Notices from SEAI relating to Brexit.

Last updated December 16th 2020

On January 1st 2021, the UK is set to formally leave the EU. On foot of Government guidance, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is fully implementing measures to assist in the transition phase.

Please read specific notices below outlining the Authority’s considered impact that Brexit will have on SEAI programmes and areas of delegated function. Further notices will be issued.

These Brexit Preparedness notices are subject to change based on Brexit negotiation still active.

30th November 2020

Brexit Impacts

  1. Solar Photovoltaic modules/panels and Battery energy storage systems require certification by a recognised Notified Body to satisfy EU Conformity;
    • UK-based Notified Bodies will not be recognised from 1st January 2020.
    • Any products placed on market from 1st Jan 2021 require to transfer their certification or re-certify with a recognised Notified Body in the EU-27.
    • Product units already placed on the European market and in transit prior to December 31st will remain compliant.
    • Current economic operators who are distributors or resellers of products/materials sourced from the UK will become Importers and with new responsibilities.
  2. Irish manufacturers or Importers from another third country however currently using UK notified bodies for certification are impacted. It is possible to transfer certification to a recognised Notified Body.
  3. There is risk of supply-chain disruption impact on availability, lead time and cost.

It is noted that not all products require third party certification, and not all products that require third party certification require third party certification by an EU Notified Body. This will depend on the relevant EU product legislation, and means that the implications of a no-deal Brexit will be more significant for certain categories of product than for others. 

Installer Registration

  1. Installers are required to be certified by an accredited training programme and are registered independently by the scheme.
  2. Continued registration on the RIR will become an additional requirement be a SEAI Scheme Registered Installer.
  3. Following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31st  December 2020, accredited qualifications from the UK and Northern Ireland will no longer be recognised after January 1st 2021.  

Stakeholders

  1. Registered companies and registered installers for SEAI Solar Photovoltaic programmes.
  2. Current economic operators or distributors of related products.

SEAI Change Notification

  1. Registered Solar PV Installers require registration on both the National Renewable Installer Register (RIR) and the SEAI Solar PV Installer Register.
  2. Criterion for registration into the RIR will change 2021;
    • New conditions will apply for first registration, renewals and de-registration.
    • UK qualifications will not be recognised after 1st January for new registrations.
    • Registration will be for time-based periods of 24 months, followed by a process of Renewal.
    • SEAI will introduce an online training certification process to satisfy RIR registration renewal.
  3. SEAI will require all current RIR registrations to re-register within 12 months to introduce time-based registration.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Assess your supply-chain for EU Conformity issues post Brexit.
  2. Assess your supply-chain for any impacted changes to product availability, lead time and cost.
  3. If you rely on a UK-based qualification, re-register for RIR after 1st November and before 31st December.It will be recognised for a period of 24 months.
  4. If you rely on a UK-based Notified Body;
    • Ensure you source an alternative in compliance with European requirements
    • Evaluation the possibility of transferring existing certification to a recognised Notified Body in advance of 31st December.

Required Action

  1. Economic operators importing products from the UK are required to meet new responsibility that entails, including.
    • New Irish Customs procedures 
    • EU Conformity compliance assurance
    • Compliance with Energy labelling regulations and Ecodesign directive.
  2. All current RIR registrations to re-register before 31st December 2021.

Useful Links

30th November 2020

Brexit Impacts

  1. SEAI has delegated responsibility to maintain an Irish Renewable Installer Register according to Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) and Irish Statute (SI No 482 of 2014)
  2. Installers of the associated technologies are required to be certified by an accredited training programme or training provider that is accredited by SEAI or hold certification awarded by other EU Member States that are in accordance with the criteria set out in the regulations and recognised by SEAI
  3. Following the end of the Brexit transition period on 31st  December 2020, accredited qualifications from UK and Northern Ireland will no longer be recognised after January 1st 2021.
  4. Brexit has also highlighted the requirement for time-restricted registration within the RIR, which has not been maintained heretofore.
  5. The general EU presumption against retrospectivity will serve to ensure that SEAI will not be legally obliged to automatically purge the current RIR as a consequence of a no-deal Brexit.
  6. Registration on the RIR will become an additional requirement be a SEAI Scheme Registered Installer.

