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Application of Union tariff rate quotas and other import quotas to certain products transferred to Northern Ireland

2023/0063(COD)

PURPOSE: to allow certain categories of steel to be transferred from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under EU tariff quotas.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2023/1321 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2020/2170 as regards the application of Union tariff rate quotas and other import quotas to certain steel products transferred to Northern Ireland.

CONTENT: with this Regulation, the Union is continuing to put in place the Windsor framework, which was the subject of a political agreement between the Commission and the United Kingdom Government on 27 February 2023, to address, in a definitive manner, the challenges concerning Northern Ireland following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

The Regulation aims to implement the joint solutions agreed with the United Kingdom in relation to certain steel products. It amends Regulation (EU) 2020/2170 so as to allow that the Union’s tariff rate quotas be available for certain steel products (Non Alloy and Other Alloy Quarto Plates, and Angles, Shapes and Sections of Iron or Non Alloy Steel) originating in the United Kingdom and subject to safeguard measures and that are brought into Northern Ireland by direct transport from other parts of the United Kingdom should also be eligible for treatment pursuant to Union import tariff rate quotas if those goods are released for free circulation in the territory of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland companies will thus no longer need to pay the 25% tariff linked to the EU safeguard measures currently in place for steel imports into the EU, which will make the transfer economically viable for them again. Again, these additional transfers are mirrored by appropriate safeguards.

The Regulation provides for the possibility for the Commission to adapt, by means of a delegated act, the list of steel products subject to safeguard measures for which EU tariff quotas may, if necessary, become available.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 1.7.2023.