Mar 27th, 2025
3 mins
In February, Defra issued updated guidance on labelling requirements for certain products moving from Great Britain to retail premises in Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS).
Under NIRMS, some food products require individual product labels with the words ‘Not for EU’. These requirements are being introduced in 3 phases from October 2023 to July 2025. This includes products imported into Great Britain from the EU and products from the rest of the world that can move under NIRMS.
Only products moving into Northern Ireland under NIRMS need to meet the labelling requirements.
Phase 3 commences from 1st July 2025, and requires that additional food and retail goods must be individually labelled. This includes
- all fresh, frozen and processed fish,
- all chilled or frozen composite products and some chilled plant products that require certification or controls at a border control post (BCP)
- All pre-packed and sealed fruit and vegetables
- All shelf-stable composite products, unless they are listed in the ‘Exemptions’ section
- Other Product of Animal Origin (POAO)
- Some cut flowers
The guidance also lists products that are exempt from labelling requirements as well as a list of their commodity codes.
How to register and seal consignments under NIRMS has also been updated.
The updated guidance and link to the commodity code exemption list can be found here