Stakeholders

  1. Registered Contractors for Better Energy Homes, Better Energy Communities and Solar PV grant programmes.
  2. Any small scale (domestic) renewable technology installer (small-scale biomass boilers and stoves, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal systems, shallow geothermal systems and heat pumps) – doing business anywhere in the EU-27.
  3. Representative Industry Representative Bodies (e.g., CIBSE, Heat Pump Association of Ireland, Association of Energy Engineers).

SEAI Change Notification

  1. Criterion for registration into the RIR will change from 2021.
    • New conditions will apply for first registration, renewals and de-registration.
    • UK or Northern Ireland qualifications will not be recognised after 1st January 2021 for new registrations.
    • Registration will be time-restricted for a period of 24 months, followed by a new process of Renewal.
    • Registration will continue to be individually named, i.e., not by the organisation name.
  2. SEAI will require all current RIR registrations to re-register within 12 months to introduce time-based registration.
  3. SEAI will introduce an online training certification process that will satisfy RIR registration renewal by June 2021.
  4. Registration renewal can equally be provided using refresher training by accredited training providers.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. If you rely on a UK-based qualification, re-register for the RIR before 31st December 2020.
  2. The general EU presumption against retrospectivity and will allow recognition for the time-restricted period of 24 months
  3. Industry Representative Bodies should ensure that RIR impact of Brexit is communicated to all its members.

Required Action

  1. All current RIR registrations to re-register before 31st December 2021.
  2. Plan for Renewal of registration every two years.

Useful Links

30th November 2020

Brexit Impacts

  1. Requirements under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies for personal data processing. From the end of the Brexit transition period, EU law on data processing will no longer apply to the UK, including Northern Ireland. Special safeguards must be placed to ensure that the levels of protection provided by EU data protection legislation travels with that data.
  2. SEAI will continue to recognise UK-based qualifications as pre-qualification for BER assessor applications. 
  3. Third-party certification using UK-based notified bodies for hot water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels will not be recognised post Brexit. Notified body certification is mandated through the Boiler Efficiency Directive 92/42/EEC.  
  4. HARP and PCBD data source is used for purpose of DEAP or SBEM non-default data and will continue post-Brexit. SEAI will introduce new internal procedures for new products and renewal of data in HARP and use of PCDB that may be impacted by Brexit, notably products within scope of the Boiler Efficiency Directive 92/42/EEC and the Construction Products Regulation (EU) No 305/2011.
  5. The DHLGH Brexit advice notice is applied. This advises a two-year transition period that UKAS (UK National Accreditation Board) will remain a recognised member of the European Accreditation Association (EA), until 31 January 2022. Third-party laboratory certification accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 and EN 13141 by UKAS will continue to be recognised.
  6. Non-default data sources from BFRC (windows) BBA (insulation products), Hetas (stoves) are not subject to the Construction Products Regulation. SEAI will continue to recognise thermal performance certified data from these sources for the purpose of BER assessments.
  7. BER assessors are required to ensure that non-default data entry into DEAP and SBEM are from a source that is CE conforming using recognised Notified Bodies situated in the EEA where required.

Stakeholders

  1. BER assessors
  2. Manufacturers of windows, doors, insulation, stoves, boilers
  3. Manufacturers of components/products for residential ventilation

SEAI Change Notification

  1. QADP audits will consider new conformity requirements of non-default data for DEAP calculations.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Manufacturers of ventilation products using UK-based notified bodies should transfer data to recognised EU notified prior to 31st December.
  2. Data sourced from HARP and PCDB continues post Brexit.
  3. Ensure personal data storage and controls is compliant with GDPR.

Required Action

  1. BER assessors to check non-default data source from recognised notified bodies for boilers and ventilation products.

Useful Links

30th November 2020

Brexit Impacts

  1. Disruption risk in your supply-chain for products/materials sourced from UK is possible. This may include, for example;
    • EU Conformity requirements (dependent on product)*
    • Routing and new procedures through Irish customs
    • Possible cost inflation
    • Increased lead time for delivery
  2. If you source directly from the UK, you will become an Importer and need to satisfy new responsibilities.
  3. Requirements under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies for personal data processing. From the end of the Brexit transition period, EU law on data processing will no longer apply to the UK, including Northern Ireland.  Special safeguards must be place to ensure that the levels of protection provided by EU data protection legislation travels with that data.
  4. The Renewable Installer Register RIR will no longer recognise UK qualification for installation of related technologies.

Please note that products in transit on 1st January will remain in compliance.

