Ipsos UK has been commissioned by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to carry out in-depth research with businesses like yours. The aim of the research is to understand how businesses selling goods in Northern Ireland, or producing goods moved between Great Britain and Northern Ireland prepare for and respond to changes in EU and the UK regulations.
Why take part?
Your experience matters. By sharing your perspective and experiences, you will help DBT design services and policies that reduce regulatory challenges and make compliance easier for businesses.
What does participation involve?
Our approach is designed to minimize disruption and adapt to your schedule. We are specialist researchers, experienced in undertaking sensitive and confidential research with businesses and professionals.
We’d work closely with your business to design a flexible approach unique to your working patterns and needs. Depending on the nature of your work, and your own preferences, we will undertake a mix of in-person and remote observations and interviews to understand your business needs. This might include interviews with staff members, document review, observations and shadowing. The goal is to gain a holistic understanding of your business operations and needs relating to government regulation.
Pilot research will take place over three days between 19th – 30th January 2026, and main research is due to take place between mid-February to early March. The exact schedule and timings will be mutually agreed with the researcher in advance.
What is the research incentive?
We appreciate that your time is valuable, so eligible businesses will receive up to £500.00 for full completion of the research over three working days. The incentive can also be paid according to participation in a staggered manner, for example to different staff members on different days, depending on their participation. This would be in the form of a bank transfer payment at the end of the study.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for businesses who:
• Are GB based and sell in NI OR
• Are NI based and sell in NI and/or GB
We may also be interested in hearing from businesses who are GB based and did sell in NI, but who have recently stopped.
Ideal companies would be:
• Those trading in goods rather than services
• Those whose products are subject to multiple different product regulations (especially those impacted by recent EU regulation changes e.g. Outdoor Noise, Machinery, the AI Act, the Cyber Resilience Act etc.)
What are the next steps?
If you are interested, please email [email protected] with your contact details and a convenient time for a call over the phone, on Microsoft Teams or Zoom. We will then explain the process in more detail and answer any questions you may have.
Your information will remain confidential and will not be shared with any third party without your consent.