Preparing for a new phase of UK-EU regulatory alignment

The UK Government is preparing to introduce legislation in May’s King’s Speech that could mark a significant shift in the country’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union. The proposed bill would create a mechanism allowing ministers to bring around 76 EU rules back into UK law. While framed as a pragmatic step to unlock future sector-wide trade agreements, the announcement signals that, almost a decade on from the referendum, direct compliance with EU regulation is likely to become a key issue for UK organisations again.