Stakeholders

  1. SEAI Registered contractors
  2. Energy Suppliers

SEAI Change Notification

  1. SEAI will introduce the requirement for BEH Scheme contractors installing Heat Pumps and Solar thermal to be registered on the Renewable Installers Register (RIR). This change will not be immediate, allowing an appropriate time for RIR registration, however will be introduced to address non-recognition of UK qualification equivalence.
  2. Use and registration within the BEH Scheme Contractor Register will continue to be a requirement but will be adjusted for overlapping RIR criterion.
    • RIR registration will be a requirement for new BEH contractors from 1st January 2021.
    • RIR registration as a requirement for existing BEH contractors will be phased in by 1st January 2022. 
    • Installers who rely on UK or Northern Ireland based accredited qualifications will benefit from registration before December 31st 2020 and will remain on the RIR for 24 months, after which time registration is renewed.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Risk assess your own supply-chain for Brexit readiness and possible disruption leading up to and post Brexit.
  2. If an importer, ensure you are prepared in advance for new responsibilities for importation and product conformity, and new Irish Customer procedures.
  3. Register on RIR, if relying on UK or Northern Irish based qualification prior to December 31st 2020.
  4. SEAI will continue to recognise UK-based qualification for heating controls on SEAI Scheme registers.

Required Action

  1. Registered contractors are to notify SEAI of any instance of personal data travelling to UK or Northern Ireland for purpose of BEH processing.
  2. Standard Contractual Clauses relating to data protection will apply as appropriate and identified by SEAI.

Useful Links

30th November 2020

  1. Disruption risk in your supply-chain for products/materials sourced from UK is possible. This may include, for example;
    • EU Conformity requirements (dependent on product)*
    • Routing and new procedures through Irish customs
    • Possible cost inflation

    • Increased lead time for delivery

  2. If you source directly from the UK, you will become an Importer and need to satisfy new responsibilities.
  3. Requirements under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies for personal data processing. From the end of the Brexit transition period, EU law on data processing will no longer apply to the UK, including Northern Ireland.  Special safeguards must be place to ensure that the levels of protection provided by EU data protection legislation travels with that data.
  4. The Renewable Installer Register RIR will no longer recognise UK qualification for installation of related technologies.

Please note that products in transit on 1st January will remain in compliance.

Stakeholders

  1. SEAI WHS contractor
  2. Energy Suppliers

SEAI Change Notification

  1. SEAI will introduce the requirement that WHS contractors installing renewable technologies (heat pumps) to register on the Renewable Installers Register (RIR). This change will not be immediate to allow an appropriate timeframe for RIR registration, however will be introduced to address non-recognition of UK qualification equivalence.
  2. WHS contracts will be amended to reflect new requirements imposed by Brexit. - RIR registration as a requirement for existing WHS contractors and be phased in by 1st January 2022. 

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Risk assess your own supply-chain for Brexit readiness and possible disruption leading up to and after the end of the Brexit transition period on 31st December 2020.
  2. If an importer, ensure you are prepared in advance for new responsibilities for importation and product conformity, and new Irish Customer procedures.
  3. Register on RIR, if relying on UK or Northern Irish based qualification prior to December 31st 2020. Registration will remain active for 24 months, after which time registration renewal is required.

Required Action

  1. WHS contractors are to notify SEAI of any instance of personal data travelling to UK or Northern Ireland for purpose of WHS processing.
  2. Standard Contractual Clauses relating to data protection will apply as appropriate and identified by SEAI.

Useful Links

30th November 2020

Brexit Impacts

SEAI maintains a register of energy auditors to satisfy obligations of Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (Directive 2012/27/EU). SEAI has discretion on the level of qualification and experience requirements for purposes of Auditor registration. Renewal of registration is annual.

  1. The title of ESOS (UK Auditing Scheme) Lead Assessor title will no longer be recognised as part of the qualification criterion to register as Energy Auditor.
  2.  UK based qualifications, including Northern Ireland qualifications, will continue to be recognised in national law in Ireland from 1st January. UK technical qualifications, minimum level 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree will be acceptable for the purposes of certification in Ireland’.
  3. UK or Northern Ireland based Auditors can continue annual registration for business in EU providing the minimum criterion is satisfied.
  4. Requirements under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies for personal data processing. From the end of the Brexit transition period, EU law on data processing will no longer apply to the UK, including Northern Ireland.  Special safeguards must be placed to ensure that the levels of protection provided by EU data protection legislation travels with that data.

