Check here for information on our latest news and events.
Latest Events:
The EU's Environmental Directives Seminar
9 September 2008
Washington, DC
Are you prepared for the European Union's environmental
directives? Don't miss this opportunity to learn about important
updates on the REACH, EuP, and RoHS Directives. This
half-day seminar on September 9th features presenters from the
UK's Department for Business, Enterprise, and Regulatory Reform;
the Delegation of the European Commission to the US; and the
private sector. For more information and/or to register,
please contact: Robert_Straetz@ita.doc.gov
or via tel: 202-482-4496 prior to 29 August.
International Conference Series: Selling to the EU
12 September 2008
Loveland, Ohio
How can your business benefit from the weak dollar? What
regulatory considerations must you make before exporting to
Europe? And what resources are available to you? Find the answers
to these and all of your other questions about expanding your
business reach into Europe at the International Conference Series
Event “Selling to the Eurpopean Union” at The Oasis in Loveland,
OH. The conference begins with breakfast at 7:30am and lasts
until 2:00pm that afternoon.
Visit the conference website to learn more and to
register for this event.
RFID Symposium and Related Events
22-23 September 2008
Washington, DC
Three related transatlantic RFID events will be held in
Washington, DC on September 22nd and September 23rd, 2008.
1. U.S. - EU RFID Symposium, September 22nd: Sponsored by TABD and EABC, this one-day event will feature discussions about the societal benefits and challenges of RFID and their policy implications. This event is by invitation by the sponsors.
2. U.S. - EU RFID Privacy Seminar, September 23rd: Hosted by the Federal Trade Commission, this half-day event will examine some of the privacy aspects of RFID technology, and their policy implications.
3. U.S. - EU RFID Matchmaking Event, September 23rd: This event has been canceled.
For more details on how to participate in each of these events, email: Chris.Sherwood@mail.doc.gov
Privacy Conference ("Conference on International Transfers of
Personal Data")
21 October 2008
Brussels, Belgium
On October 21, 2008, the European Commission will host a Workshop
on International Transfers of Personal Data jointly with the
Article 29 Working Party on Data Protection – the independent
advisory body on data protection and privacy – and the United
States Department of Commerce’s International Trade
Administration. EU rules in this area have a very
significant impact on many U.S. companies. Full details and
registration information can be found at: http://export.gov/safeharbor/SH_News_Events.asp
Latest News:
Units of Measurement/Metrology: In September 2007, the European Parliament adopted the Commission’s proposed amendment to the units of measurement directive 80/181/EC without changes. Since the Council required some changes, it was necessary to reach a political compromise, which was accomplished in June 2008. The text of the compromise does not change the proposed article about extending the deadline indefinitely, thus allowing the use of supplementary units of measurement. A new paragraph was added requesting the Commission to monitor the situation and report by December 31, 2019. For more information: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st10/st10982.en08.pdf or contact Louis.Santamaria@mail.doc.gov
Update on Energy Using Products: Since the adoption of the Framework Directive on Energy Using Products in 2005, consultants made good progress drafting reports about ways to improve energy efficiency of a broad range of consumer products. Using the reports as guidance and relying on input from industry and Member States, the Commission was able to develop the first draft implementing measure on standby and off-mode losses. The text will go through the legislative process “with scrunity” by the European Parliament beginning September 2008. In the meantime, two more implementing measures are in the pipeline and should be released as drafts by the end of September: lighting and simple set top boxes. In addition, the Commission is recasting the framework directive in order to broaden the scope to cover energy related products. For more information http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/eco_design_en.htm or sylvia.mohr@mail.doc.gov
Market Research Report on EU Automotive Framework Directive: The market research report covers regulatory requirements applicable to cars and car components to be exported to the European Union (EU) based on the new Motor Vehicle Framework Directive 2007/46/EC (MVFD). The recently adopted MVFD takes an important step towards further regulatory harmonization and broadens the scope of existing legislation, extending approval requirements to nearly all road vehicles. Its changes do not immediately enter into force; instead, a phased-in enforcement period exists, stretching from April 2009 to October 2014 depending on the category of vehicle in question. In the meantime, existing directive 70/156/EEC and amendments remain in force. For information http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/directives/vehicles/2007_46_ce.html or sylvia.mohr@mail.doc.gov
