What is dual market access in Northern Ireland?

A guide to understanding Northern Ireland's dual market access: Benefits for businesses in the UK and EU post-Brexit

Contents 

1. Why does Northern Ireland have dual market access?

2. Benefits of dual market access for businesses in Northern Ireland

3. Benefits of dual market access for businesses in Ireland
4. Do you need further help or advice?

 

In the context of Northern Ireland, dual market access refers to the unique arrangement under the Windsor Framework (which replaced parts of the earlier Northern Ireland Protocol) that allows businesses in Northern Ireland to sell goods into both:

• The UK Internal Market (England, Scotland, and Wales).
• The European Union Single Market (including Ireland and other EU member states).

This arrangement is designed to manage the complexities of trade arising from Brexit while maintaining Northern Ireland’s economic ties with both the UK and the EU

Why does Northern Ireland have Dual Market Access?

• Brexit Impact: When the UK left the EU, Northern Ireland faced challenges due to its shared land border with Ireland, an EU member state. To avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland (a key part of the Good Friday Agreement peace process), special trade rules were established.
• Northern Ireland Protocol: Under the original protocol, Northern Ireland effectively stayed aligned with certain EU rules on goods, enabling seamless trade with Ireland and the EU while remaining part of the UK’s customs territory.
• Windsor Framework Update: The new framework introduces more streamlined processes and addresses practical challenges while preserving Northern Ireland’s access to both markets.

Benefits of Dual Market Access for businesses in Northern Ireland

1. Access to the EU Single Market

• Businesses in Northern Ireland can export goods freely to the EU without customs checks, tariffs, or regulatory barriers.
• EU rules on goods, such as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, still apply in Northern Ireland to ensure compliance with Single Market regulations.

2. Access to the UK Internal Market

• Businesses in Northern Ireland can sell goods freely within the UK without checks or barriers.

Goods moving between Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland follow specific procedures to manage the regulatory differences.

Benefits of dual market access for businesses in Ireland

The dual market access arrangement in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework provides several benefits for businesses in Ireland by enhancing trade opportunities, fostering economic stability, and maintaining seamless cross-border cooperation.

1. Seamless Cross-Border Trade

• Avoids a hard border: The arrangement ensures no customs checks or regulatory barriers on the land border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. This allows businesses in Ireland to trade goods freely with Northern Ireland, maintaining the pre-Brexit status quo.
• Efficient supply chains: Cross-Border supply chains between businesses in Ireland and Northern Ireland can operate without delays or additional costs, benefiting sectors like agri-food, manufacturing, and retail.

2. Access to the UK market

• Gateway to the UK internal market: Northern Ireland’s access to the UK internal market provides businesses in Ireland with an indirect route to sell goods to Great Britain. For example, goods produced in collaboration with firms in Northern Ireland can be distributed more easily across the UK.
• Enhanced trade relationships: Businesses in Ireland that partner with firms in Northern Ireland gain streamlined access to the UK market, leveraging Northern Ireland’s dual market access advantage.

3. Access to the EU Single Market

• Integrated Supply Chains: Businesses in Northern Ireland are in continued alignment with EU Single Market rules, which means they can serve as reliable suppliers for companies in Ireland, particularly in sectors requiring compliance with EU standards (e.g., pharmaceuticals, food products).
• Avoiding Divergence: Regulatory alignment in Northern Ireland reduces risks of market fragmentation, ensuring consistent standards and simplifying Cross-Border partnerships.

4. Economic Growth and Investment

• Attracting Investment: The dual market access arrangement makes Northern Ireland an attractive destination for investment, which has spillover benefits for Ireland. Businesses in Ireland can benefit from enhanced regional economic activity and increased trade volumes.
• Shared Infrastructure and Resources: Cross-Border infrastructure projects and shared resources, such as ports and logistics hubs, can facilitate economic growth on both sides of the border.

5. Stability and Certainty

• Business Confidence: By preserving the open border and simplifying trade processes, the arrangement reduces uncertainty, which is particularly important for businesses operating in volatile global markets.
• Peace Dividend: Sustaining the Good Friday Agreement’s principles fosters a stable environment for trade and investment, benefiting businesses in both Northern Ireland and Ireland.

6. Opportunities for Collaboration

• Joint Ventures: Businesses in Ireland can establish partnerships with companies in Northern Ireland to leverage dual market access and gain a competitive edge in both the EU and UK markets.
• Innovation and R&D: Cross-Border collaborations in research and development can thrive under the dual market arrangement, particularly in sectors like technology, life sciences, and green energy.

7. Agri-Food Sector Benefits

• Integrated Agricultural Economy: The agri-food sector is highly integrated across the border, with supply chains and livestock often crossing multiple times during production. Dual market access ensures these processes remain seamless, avoiding costly disruptions.

Compliance with EU Standards: Northern Ireland’s alignment with EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules benefits Irish producers reliant on integrated food systems.

 

 

Article revised: January 2025