evidence: There are over 300 EU legislative instruments that still apply in Northern Ireland. If these are amended or updated, Northern Ireland will be required to stay in line with those changes. This means that if the UK or EU diverge from each other in these standards, the difference in rules applying between NI and the rest of the UK could grow, with knock-on effects for GB-NI trade friction. The exact process by which Northern Ireland will remain legislatively aligned with parts of the EU acquis is not yet clear. In principle, some of this comes under devolved competence but ultimately the UK Government is responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms of this international agreement. [...] Northern Ireland also has to follow a range of EU directives as they are updated and amended– for instance around fuel duties or food safety. If the UK diverges from these standards over time it could disrupt imports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland or create competitive disadvantage for traders on one side of the Irish Sea if they face greater costs than those on the other side.