UK and EU Joint Committee backs steel access and parcel fee clarity for Northern Ireland
The UK and EU held a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee meeting in Brussels on 10 November 2026, with Northern Ireland trading arrangements among the issues covered. The co-chairs were UK Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations Hamish Falconer and European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
Windsor Framework progress
The co-chairs welcomed progress they said brings new benefits for people and businesses in Northern Ireland. They named three areas:
- easier movement of consumer parcels delivered to Northern Ireland
- protected access to steel for Northern Ireland traders under new measures
- simplified operation of duty-related schemes for goods that stay in the UK
They also welcomed an EU-UK declaration on applying Windsor Framework provisions. It clarifies that handling fees for consumer parcels will be treated like customs duties. Such fees would therefore not be paid on goods staying in the UK, and any fees on goods at risk of entering the EU would be collected and kept by UK authorities.
Both sides agreed to speed up delivery of safeguards protecting the EU Single Market in all areas. They said they would strengthen efforts on sanitary and phytosanitary measures so that all agri-foods moved to Northern Ireland follow Windsor Framework rules.
Cyber Resilience Act
On adding the Cyber Resilience Act to the Windsor Framework, the co-chairs agreed to examine all possibilities for keeping the Framework working well. They said they would take the needed decisions in future. No timetable was given.
Decisions and other business
The Joint Committee adopted three decisions, covering social security coordination, artificial intelligence and forced labour. It also adopted its Annual Report for 2025.
On citizens' rights, the co-chairs noted that almost 6 million EU citizens and 1 million UK nationals are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. They stressed the need for a smooth move from temporary to permanent residence during 2027.
The co-chairs also said work on the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus should be finalised by the next Joint Committee meeting. They described the Withdrawal Agreement, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the recent Gibraltar agreement as a foundation for closer relations ahead of the EU-UK Summit on 20 November 2026.
Source: GOV.UK trade deal · Image: Pixabay