You say:
That indeed will be the challenge, for neither the Media nor your government - regardless of whether that government is Tory or Labour - has ANY interest in giving a true picture.

From the article:
If the UK ever did decide what it wants it could be to the benefit of many sides other than ourselves. Norway, Lichtenstein and Luxembourg in the EEA would have a strong ally defending the principles of the single market without the political baggage of ever greater integration. If other nations followed the UK from the EU to the EEA that would further strengthen that position. It would get the UK out of the way of consolidating the Eurozone financially and politically. It would also perhaps put to bed the issue of a european army.(The US would or wouldn't appreciate that?) Our forces could be refocused on defence of the UK and our NATO obligations without being distracted by a need to consider a force that is a fantasy. Our betters would also be able to abandon the carbon emissions targets without having to admit they were irresponsible in signing up to them...

Though, if it appears too good to be true it probably is.

I'm planning on revamping the sidebar over Christmas and New Year.

But how far do these regulations apply to domestic law and trade outside the EU and EEA?
Should a company not exporting to either (or anywhere else for that matter) be subject to (say) the working time directive?

The problem is that in one factory or workshop, it is very difficult to apply different rules to the same process. In manufacturing plants, you either have uniform rules, reflecting the most severe set to which the process has to conform, or there are areas set up in larger factories, where different rules apply. Sometimes, one sees plants run on different days to different rules.

Hence - and especially for larger businesses - there is pressure to generate standard, global rules. The EU in this context is too small and geographically limited to be able to define such rules and is increasingly becoming a middle-man implementing globally-agreed rules.

The problem is then that the exporting and multi-national firms (whose national operations may not export) want to see domestic producers conform with the same set of rules which they apply - hence there is pressure also to harmonise domestic law as well.

Possibly for being drunk in charge of a keyboard?

It was the 90% or whatever of our economy that does not import or export anything that I had in mind.
Hairdressers, dentists, your newsagent, even hospitals. Companies that export to say Brazil need to no doubt have the product details printed in Portuguese but they should not be required to have all their products’ details in that language by law. Hairdressers should not be required to conform to Japanese or EU working rules.
The Single Market is just another market and one we have a £4 billion or so monthly deficit with.

Perhaps I have given the wrong impression, Humour is in the eye of the beholder, I would remind those who throw stones that often the blind lead the blind !

Stop there! Quit while you're ahead!

Sorry no offense meant just Richard's reply made me laugh.. your joke got lost in translation....I will be delighted to read whatever you post in future,so please accept my apology for any hurt caused.