Navigating GPSR and Shipping Challenges to Northern Ireland: Wax Shop Wax
I have some important news to share with you regarding our shipping, particularly for deliveries to Northern Ireland.
This rule also applies to all other countries other than England, Scotland and Wales.
I've been getting lots of EU countries visiting my website but unfortunately I'm unable to ship my products outside England, Scotland and Wales.
Please continue reading to understand why this is the case.
I understand that this may come as disappointing news, but I want to ensure transparency and clarity about the changes I’m making and why they're necessary.
I've been aware of the Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) regulation for some time. However, it was only recently that I realised this rule also necessitates compliance from us makers, when distributing products to Northern Ireland, not just countries in the EU, NI left the EU, thats why its so surprising.
Understanding UFI
You might be wondering, what exactly is a UFI? Imagine you have a favourite wax melt scent called " Lemon Sunshine"
Now, let's say the manufacturer of Lemon Sunshine assigns a UFI to this product.
The UFI might look something like this: "A1B2-C3D4-E5F6-G7H8."
This sequence of letters and numbers is unique to Lemon Sunshine and distinguishes it from other products and it must be on the CLP.
(See example)
If, for any reason, there's a safety concern or regulatory enquiry related to this product, authorities can use the UFI to trace it back to its manufacturer, ensuring accountability and transparency in the supply chain.
In essence, UFIs play a vital role in product safety and regulatory compliance, providing peace of mind to consumers and regulators alike.
They enable seamless communication and collaboration across borders, ensuring that products meet stringent safety standards wherever they're sold.
UFI Regulations in Northern Ireland
United Kingdom, Scotland and Wales are exempt from UFI regulations. However, Northern Ireland doesn't share this exemption.
You might be scratching your head wondering, why Northern Ireland? As its part of the UK and frankly, it's a valid question.
The truth is, Northern Ireland's unique status as both part of the UK and sharing a border with the EU adds layers of complexity.
To honour EU regulations and adhere to the Northern Ireland Protocol, UFIs are mandated for products shipped into Northern Ireland.
Government Decisions and Political Agreements
Is this solely a government decision? While government regulations undoubtedly play a pivotal role, the situation is multifaceted.
The need for UFIs in Northern Ireland and EU countries is intricately tied to political agreements, trade dynamics, and regulatory alignment post-Brexit.
As a result, small businesses find themselves grappling with the fallout and attempting to navigate a landscape fraught with complexity and uncertainty.
Challenges for Small Businesses
To add to the complexity, being based in the UK presents additional challenges.
In order to submit UFI dossiers to the Poison Centre Notification Portal (PCNP), we would need a PO Box in Northern Ireland and EU countries.
However, this seemingly simple solution comes with a hefty price tag—a cost that many small businesses simply can't afford.
As a small business owner, Daya's Essence isn't just a venture—it's my daughter's future nest egg. Over the years, I've poured my heart and soul into building this business, and I refuse to jeopardise everything by cutting corners or breaking the rules.
You see, complying and creating UFIs and creating dossiers isn't as simple as it may seem. It's a highly complex process that requires not only skill but also an in-depth understanding of regulatory standards. It's like needing a science degree just to navigate the systems!
Even for the most advanced individuals, it can prove to be a very difficult task, it's not like creating a CLP which is simple.
And let's not forget about the PO Box aspect—an additional layer of complexity that adds to the challenge.
Not only is it logistically cumbersome, but it's also prohibitively costly. For small businesses like mine, this expense can be overwhelming and may not be feasible without significant financial strain.
Potential Changes and Future Outlook
As a slight aside, I want to mention that I'm aware of potential changes to the NI Protocol/Windsor Agreement being considered by the NI government.
While the specifics remain uncertain, these changes could hold promise for the future of shipping to Northern Ireland, hopefully making Northern Ireland exempt from UFI.
Rest assured, if and when developments occur, I'll be sure to keep you informed through our Facebook Business page.
Temporary Suspension of Shipping to Northern Ireland
Unfortunately, it necessitates a difficult decision—I've had to temporarily suspend shipping to Northern Ireland. I hope you understand the complexity of this decision.
However, please be assured that if the NI government is successful in making changes to the NI Protocol/Windsor Agreement.
Therefore allowing me to ship our products to NI once again. I will immediately recommence shipping and send emails and make social media posts announcing that we are good to go.
Edit updated blog: 15th Dec 2024
As of 13th December 2024, the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) introduce significant changes that impact how small businesses operate. These regulations are aimed at strengthening product safety compliance across all consumer goods sold in Northern Ireland. However, they also pose significant challenges for small business owners like myself.
What’s ChangED?
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Sales to Northern Ireland Require a Responsible Economic Operator (REO)
The GPSR now mandates that all consumer goods sold in Northern Ireland must have a designated "Responsible Economic Operator" (REO) based in Northern Ireland or the EU. This REO ensures product safety compliance, serves as a contact for regulatory authorities, and manages the required documentation. For small businesses, appointing an REO involves high costs and administrative complexities, making it impractical. -
Traceability Requirements
Unlike sales within England, Scotland, and Wales—where traceability is logged through website sales transactions and tracked from Point A to Point B using postcodes—shipping to Northern Ireland comes with stricter requirements. Shipping within England, Scotland, and Wales is fully compliant because these transactions do not fall under the GPSR requirements. -
Every parcel shipped to Northern Ireland must meet the GPSR's enhanced traceability standards, ensuring compliance from the moment it is scanned and tracked.
This added layer of scrutiny makes even the smallest shipment subject to significant oversight, creating risks for businesses that are unable to meet the new standards.
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Different CLP Regulations in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland operates under EU-specific Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulations, which differ from those in England, Scotland, and Wales. This means that the same products require different CLPs for Northern Ireland, adding another costly and time-consuming compliance step for small businesses like mine. -
Impact Beyond Handmade Products
These regulations extend beyond handmade items like wax melts. They also affect second-hand goods and products sold on platforms like eBay, Etsy, and other online marketplaces. If you search "GPSR" on Google or social media, you’ll find countless stories of small businesses struggling to navigate these changes. -
Severe Penalties for Non-Compliance
The penalties for non-compliance with GPSR are severe. Parcels flagged as heading to Northern Ireland that don’t meet these standards could result in substantial fines—potentially enough to force a small business to close. This is not a risk I’m willing to take, as it could jeopardise everything I’ve built.
Ensuring compliance with the GPSR regulations is simply not feasible for a small business like mine. By focusing on sales within England, Scotland, and Wales, I can ensure that all products are fully traceable through my website sales transactions. This traceability includes logging shipments from Point A (my address) to Point B (the customer's address), ensuring compliance with UK regulations and maintaining the integrity of my business.
However, shipping to Northern Ireland under the new rules requires significant additional steps, including appointing an REO, creating separate CLPs, and adhering to stricter traceability and regulatory standards. Unfortunately, these requirements make it impossible for me to continue shipping there at this time.
Looking Ahead
While this decision has been incredibly difficult, I am closely monitoring potential updates to the Northern Ireland Protocol and related agreements. If changes make it feasible to ship to Northern Ireland again, I will immediately resume shipping and share the news via email and social media.
For now, I encourage customers to explore the ongoing discussions around GPSR. These regulations are impacting thousands of small businesses across the UK, and their effects extend far beyond mine. Your understanding and support mean the world to me as I navigate these challenges and continue to provide the best possible products in the safest and most compliant way.
Thank you for reading.
