UK Government Rejects Stormont Brake on EU Chemical Labelling Rules

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn says legal tests were not met, while pledging to address concerns over regulatory divergence.

The UK Government decided not to activate the Stormont Brake mechanism to halt the application of updated EU rules on chemical packaging and labelling in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn stated the legal threshold for triggering the brake, which requires evidence of significant and lasting impact on daily life in Northern Ireland, was not met.
Unionist parties, including the DUP, criticized the decision, arguing it fails to address trade frictions and risks increased costs for manufacturers and barriers to trade within the UK.
Benn pledged the Government would take steps to prevent regulatory divergence between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including consulting on aligning UK rules with EU standards if necessary.
The Stormont Brake, a mechanism under the Windsor Framework, allows Northern Ireland lawmakers to request UK intervention on EU rule changes, but its use requires meeting strict criteria.