Stakeholders

  1. Register Energy Auditors

SEAI Change Notification

  1. ESOS (UK Auditing Scheme) Lead Assessor title will not apply from 1st January for new registrants.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Any Registered Energy Auditor should using ESOS Lead Auditor title should renew registration prior to 31st December. This will maintain registration for a period of 1 year.

Required Action

  1. None.

Useful Links

30th November 2020

Brexit Impacts

SEAI maintains the Triple E database to store most efficient products for sale on the Irish market by technology category. Economic operators register products according to stock-keeping unit (SKU) number (or part number) by technology category.

The Accelerated Capital Allowances listing is a subset of the Triple-E with new approvals conducted on a bi-monthly frequency.

  1. Economic operators who are distributors or product resellers are required to maintain CE certification and that any associated technical documentation is correctly registered on Triple E. This includes any statutory or EU Regulation requirement for third-party product certification. UK-based notified bodies will no longer be recognised following Brexit and will be addressed by manufacturers to maintain EU conformity.
  2. Accelerated Capital Allowance ONLY applies to assets that are CE Certified and signifies EU conformance during the period of purchase.
  3. Product units entering the European market after 1st January 2021 will be required to have updated notified body certification (where mandated) to maintain qualification for ACA.
  4. The Public Sector are required to purchase from the Triple E. EU conformity is an implicit requirement when cross-referencing Triple E registration.
  5. For ACA, Public sector and commercial procurement the principle of non-retrospectivity (of non-compliance) applies only to product units already entered the EU market up to 31st December 2021.
  6. The purchaser will be required to assure appropriate CE certification.

It is noted that not all products require third party certification, and not all products that require third party certification require third party certification by an EU Notified Body. This will depend on the relevant EU product legislation, and means that the implications of a no-deal Brexit is more significant for certain categories of product than for other.

Stakeholders

  1. Manufacturers
  2. Distributors, Resellers (Economic operators)
  3. Commercial procurement and accountancy
  4. Public Sector procurement

SEAI Change Notification

  1. UK-based notified bodies will no longer be recognised from 1st January 2021 for NEW Triple-E registrations and bi-monthly qualification for ACA listing.
  2. SEAI requires that all economic operators using Triple E and ACA will update their products’ Triple E registration where impacted.
  3. Part number changes arising from Brexit by either the manufacturer or the sales operator will require re-qualification for ACA listing.
  4. The principle of non-retrospectivity will apply for Triple E registration and ACA products, specifically for businesses seeking accelerated capital allowance mid-year and end-year 2021. SEAI will take the following approach to catering for this transition.
    • SEAI will not immediately purge the Triple E and ACA lists where UK-based notified body certification are on record. Assets entering the EU market in 2020, in transition at Brexit, will continue to cross-reference product registrations.
    • A period of two years (ending 31st December 2022) will provide an adequately timeframe for non-retrospectivity of existing Triple E records. This will provide the timeframe for Triple E and ACA renewal.
    • SEAI will remove any remaining products that have non-recognised notified body third-party certification from 1st January 2023.
  5. SEAI will implement a new process for product registration, renewal and de-registration for Triple E and ACA as part of an updated quality management framework in 2021.
    • The bi-monthly ACA qualification process will increase sampling rate from 20% to 40% for a period of one year.
    • The quality control plan will ensure recognised product information is registered for product submissions, product families and product suppliers (registrants)

Additional Change Notification – not directly caused by Brexit.

  1. The quality management framework will also include within scope procedures for regular updating of energy efficiency criterion, including any update necessary arising from changes to product regulation, product legislation or changes to energy efficiency criterion at the discretion of SEAI.
  2. Budget 2021 announced that all fossil fuel technologies will be removed from the ACA listing by 31st December. Fossil fuel technology will no longer be eligible for accelerated capital allowances.
  3. A review is being conducted for additional technology categories to be added to Triple E and qualify for ACA by April 30th.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Procurement functions should engage with suppliers to assure eligibility for ACA in the current tax year, including registration on the Triple E and ACA listing.

Required Action

  1. Economic operators are required to verify registration on Triple E and ACA listing.
  2. Procurement responsibility are required to assure appropriate CE certification on procurement and to engage with their supplier for appropriate registration on Triple E and ACA.

