The European Union is preparing to offer the UK a trade deal on tougher terms than its deals with Canada, Japan and a host of other leading trade partners, The Telegraph has learned.

In what will be seen by industry as an unusually harsh move, the European Commission has warned EU member states that it would be a mistake to allow some UK industry bodies to be allowed to certify that goods conform to EU standards.

The so-called Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) are granted to other key EU trade partners to facilitate the smooth movement of goods in key sectors, but could be withheld from the UK if it only seeks a basic trade deal.

The uncompromising European Commission stance surprised even some EU members states when they met on January 10 to discuss future goods trade with the UK, according to an account of the meeting obtained by The Telegraph.

Two senior EU sources separately confirmed the European Commission’s approach, which risks hitting the medicine and car industries hardest.