Northern Ireland will introduce new essential requirements for connected radio products on 16 December 2025 under the Radio Equipment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1244). The instrument amends the Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 as they apply in Northern Ireland to give effect to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30, as required by the Windsor Framework. The Regulations were made on 25 November 2025 and take effect 21 days later.
The amendment inserts regulation 6A and updates definitions. Internet-connected radio equipment is defined by reference to Article 1 of EU 2022/30, and terms including personal data, traffic data and location data adopt the same meanings. Manufacturers must design internet‑connected radio equipment so it does not harm the network, nor misuse network resources in a way that causes an unacceptable degradation of service.
Radio equipment that enables the holder or user to transfer money, monetary value or virtual currency must support features that protect users from fraud. This obligation applies to internet‑connected radio equipment with payment or wallet capabilities and is implemented via regulation 6A(3).
Privacy protections are mandated for four groups of products when they process personal data, traffic data or location data: all internet‑connected radio equipment; radio equipment designed or intended exclusively for childcare; toys within Directive 2009/48/EC; and wearables designed or intended to be worn on the body or clothing. Such equipment must incorporate safeguards that protect the privacy of users and subscribers.
Exclusions are built in by cross‑reference to Article 2 of EU 2022/30. The network integrity requirement in regulation 6A(2) does not apply where other listed EU legislation already governs the equipment, and the anti‑fraud and privacy obligations in regulation 6A(3) and (4) do not apply where the equipment is covered by legislation listed in Article 2(1) or 2(2). Manufacturers should map product scope against those lists before placing goods on the Northern Ireland market.
The definition of ‘essential requirements’ in regulation 2 is restructured. It now signposts the baseline requirements in regulation 6(1) and 6(2) for all radio equipment, the additional network, anti‑fraud and privacy provisions in regulation 6A for internet‑connected categories, and the separate provisions for common charger radio equipment in regulation 6(5).
Conformity assessment provisions in regulation 41 are amended so that the new obligations in regulation 6A(2) to (4) are included within the appropriate procedures. In practical terms, manufacturers will need to show, within their technical documentation and Declaration of Conformity, how the product meets the added requirements, or use an assessment route involving a notified body where relevant.
The Regulations extend to Northern Ireland only. They implement obligations flowing from the Windsor Framework, which maintains alignment with EU rules listed in Annex 2, including the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. The enabling powers relied upon are section 8C(1) and paragraph 21 of Schedule 7 to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
For economic operators, the operational tasks are immediate. Review connected toys, childcare monitors, wearables and devices with payment functionality to ensure design‑time controls protect network stability, embed fraud‑prevention features where value transfer is enabled, and safeguard user data when processed. Update labelling, instructions and the technical file to reflect the new essential requirements.
The instrument is signed by the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection at the Department for Business and Trade, Kate Dearden, dated 25 November 2025. An Explanatory Memorandum is published alongside the Regulations. No separate impact assessment has been prepared because measures under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 fall outside the standard assessment regime.