Useful Links

30th November 2020

Brexit Impacts

Market surveillance relating to the EU Ecodesign Directive, the EU Energy Labelling Regulation and the EU Tyre Labelling Regulation (Hereafter, “the regulations”

SEAI is the Market Surveillance Authority (MSA) for the enforcement of legislation relating to tyre labelling, energy labelling and ecodesign of energy-related products in Ireland.

Regardless of whether the UK and the EU achieve a deal:

  1. As of 1st January 2021, businesses that buy products from the UK which have not previously been placed on the market in the EU will become importers This means that they will need to comply with a new set of obligations according to the applicable EU rules.
  2. As of 1st January 2021, all products coming into the EU from Great Britain will be subject to applicable regulatory compliance checks and controls undertaken by Customs and Market Surveillance Authorities.

Stakeholders

  1. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of products subject to the Regulations
  2. Trade associations with an interest in products covered by the Regulations
  3. Retailers of products subject to energy labelling and tyre labelling

SEAI Change Notification

While there will be no substantive change to the range of market surveillance services provided by SEAI, from 1st January 2021, greater emphasis will be placed on monitoring the compliance of products coming into Ireland from the UK.

Stakeholder Advice

If you become an importer, ensure you are aware of your obligations according to the applicable EU rules.

Required Action

  1. Economic operators importing products from the UK from 1st January should ensure that:
    • you are aware of your obligations relating to product compliance; and
    • products you import are correctly labelled and marked in accordance with applicable EU legislation
  2. Retailers displaying products subject to EU Energy Labelling and EU Tyre Labelling Regulations should ensure that only labelling applicable to the EU market are displayed i.e. No UK energy or tyre labels to appear in Irish retail outlets or tyre retail outlets

Useful Links

16th December 2020

Brexit Impacts

  1. Disruption risk in your supply-chain for products/materials sourced from UK is possible. This may include, for example;
    • EU Conformity requirements (dependent on product)
    • Routing and new procedures through Irish customs
    • Possible cost inflation
    • Increased lead time for delivery
  2. If you source directly from Great Britain, you will become an Importer and need to satisfy new responsibilities.
  3. As of 1st January 2021, all products coming into the EU from Great Britain (i.e. the UK excluding Northern Ireland) will be subject to applicable regulatory compliance checks and controls undertaken by Customs and Market Surveillance Authorities.
  4. Dependent on whether product-related legislation or Regulation applies, third-party performance certification may be required.* 
    • UK-based Notified Bodies will not be recognised from 1st January 2021.
    • Product units already placed on the European market and in transit prior to 31st December will remain compliant.
    • Product placement on the market post 1st January 2021 requires certification from a recognised Notified Body situated within the EU-27.
    • Market placement relates to product units - not on product model or family.
  5. Requirements under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies for personal data processing. From the end of the Brexit transition period, EU law on data processing will no longer apply to the UK, including Northern Ireland.  Special safeguards must be place to ensure that the levels of protection provided by EU data protection legislation travels with that data.

* It is noted that not all products require third party certification, and not all products that require third party certification require third party certification by an EU Notified Body. This will depend on the relevant EU product legislation, and means that the implications of a no-deal Brexit will be more significant for certain categories of product than for other.

Stakeholders

  1. SEAI Programme grant applicants.
  2. Economic operators or distributors of related products within SEAI value-chain.

SEAI Change Notification

  1. No SEAI programme changes are necessary.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Assess your supply-chain for any impacted changes to product conformity, product availability, lead-time and cost.

Required Action

  1. Economic operators importing products from Great Britain are required to meet new responsibility, including:
    • New Irish Customs procedures 
    • EU Conformity compliance assurance
    • Compliance with Energy labelling regulations and Ecodesign directive.

Useful Links

16th December 2020

Brexit Impacts

  1. EV home Charger units require certification by a recognised Notified Body to satisfy EU Conformity, specifically Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU.
    • UK-based Notified Bodies will not be recognised from 1st January 2020.
    • Any products placed on market from 1st Jan 2021 require to transfer their certification or re-certify with a recognised Notified Body in the EU-27
    • Product units already placed on the European market and in transit prior to December 31st will remain compliant.
    • Current economic operators who are distributors or resellers of EV Charger Units sourced from the UK will become Importers and with new responsibilities
  2. Irish manufacturers or Importers from another third country using UK notified bodies for certification are impacted.
  3. There is risk of supply-chain disruption impact on availability, lead-time and cost.
  4. Requirements under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies for personal data processing. From the end of the Brexit transition period, EU law on data processing will no longer apply to the UK, including Northern Ireland.  Special safeguards must be place to ensure that the levels of protection provided by EU data protection legislation travels with that data.

