The DUP has moved to trigger a new post-Brexit Stormont mechanism for the first time to prevent a European Union law coming into force in Northern Ireland.
The party initiated the process to pull the so-called “Stormont Brake” oversight element of the United Kingdom and EU’s Windsor Framework over an updated EU regulation related to the labelling of chemicals.
The brake is a mechanism that allows a minimum of 30 Stormont MLAs, from at least two parties, to refer a proposed law change to the British government. That government then assesses the proposed change on Northern Ireland and can ultimately veto its application in the region.
The process is a potentially lengthy one and, if the government believes the brake has been appropriately pulled, will involve direct engagement with the EU to find a solution.
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The DUP is unable to pull the brake on its own, so required other members to sign the petition it lodged with Speaker Edwin Poots.
It is understood the petition has already secured the required 30 signatures, with Ulster Unionist Party MLAs among those adding their support.
The framework, and its predecessor the NI Protocol, require checks and customs paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.
Under the arrangements, which were designed to ensure no hardening of the Irish land border post-Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules.
This has proved highly controversial, with unionists arguing the system threatens Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom.
Advocates of the framework within the Assembly argue it serves to protect Northern Ireland from negative economic consequences of Brexit.
Explaining the move, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said industry representatives had warned that an updated EU law (Regulation 2024/2865) affecting the labelling of chemicals would create additional trade friction for the flow of products between Great Britain and Northern Ireland if it is implemented in the region.
“The DUP is focused on fully restoring Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom and its internal market,” he said.
“We have made no secret of the fact that we will use the Stormont Brake to full effect in the pursuit of our overall objectives.
“This EU regulation introduces a host of new requirements for labels attached to chemical products, including new minimum font sizes and rules around spacing.
“This would make current labels unusable for the majority of products. Critically, these changes would not be required for products on the market in Great Britain.
“With trade flows in chemicals between Great Britain and Northern Ireland worth in the region of £1 billion [€1.2 billion] annually, the impact of this divergence would be significant.”
Mr Robinson said industry experts have warned that the regulation could have a “prolonged impact on everyday life in Northern Ireland”.
“Those who ignore such warnings do so at their peril,” he added. “Applying this law under the Windsor Framework would represent a further fracture in the UK internal market, driving up costs for manufacturers and creating a chill factor for GB-based companies currently supplying the NI market.
“Therefore, regardless of their political outlook, I would encourage all members of the Assembly who recognise the harm this poses to sign the petition we have tabled with the Speaker.
“Laws made without our input, which we cannot change, and which pose a grave threat to trade flows within the UK, ought not to be foisted on communities in Northern Ireland in the absence of cross-community consent. It is right that we take a stand on this issue.” — PA
