Brussels, 31/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 29 July, the European Commission's DG Trade published the state of play in the free-trade negotiations (TTIP) between the EU and USA after six rounds of talks - the last of these being concluded on 18 July. EUROPE today returns to the progress in discussions on regulatory convergence in nine key industrial sectors.
For each sector, the objective is to put an end to the needless duplication of product tests or factory inspections, to recognise each side's existing regulations and bring them closer together, and to harmonise the respective procedures for new product approval or registration.
As regards textiles, the two parties continued the technical discussions on areas of common interest - such as labelling provisions, requirements for consumer safety and textile standards.
For chemicals, the negotiators progressed on the exchange of information on procedures, processes and criteria for the potential areas of cooperation, and discussion has now moved onto how to put this into practice. The two parties will test their initial ideas in two pilot projects covering prioritisation of chemicals for assessment, as well as classification of labelling, while fully respecting existing procedures on either side.
For pharmaceuticals, the parties discussed how to reach a better understanding of their respective systems. Discussions focused in particular on good manufacturing practices (GMP) and biosimilars. Technical work will be stepped up in order to examine the scope for mutual trust or recognition of each other's inspections of manufacturing facilities.
For cosmetics, the discussions have so far focused on processes for regulating cosmetics ingredients (UV filters and colourings), labelling provisions, cosmetics standards and guidelines, and alternatives to animal testing. Discussions helped to clarify the respective positions further and gave impetus for increased technical collaboration and scientific exchanges in areas of common interest.
As regards medical devices, the discussions have so far covered unique device identification (UDI), product certification application and the medical device single audit programme (MDSAP). They have helped to clarify the respective positions and to gain a better understanding of the regulatory systems of each.
For automotive, the two sides have begun discussions on the key elements, particularly their respective regulatory systems, the scope and approach for equivalency recognition and the harmonisation of various existing technical regulations, and reinforced cooperation within international bodies, along the lines of the EEC-UN agreement of 1998 on global technical regulations applicable to motor vehicles. The two sides have exchanged data which could be relevant for the creation of an assessment and equivalence method for technical regulations on vehicle safety.
On ICT, the parties are continuing their talks on the key concepts, ahead of in-depth discussions on e-health, encryption, e-accessibility, implementation and e-labelling.
For engineering, the parties have exchanged views on the EU's position on the engineering industries and will undertake further discussions on a number of sub-sectors, particularly those relating to industrial and electronic machinery.
Lastly, the parties have held in-depth exchanges on possible areas of cooperation in the field of pesticides. (EH)