material).
13.21 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1073 amending and correcting Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/361 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council as regards rules for the use of certain veterinary medicinal products for the purpose of prevention and control of certain listed diseases and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/322 amending and correcting Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council as regards rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases.
13.22 The Committee noted 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.
13.23 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to the NISC regarding Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents and surfactants, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004.
13.24 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their products, and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
13.25 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to UKG regarding Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1022 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 as regards definitions, customs declarations and data elements related to the temporary EUR 3 customs duty on distance sales of imported goods in a consignment with an intrinsic value not exceeding EUR 150.
13.26 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.
14. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson reminded Members of the Committee's informal meeting with Intertrade UK, scheduled for Thursday 1 October 2026.
15. Any Other Business
None.
16. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 1 October 2026 at 10.00am in Room 30.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.17am.
Ciara Ferguson MLA
Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
1 October 2026
