The UK has made the Radio Equipment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025 to update the Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 as they apply in Northern Ireland. The instrument was made on 25 November 2025, comes into force on 16 December 2025, extends to Northern Ireland only, and was approved by both Houses under the affirmative procedure. It implements Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 by inserting a new regulation 6A and aligning the conformity route accordingly.
In practical terms, the new regulation 6A activates additional “essential requirements” for connected devices. Internet‑connected radio equipment must be constructed so that it does not harm networks or misuse network resources in ways that cause unacceptable degradation of service. Devices that enable users to transfer money, monetary value or virtual currency must support features that protect against fraud.
The changes also require safeguards to protect personal data and privacy for several device types when they are capable of processing personal data, traffic data or location data. The scope covers internet‑connected radio equipment generally, radio equipment designed exclusively for childcare, radio equipment that is a toy within Directive 2009/48/EC, and wearable radio equipment including devices worn on the body or attached to clothing.
Regulation 6A sets clear exclusions. The network, privacy and anti‑fraud duties do not apply where sector legislation already manages the same risks, notably for medical and in vitro diagnostic devices. The privacy and anti‑fraud duties also do not apply to radio equipment that falls under the EU aviation framework, vehicle type‑approval rules or electronic road tolling legislation.
To reflect the new duties in market access checks, regulation 41 of the 2017 Regulations is amended so that the existing conformity assessment procedures now apply expressly to compliance with regulation 6A(2) to (4). Manufacturers remain responsible for selecting an appropriate module, compiling technical documentation and demonstrating conformity before placing products on the NI market.
The statutory instrument updates the definition of “essential requirements” in regulation 2(1) to include the new privacy, network integrity and anti‑fraud duties for internet‑connected radio equipment. It also maintains the distinct “common charger radio equipment” essential requirements introduced in 2024, which continue to operate alongside these changes.
For manufacturers and importers, the immediate task is to incorporate the new essential requirements into product design, risk assessment and technical files. Where applicable standards are used, the existing presumption‑of‑conformity route applies; where they are not, a notified body assessment route should be considered under the 2017 framework. Distributors should check documentation and declarations reflect compliance with regulation 6A from 16 December 2025.
The measure sits within the Windsor Framework settlement under which EU goods rules listed in Annex 2, including the Radio Equipment Directive, apply in Northern Ireland. Government guidance confirms that the 2017 Regulations operate UK‑wide but apply differently in NI to implement that Directive, with CE marking (and UKNI where a UK notified body is used) relevant to NI placements.
The instrument’s Explanatory Note confirms no full impact assessment was prepared because measures enacted under section 8C of the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 are treated as out of scope; an Explanatory Memorandum is published on legislation.gov.uk. The Regulations are signed by the Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection in the Department for Business and Trade.
For product teams, the real‑world effect is clear. Smartphones, smart speakers, connected toys, wearables and baby monitors destined for Northern Ireland must be engineered to protect networks, reduce fraud risk where payments are enabled, and safeguard user privacy where personal, traffic or location data are processed. Supply chains should plan for documentation updates and, where necessary, third‑party assessment before the 16 December 2025 commencement.