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Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Navigate Northern Ireland's unique regulatory position under the Windsor Framework with CE marking, EU product rules, and access to both Great Britain and EU markets for qualifying NI goods.

1.9M
Population
£63B
GDP (2023)
EU+UK
Market Access

Key Requirements Overview

CE Marking

EU conformity marking required for most products

EU Product Rules

Compliance with EU directives and regulations

UKNI Indication

Used with CE when UK-based body involved

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Northern Ireland Bridge to both Great Britain and EU markets

Northern Ireland forms part of the United Kingdom but, for most manufactured goods, is treated as part of the EU single market for goods under the Windsor Framework. Products placed on the Northern Ireland market generally follow EU product rules and require CE marking.

Market Advantages

Alignment with EU product rules for most goods under the Windsor Framework
Access to the EU single market for goods
Qualifying Northern Ireland goods can be placed on the GB market using CE marking
Strong logistics link to both Ireland/EU and Great Britain

Regulatory Framework

Under the Windsor Framework, products placed on the Northern Ireland market generally require CE marking and must comply with relevant EU directives and regulations.

UKCA marking is not used for placing goods on the Northern Ireland market. Where a UK-based conformity assessment body is used, the UKNI indication is applied alongside the CE mark.

Product Rules in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland continues to follow EU product rules for most manufactured goods. CE marking is required; UKNI is only used when a UK-based conformity assessment body is involved. Qualifying NI goods can generally be placed on the GB market using CE, without additional UKCA marking.

Important: Products with CE+UKNI can be sold in Northern Ireland and, if qualifying, in Great Britain, but cannot be placed on the EEA market.

Quick Facts

Official Language
English
Currency
Pound Sterling (£)
Market Area
Northern Ireland (part of the UK, EU single market for goods)
Regulatory Body
UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and Northern Ireland district councils / competent authorities
Standards Organization
BSI (British Standards Institution) – publishes BS EN versions of EU harmonised standards used in NI

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Our experts help you navigate CE and UKNI marking, EU product rules applying in Northern Ireland, and movements of qualifying NI goods into Great Britain.

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Regulations & Requirements

Key Northern Ireland regulations

Understanding the regulatory landscape under the Windsor Framework

CE & UKNI Marking

CE marking is mandatory for most regulated goods placed on the NI market under applicable EU directives/regulations.

• CE marking: mandatory for most regulated goods
• UKNI indication: used with CE where UK-based body involved
• Product groups: Low Voltage, EMC, Machinery, Radio Equipment, etc.

Product Safety

EU General Product Safety Regulation and specific product safety rules as applied in Northern Ireland.

Covers:
  • • EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
  • • Toy safety (EN 71 series)
  • • Electrical equipment safety
  • • Consumer protection law

Environmental Requirements

EU environmental regulations as applied in Northern Ireland for chemicals, waste electrical equipment, and packaging.

Requirements:
  • • EU RoHS as applied in NI
  • • EU REACH for chemicals
  • • WEEE producer obligations
  • • Packaging & EPR

Medical Devices

CE marking under EU MDR/IVDR for devices placed on the NI market, with MHRA as competent authority.

Requirements:
  • • EU MDR/IVDR compliance
  • • MHRA registration required
  • • EU or UK notified body
  • • CE or CE+UKNI marking

PPE & Construction

EU PPE Regulation and Construction Products Regulation apply in NI under the Windsor Framework.

Applies to:
  • • Personal protective equipment
  • • Construction products
  • • Gas appliances
  • • Pressure equipment

Labelling Requirements

Product labelling requirements following EU rules as applied in Northern Ireland.

Required:
  • • Country of origin (where required)
  • • Manufacturer/authorised rep details
  • • Safety warnings in English
  • • Energy labelling (EU requirements)
Product Categories

Requirements by product category

Key compliance requirements for different product types

Electronics & Electrical

  • CE Marking Required
    Low Voltage, EMC, Radio Equipment under EU rules applying in NI
  • EU RoHS Compliance
    Compliance with EU RoHS as applied in NI
  • WEEE Registration
    WEEE producer registration where applicable in NI

Machinery & Equipment

  • EU Machinery Requirements
    Risk assessment and technical file as per EU Machinery requirements
  • Harmonised EN Standards
    Use harmonised EN standards (e.g. EN ISO 12100)
  • Declaration of Conformity
    EU Declaration of Conformity for products placed on the NI market

