Services: market access and standards in future EU-UK relations

The negotiations on a trade agreement after Brexit show how difficult it is to reconcile the UK's aspiration to sovereignty and autonomy with the EU's objective of linking trade freedoms to compliance with level playing field or minimum standard rules. In the services sector, which is of particular importance to the UK, common rules and standards are essential for efficient markets. The contribution therefore proposes a mechanism to condition the opening of markets between the EU and the UK on a sufficient degree of alignment of standards and a comparable competitive environment. This should take place within an institutionalised regulatory cooperation which leaves both sides with complete regulatory autonomy, while at the same time creating the conditions for extensive mutual market access, thus ensuring the continuation of the intensive trade relations which are in the interests of both sides.