Regulations: To EU or not to EU

So Sajid Javid, the UK chancellor, has stated that the UK will not remain in alignment with EU regulations after its exit from the EU, saying “We will not be a ruletaker, we will not be in the single market and we will not be in the customs union – and we will do this by the end of the year,” Mr Javid urged companies to “adjust” to the new reality.

He has not, in his infinite wisdom, advised which regulations he is referring to, but I would urge Mr Javid to get in touch with the real reality of what the purpose of regulations and standards is.

Through a series of instruments, guidance documents, and declarations, the Government has set out a policy whereby former EU legislation, regulations and directives will be retained in English law. I can quite imagine that, in line with its normal modus operandi, the Conservative Government will chip, chop, change and U-turn, without reference to “the will of the people” that it so vehemently purports to support. However, Mr J. needs to understand where these Rules, Regulations and Standards came from, why it makes no sense to ditch them and how long it would take to replace them.

Standards are developed by organisations, nationally and internationally, with the purpose of sharing knowledge, innovation and best practice (as the British Standards Institute [Bsi] describes their work) – not to create a series of straight jackets to restrict the activities of businesses, but to enable customers, clients and purchasers to express their requirements and/or practices in a commonly accepted way.

Bsi works throughout the world in conjunction with other national standards organisations and international organisations (ISO), as well as the European organisation (CEN). Why would the exit from the EU affect this work, when it provides such clear benefits?

Mr J., please clarify.