Ministers from the EU have approved their mandate for post-Brexit trade talks with the UK.
The document - approved by the EU General Affairs Council on Tuesday - will be the basis for the negotiations, to be carried out by Michel Barnier.
It says that EU standards should serve as "a reference point" in any future trade deal.
Meanwhile, UK ministers have agreed the government's mandate for the negotiations, which begin on Monday.
The final agreement is due to be published online and presented in Parliament on Thursday.
