The Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor
Framework met in Brussels today, co-chaired by officials from the
European Commission and the UK Government.
The co-chairs took stock of the implementation of the Windsor
Framework since the last meeting on 3 December 2025. They
reaffirmed the importance of continued work to deliver the full,
timely, and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework.
They welcomed the further progress made in the Windsor
Framework's implementation across various areas and noted the
remaining work to be undertaken to deliver in full the safeguards
underpinning the flexibilities for the movement of goods between
Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area, they noted the
satisfactory functioning of the SPS inspection facilities and
individual labelling requirements, as well as the positive
direction in the provision of information in the general SPS
certificates. Progress should however continue on the remaining
pending issues, including full compliance of certificates,
box-level labelling, and ensuring that flexibilities are applied
for compliant goods only. They also took note of the robust
ongoing preparatory work for the interplay between the Windsor
Framework SPS provisions and the future EU-UK SPS Agreement,
which is undertaken to fulfil the commitment from the Common
Understanding(1) from the EU-UK Summit of 19 May 2025.
The co-chairs also took stock of the ongoing work in the area of
customs. They welcomed the finalisation of the work to grant
Union representatives access to all relevant UK IT systems. They
noted the ongoing discussions at technical level on customs
duties of business to consumer parcels. They stressed that
further work to ensure that the Windsor Framework arrangements in
the customs and trade area are implemented properly should also
continue.
They welcomed the technical flexibilities in the functioning of
the Duty Reimbursement Scheme for the benefit of Northern Ireland
operators whilst maintaining the necessary protection of the
Union Single Market.
The co-chairs took stock of the work of the Joint Consultative
Working Group and its structured sub-groups, noting its good
functioning and the usefulness of the exchange of information.
They reiterated the importance of the joint engagement with
Northern Ireland stakeholders, which should continue, thus
supporting the advancement of the Windsor Framework
implementation.
The co-chairs also noted the conclusion of their work relating to
the exchange of views on the implications of the Artificial
Intelligence and Cyber Resilience Acts for the proper functioning
of the Windsor Framework, in line with Article 13(4) of the
Windsor Framework, following on from the delegation of that
responsibility by the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee. They
would report to the Joint Committee co-chairs on their work with
a view to advancing the process foreseen under Article 13(4) of
the Framework at the next Joint Committee meeting.
(1): Paragraphs 2 and 25 of the Common
Understanding.
