Brussels, 10/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission, acting on behalf of the European Community will shortly open negotiations with the United States on an agreement on consumer product safety cooperation and information exchange. On Tuesday 10 November, the EU Council gave the Commission authorisation to begin talks which will mark a new stage in the transatlantic partnership. Negotiations are expected to begin very soon, in the hope that agreement can be reached in 2010.
“The European Commission wants to ensure that products on the European market are safe for consumers. Growing international trade and global product supply chains mean that ensuring a high level of consumer product safety is a global concern. As many products are marketed on both sides of the Atlantic, an agreement on cooperation and information exchange between the European Community and the United States of America would contribute to ensure safer consumer markets,” said European Commissioner for Consumer Protection Meglena Kuneva.
The EU and the United States aim to establish regular dialogue and co-operation on issues of common interest and formalise the already ongoing informal dialogue with the US authorities. Both parties hope, too, to provide better protection for consumers both in the European Union and the United States of America. (A.N./transl.rt)