The UK needs to clarify what ‘full regulatory alignment’ means before the next phase of the Brexit talks

In December 2017, EU leaders agreed to move to the next stage of the Brexit talks, but there was still a degree of uncertainty over the issue of the Irish border.

Anthony Costello argued that among the most pressing concerns is the need to define the UK’s commitment to have ‘regulatory alignment’ with the EU following Brexit. It was still unclear how the UK could leave the EU’s customs union, pursue its own trading arrangements with other countries, and yet avoid the creation of a hard Irish border.

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

BBC News, 06.12.17: Brexit: What is regulatory alignment? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-42240339

New Statesman, 06.12.17: Why “regulatory alignment” must apply to the whole of the UK after Brexit https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2017/12/why-regulatory-alignment-must-apply-whole-uk-after-brexit

The Guardian, 07.12.17: Leave campaigners warn May against 'regulatory alignment' with EU https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/07/leave-campaigners-warn-may-against-regulatory-alignment-with-eu

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