Lords to explore standards and regulations in trade agreements

The evidence session will be conducted on Zoom

Follow live on Parliament TV from 4pm Wednesday 7 October.

Giving evidence will be:

• Sue Davies MBE, Head of Consumer Protection and Food Policy, Which?
• Dr Scott Steedman CBE, Director of Standards, British Standards Institution (BSI)
• Richard Rumbelow, Director of International Affairs and Export Services, Make UK

Questions are likely to include:

• How do ‘standards’ and ‘regulations’ differ and why both are important?
• How does the UK’s current approach to regulating and setting standards differ to that of potential trading partners, like the US?
• How are international standards developed and used in general?
• How can trade deals best protect consumer rights and product safety? Are there good examples that can be used as templates?
• What does the term “food standards” encompass, how are those standards are set, and why they are such a key issue – particularly in relation to the UK-US trade talks?
• What do you think we should look out for in digital trade provisions?
• Do you have concerns about FTAs inhibiting the UK’s ability to regulate in key areas, like protecting the environment?
• How well is the Government doing in involving your organisations in developing its objectives and during negotiations?