New Construction Products Regulation: In May, the EU released the draft construction products regulation which is meant to simplify and streamline existing requirements. The proposed draft does not fundamentally change compliance procedures. It is still about testing performance of construction products based on the mandatory use of EN standards or European Assessment Documents but gives small and non-series manufacturers a lighter option for conformity testing. The text is now in first reading. The proposed entry into force date is 2011 but that may slip because a new European Parliament will be elected in 2009. In the meantime, the existing directive 89/106/EC will remain in force. For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/construction/index_en.htm or Louis.Santamaria@mail.doc.gov , Sylvia.Mohr@mail.doc.gov
EC Proposes to Revise the Regulation on Ozone-Depleting Substances: On August 1, the European Commission presented a proposal to revise the current legislation on the protection of the ozone layer. This is to simplify the legislation in force and reflect the progress made in phasing out ozone-depleting substances in the EU. The ozone layer is expected to recover to pre-1990 levels by 2050-2075. More on Ozone layer protection is available here. Susana.Getman@mail.doc.gov
Updated Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Dangerous Chemicals: On 31 July, the EC published Regulation (EC) No. 689/2008, seeking: (1) implementation of the Rotterdam Convention’s Prior Informed Consent Procedure; (2) responsible and cooperative movement of hazardous chemicals, and (3) environmentally sound use. The Regulation enters into force 1 August, and Member States must specify which authority will carry out the administrative functions by 1 November 2008. Robert.Wilson@mail.doc.gov, Flavie.Guerin@mail.doc.gov.
New REACH Guidance Sheets published 30 July 2008. Four new
guidance documents are now available at the ECHA website. The new documents concern
Registration, Data Sharing, Information Requirements & Chemical Safety
Assessments, and Exposure Building Scenarios.
US Mission to the EU New Ambassador: Ambassador
Kristen Silverberg has arrived in Brussels and has assumed charge
of USEU. CSEU will brief the new Ambassador on July 25th on
key commercial issues. Susana.Getman@mail.doc.gov
Warnings on Food Colorings: The European Parliament
adopted a legislative package requiring labels of health warnings
for children on food products containing any of six artificial
colors. Manufacturers have 18 months to comply once the law is
published in the next few weeks. Some companies such as Cadbury
and Nestle have already agreed to remove all these colorings
while others will have to choose between reformulating products
or carrying the possibly ‘negative’ labels. Jennifer.kane@mail.doc.gov
No agreement on the treatment of imported cosmetic ingredients: The Commission and ECHA presented to the Member States, in a closed session, their proposal for addressing the issue of substances that are not listed on EINECs but are lawfully on the market as part of imported finished cosmetic products under the cosmetics directive. No agreement was reached. An information note will be sent to Member States for their further consideration. In the meantime, companies are advised to proceed with substance identification and the inquiry process. Flavie.Guerin@mail.doc.gov
"D-Day" for REACH: On June 1st, pre-registration and registration started under REACH, and pre-registration lasts until December 1st. Over 2,500 substances have already been pre-registered. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) officially opened on June 3rd, and while the IT system is not yet fully functional, temporary measures have been put in place to receive data from industry. New Guidance on substances in Articles, on Only Representatives, and chemical safety reports have been posted on the ECHA website. For more information on REACH, check the CSEU REACH web page. Flavie.guerin@mail.doc.gov
Review of Emissions of Non-Road Mobile Machinery: The Joint Research Center published its draft report reviewing emissions. This document lists options for the Commission to review the existing directive. Sylvia.Mohr@mail.doc.gov
“Export Helpdesk” for developing countries: The European Union website allows a search for standards/regulations by product customs code. Since standards/regulations are the same for all exporters – developed and developing – it could be a good start for further research. http://exporthelp.europa.eu/, Sylvia.Mohr@mail.doc.gov