Toys & Children's Products

  • EU Toy Safety Requirements
    Toys must comply with EU toy safety rules and EN 71 series
  • Chemical Safety
    Migration limits for heavy metals, phthalates, azo dyes, etc., per EU rules
  • Third-Party Testing
    Third-party testing from competent labs to support CE marking

Medical Devices

  • EU MDR/IVDR Compliance
    CE marking under EU MDR/IVDR for devices placed on the NI market
  • Notified Body
    EU notified body (CE) or UK approved body for CE+UKNI devices
  • MHRA Registration
    Devices for the NI market must be registered with MHRA by the manufacturer or their authorised representative
Compliance Journey

Your Northern Ireland compliance process

Follow these steps to ensure your products meet Northern Ireland requirements

1

Product Classification

Identify applicable EU directives/regulations applying in Northern Ireland based on your product type and intended use.

Typical Timeline:

1-2 days with SANTIQ support for free product assessment

2

Standards Identification

Determine EU harmonised standards (EN) and essential requirements for compliance.

Typical Timeline:

2-3 days with SANTIQ standards gap analysis support

3

Testing & Assessment

Conduct required tests at suitably accredited laboratories (e.g. UKAS, INAB or other recognised accreditation bodies) and compile test reports.

Typical Timeline:

2-6 weeks with SANTIQ testing coordination

4

Technical Documentation

Prepare technical file including design documents, risk assessments, and test reports.

Typical Timeline:

1-2 weeks with SANTIQ document preparation support

Declaration & CE/UKNI Marking

Issue an EU Declaration of Conformity (for products placed on the NI market) and affix the CE mark (and UKNI where a UK-based assessment body is used).

Typical Timeline:

1 day with SANTIQ DoC templates & review

Documentation

Required documentation for Northern Ireland

Essential documents needed for CE marking and compliance

Technical File Contents

Required technical documentation to support CE marking:

  • Product Description
    General description, intended use, variants
  • Design & Manufacturing
    Drawings, schematics, component lists, BOM
  • Risk Assessment
    Hazard identification and mitigation measures
  • Test Reports
    All relevant test results from accredited labs
  • User Instructions
    Manuals and safety warnings in English

EU Declaration of Conformity (Northern Ireland)

Required declaration elements for NI market:

  • Manufacturer Details
    Name, address, EU Authorised Representative (if the manufacturer is based outside the EU/EEA/NI)
  • Product Identification
    Model, serial number, type, batch details
  • Applicable Regulations
    Applicable EU directives/regulations as applied in Northern Ireland (e.g. under the Windsor Framework)
  • Standards Applied
    EN / harmonised standards used to demonstrate conformity
  • Signature & Date
    Authorized signatory details

Document Retention Requirements

Technical documentation must be kept for 10 years after the last product is placed on the Northern Ireland market. Documents must be made available to market surveillance authorities upon request.

Stay Updated

Recent regulatory updates

Latest changes and important announcements affecting Northern Ireland

Framework Effective: 2023

Windsor Framework Implementation

The Windsor Framework clarifies Northern Ireland's unique regulatory position. Products (most manufactured goods) placed on the NI market continue to follow EU product rules with CE marking. Qualifying NI goods can access both NI and GB markets using CE marking.

Learn more about the Windsor Framework
Market Access Updated: 2023

CE Marking Recognition in Great Britain for Qualifying NI Goods

CE-marked qualifying Northern Ireland goods can be placed on the Great Britain market without requiring UKCA marking. This provides businesses operating in Northern Ireland with streamlined access to both UK and EU markets.

Understanding qualifying NI goods
Producer Responsibility Effective: 2024-2025

Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging

Producers must report 2024 packaging data. Waste management fees will be invoiced from October 2025 based on that data. Northern Ireland producers fall in scope where they meet UK-wide EPR thresholds.

EPR compliance guidance

Stay Updated on Northern Ireland Regulations

Get monthly updates on regulatory changes, compliance deadlines, and industry insights.

Ready to Enter the Northern Ireland Market?

Our experts help you navigate CE and UKNI marking, EU product rules applying in Northern Ireland, and movements of qualifying NI goods into Great Britain. Use Northern Ireland as a bridge into both Great Britain and EU markets for qualifying NI goods.

  • Free initial compliance assessment
  • CE and UKNI marking guidance and support
  • Ongoing regulatory monitoring
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