Britain is set to adopt EU rules banning all but one type of mobile charger over fears of a new “phone border” in the Irish Sea.
Ministers have announced plans to implement a single type of charger, called USB-C, following a bill passed in Brussels.
The ban is expected to come into force later this year, as Northern Ireland must automatically apply EU regulations.
Eurosceptics said the plan to roll it out across the UK showed how the Windsor Framework was bringing alignment with EU rules through the “back door”.
Marc Francois, chairman of the European Research Group, said: “When the Windsor Framework was announced, it was clear that the EU was using its influence in Northern Ireland as a ‘tail wag of the dog’ to impose widespread regulations across the country. “Some people warned me that I would forgive them,” he said. The whole of the UK, and this is just a perfect example of that.
“Labour clearly believes we should play by Brussels rules again, but they don’t have the honesty to admit that.”
‘Northern Ireland is at a loss’
Former Conservative Party leader Sir Ian Duncan Smith added:
“We have left Northern Ireland in limbo, they are now subject to EU law and with problems like this we need to change the law across the UK.
“This is an example of how the EU controls us through backdoors.”
Lord Dodds, former deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said the changes showed the government was trying to “cover up” how the Withdrawal Agreement had separated Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. .
“This shows how effectively the UK government is trying to hide the fact that Northern Ireland is no longer part of the UK market and to avoid a situation where some products available in the UK are not included in the UK market. “It’s a classic example of how people are being forced to adopt EU rules, which are already available in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“The government has not even said why this is being done. Such avoidance around the Protocol/Windsor Framework is now commonplace, as no one wants to acknowledge the extent of EU interference in UK affairs. ”
“Environmental benefits”
The Product Safety and Standards Agency, a specialist body within the business sector, issued a statement calling for evidence to make changes.
The document argues that adopting a single type of charger “has the potential to support businesses and benefit consumers and the environment.”
Although the document states that the EU has passed the same rules, it never mentions the fact that they will apply to Northern Ireland.
The city of Brussels has passed a law stating that all new devices such as mobile phones, tablets, cameras and headphones must use USB-C chargers.
It is due to come into force on 28 December and will apply immediately in Northern Ireland.
Sources told the Telegraph that the real reason the government planned to follow suit was concerns about the Irish Sea fresh produce border.
But officials are believed to have objected to any reference to the facts in the newspaper and prevented it from naming Northern Ireland as a key factor.
The proposals were originally drawn up by civil servants under the last Conservative government, but are now being brought forward under Labor.
Conservative ministers have previously said they are not considering mirroring the EU’s rules due to concerns they would place an unnecessary burden on businesses and hinder the development of new products. was.
