EU Government Notices for July 5-9
The European Union issued the following trade-related releases July 5-9 (notices of most significance will be given separate headlines):
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- First EU dispute with Russia. The WTO saw the first request for consultations with Russia from the EU July 9. The issue at hand is Russia's 'recycling fee' on certain vehicles, which EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht says, "is incompatible with the WTO's most basic rule prohibiting discrimination against and among imports.” Russia introduced the fee on September 1, 2012, just days after joining the WTO. The fee is imposed on all imports from the EU, but vehicles produced in Russia or imported from Kazakhstan and Belarus are exempted. Consultations are the first step in dispute resolution before litigation. The parties have 60 days to come to an agreement before the EU can request a panel inquiry. (here)
- TTIP negotiations. The first round of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations began on July 8, 2013. Topics discussed included investment, government procurement, cross-border services, textiles, rules of origin, energy and raw materials, and legal issues. The negotiating groups on labor and environment will be holding a joint session. (here)
- Public consultations. The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) is inviting those concerned to comment on two proposals regarding the harmonized classification and labeling (CLH) of various substances used primarily in cleaning agents, scented products, and fragrances in one case and chemicals used in pesticides, in the other. Neither of the substances have harmonized entries at this time. The public consultation will be open for 45 days and will end on August 16, 2013. (here)