'Increasingly hard' to buy certain tumble dryers in Northern Ireland due to the Windsor Framework

It is a situation which TUV leader Jim Allister has branded "absurd".

This reporter looked into the matter after visiting branches of Currys in greater Belfast and being told they could not sell any condenser tumble dryers from their catalogue due to the Windsor Framework.

These machines can however be purchased in their shops in Great Britain.

It turns out the issue does not just apply to Currys but to vendors of the machines in general.

Condenser tumble dryers are generally more energy-hungry, hotter, and faster than their main rival type – heat pump dryers – and do not need access to outside air so can be placed anywhere in the house.

In July last year, new EU rules on energy efficiency and labelling came into force.

Because of Brexit these do not apply to the UK – except in Northern Ireland, where the Windsor Framework means they must still be observed.

The upshot is while you can still get condenser machines in England, Scotland, and Wales, only the more efficient (but slower, less-hot, and more space-restrictive) heat pump type is available to order in Northern Ireland.

The Consumer Council told the News Letter that the new rules should still mean you can buy condenser machines in Northern Ireland, so long as you can find one that is held in stock locally and was placed on the market before July 1, 2025.

It added: "The Consumer Council is aware that since the introduction of updated EU energy efficiency rules some consumers have experienced difficulty purchasing tumble dryers from Great Britain.

"We do not currently have statistics on the scale of this issue; however, our ongoing research will continue to examine the impact arising from the application of EU rules in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework on product availability and consumer choice."

The BRC told the News Letter: "Regulatory divergence between Great Britain and the EU since July 2025 has made it increasingly difficult for retailers to supply tumble dryers to both markets, as differing energy labels create unnecessary complexity.

"We urge the government to lay the required statutory instrument so these regulatory amendments can be made as soon as possible."

Mr Allister described the situation as "yet another absurd illustration of being subject to laws we do not make and can’t change, forcing consumers to buy more expensive heat pump tumble dryers rather than cheaper condenser models".

He added: "Instead of standing up to the EU, the government, as part of its realignment by stealth with the EU, now plans to apply the same ban as the EU across the UK - thus depriving all citizens of cheaper goods.

"Meanwhile that which for now is available to GB citizens is denied to NI consumers."

The Northern Ireland Office said: "The government is committed to ensuring Northern Ireland consumers have access to the same choice of appliances as the rest of the UK.

"We have already provided guidance to retailers on a labelling easement to enable the continued sale of tumble dryers in Northern Ireland from Great Britain, and expect to introduce measures to permanently address this."

In addition to not being able to order in condenser dryers, Currys staff also said that no tumble dryer of any kind can be delivered to NI customers' homes anymore; instead customers must ferry them home in their own vehicles, or else hire a van.

Again the Windsor Framework was cited, though enquiries have not been able to shed light on what part of it would prevent home deliveries.