Northern Ireland
This clause exists because the answer is unresolved, and because a number of retailers are treating the UK-wide product rules as though they settled the whole question. They did not.
6.1What the instrument does and does not reach
In SI 2026/848, regulations 1 and 2 extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Regulation 3, which amends the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, extends to England and Wales and Scotland only.
So the product-approval side reaches Northern Ireland. The electricity safety side, as amended by this instrument, does not.
6.2The connection code is different
The product specification states in terms that Engineering Recommendation G98 applies to Great Britain only, that in Northern Ireland connection requirements are set out separately by Engineering Recommendation G98/NI, and that application of the specification to Northern Ireland is subject to further consideration and may require amendment.
Northern Ireland's distribution network is operated by Northern Ireland Electricity Networks and is not part of the fourteen Great Britain licence areas.
6.3What the consultation recorded
The government response records that a small number of respondents raised questions on how the standards would apply to Northern Ireland, and questioned whether there were implications for the Windsor Framework. The government acknowledged the comments without resolving the question.
6.4The practical position
It will not say plug-in solar is legal and usable in Northern Ireland on the same terms as Great Britain, because no source supports that. It will not say it is prohibited either.
The accurate statement is that the product rules were made on a UK-wide basis, the electricity safety and network connection arrangements are separate and were not, and the department has said that applying the specification in Northern Ireland needs further consideration. Anyone asserting a settled position is going beyond the published documents.