Stakeholders

  1. Economic operators who are importers of EV Home Charger Units.

SEAI Change Notification

  1. No change notification is applicable.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Assess your supply-chain for EU Conformity issues post Brexit.
  2. Assess your supply-chain for any impacted changes to product availability, lead-time and cost.
  3. If you rely on a UK-based Notified Body
    • Ensure you source an alternative in compliance with European requirements
    • Evaluate the possibility of transferring existing certification to a recognised Notified Body in advance of 31st December.

Required Action

  1. Economic operators importing products from the UK are required to meet new responsibility that entails;
    • New Irish Customs procedures 
    • EU Conformity compliance assurance
    • Compliance with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive.

Useful Links

16th December 2020

Brexit Impacts

  1. Disruption risk in your supply-chain for biomass boilers, heat pumps, Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and other heating system materials sourced from Great Britain is possible. This may include, for example;
    • EU Conformity requirements (dependent on product)
    • Routing and new procedures through Irish customs
    • Possible cost inflation
    • Increased lead time for delivery
  2. If you source directly from Great Britain (i.e. the UK excluding Northern Ireland), you will become an Importer and need to satisfy new responsibilities.
  3. As of 1st January 2021, all products coming into the EU from Great Britain will be subject to applicable regulatory compliance checks and controls undertaken by Customs and Market Surveillance Authorities.
    • Heat pumps, biomass boilers and CHP systems are subject the conformity to the Ecodesign directive and Energy Efficiency Directive. Currently this does not require third party certification and unaffected by Brexit.
  4. As of 1st January 2021, the import requirements of wood and wood products from GB (i.e. the UK excluding Northern Ireland), will change.
    • Any person or legal entity that imports affected timber or timber products, and places on the EU market for the first time will be determined to be an “operator” under the EU Timber Regulation (EU) No.995/2010 (EUTR), no matter where the timber was originally harvested.
    • Operators are prohibited from placing illegally harvested timber or timber products derived from such timber on the EU market. 
    • Therefore an operator is required to have a Due Diligence System in place and must exercise due diligence when placing these timber or timber products on the EU market.
  5. Biomass material imported from Northern Ireland will not be impacted. The movement of timber and timber products from Northern Ireland to the EU and vice-versa is not an import but an intra-EU movement for the purposes of the EU Timber Regulation (EU) No 995/2010. The plant health regime will continue as it is between Ireland and Northern Ireland including the plant passporting of coniferous wood that is not bark free.
  6. Biomass wood products that currently require a plant passport will from 1st January 2021 require a phytosanitary certificate and will be subject to Customs control and plant health inspection before entering Ireland/EU.
    • The plant health requirements will depend on the species and origin of the wood chip. Fees will be levied for import inspections.
    • Timber importers will need to register for plant health as professional operators if they are not already registered as such.
    • More information is available at Gov.ie
  7. Professional Indemnity Insurance is a requirement under the Scheme for Designer Engineers. Standards, authorisations and expectations that have been obtained heretofore may not continue to apply.
  8. Requirements under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies for personal data processing. From the end of the Brexit transition period, EU law on data processing will no longer apply to the UK, including Northern Ireland.  Special safeguards must be place to ensure that the levels of protection provided by EU data protection legislation travels with that data.

Stakeholders

  1. SEAI Programme  applicants.
  2. Economic operators or distributors of SSRH related products within SEAI value-chain.
  3. Biomass supply-chain.

SEAI Change Notification

  1. No SEAI programme changes are necessary.

Stakeholder Advice

  1. Assess your supply-chain for any impacted changes to product conformity, product availability, imported biomass material, lead-time and cost.
  2. Obtain assurance that Professional Indemnity Insurance continues to apply post Brexit.

Required Action

  1. Economic operators importing products from Great Britain are required to meet new responsibility, including.
    • New Irish Customs procedures 
    • EU Conformity compliance assurance
    • Phytosanitary certification for biomass
    • Compliance with Energy labelling regulations and Ecodesign Directive.

Useful Links