Let's try to simplify and codify the rather confusing discussion on handling regulations in the UK-EU trade deal. Because terminology is being used that means different things to different people... 1/
The UK automatically following EU regulations - best called dynamic alignment - assumption that we will not do this in a trade deal. Welcome suggestions of anywhere we would accept this. 2/
UK participating in regional (wider than EU) or global standard setting organisations - such as UNECE car regulations or European standardisation organisation. Presume we want to be part of these as key parts of global trade infrastructure. 3/
UK meeting minimum regulatory 'level playing field' requirements - such as adherence to ILO fundamental conventions. Assume we have to do this as prerequisite for trade deals. 4/
Finally the largest category - best called equivalence - where UK and EU agree that regulations are suitably aligned to provide market access preferences. Assume we have no objection in principle but application will differ across sectors 5/
We then need to incorporate into UK-EU agreements some mechanisms for managing regulatory equivalence given that product regulations are constantly being updated. We could call this a regulatory partnership perhaps? 6/
Trade and regulation is a vast and complex subject and I don't pretend to know all the detail of different sectors. This is where I hope to learn from other experts here, to refine what might work in future UK-EU relations. I hope the government does likewise... 7/ (pause)
