EU-US SUMMIT
Queluz, Portugal
May 31, 2000
Report of the Transatlantic Economic Partnership Steering Group
To the Meeting of Trade and Economic Ministers
At the EU-US Summit, Lisbon, 31 May 2000
The Transatlantic Economic Partnership (TEP) Steering
Group met on 15 March and 8 May 2000. The next meeting is scheduled
for the end of June.
1.
Achievements for the 1st semester 2000
1.1.
The Steering Group saw progress being made on negotiation of a
mutual recognition agreement (MRA) on marine safety equipment and in the
area of calibration. Texts have been exchanged on guidelines for regulatory
cooperation, allowing both sides to identify and narrow remaining differences.
Both sides agreed to continue consideration of further regulatory cooperation
in the area of road safety equipment. Further regulatory cooperation was
also discussed in the areas of cosmetics, lifts (elevators) and telecommunications
equipment. A joint statement on lifts (elevators) has been agreed and
is attached as Annex 1.
1.2.
The first session on mutual recognition in the areas of services
was recognised on both sides as a positive step. Elements of a work plan
have been identified for professional services (Annex 2).
1.3.
Discussions have continued in the other areas identified in the
TEP Action Plan: intellectual property rights, environment, labour, procurement,
food safety, biotechnology and competition.
1.4.
The Steering Group discussed a number of items under the Early
Warning mechanism established by the June 1999 EU-US summit.
1.5.
In the course of its discussions, the Steering Group has found
the use of videoconferences to be an efficient way to conduct business
and will endeavor to make maximum use of this communication tool in the
future.
2.
Priorities for the 2nd semester 2000
2.1.
The Steering Group will undertake the work necessary to focus the
TEP on activity that can produce substantial results in a cost-effective
manner. Similarly, both sides will work together to strengthen and increase
the efficiency of the Early Warning mechanism, in particular in respect
of issues previously raised.
2.2.
On specific issues identified under the TEP Action Plan, the Steering
Group agrees that concluding the MRA on marine safety equipment and work
in the area of calibration as well as the guidelines on regulatory cooperation
by the December EU-US summit should be our first priority in the area
of technical barriers to trade. To meet this objective, we will need to
clarify the scope of the envisaged agreements as well as the treatment
of transparency in the guidelines. Progress should continue in the discussions
concerning mutual recognition on services and as the next step, we are
working on completing a work plan on insurance. The Steering Group acknowledges
that there is still substantial work ahead on issues of both substance
and of implementation of any possible agreements in the sectoral areas
currently under discussion (architects, engineers, insurance). In addition,
both sides should seek further progress in the other areas mentioned under
the Action Plan, including on the pilot project and other issues in the
Biotech working group.
2.3.
The Steering Group will also explore new areas for mutual recognition
and regulatory cooperation and will call on the various transatlantic
dialogues to make concrete proposals in this respect. The contribution
of the dialogues to the early warning mechanism has also been extremely
useful and should continue to be encouraged.
Annex 1
Statement on Regulatory Cooperation in the Area of Lifts (Elevators)
In view of promoting a high level of safety
for lifts (elevators) and related safety components and facilitating transatlantic
trade and market access for such products, the EU and the US agreed
to explore regulatory cooperation and dialogue and in particular to:
·
Continue the TEP cooperation and discussions on lifts (elevators),
·
Continue to exchange information in order to learn about each others
regulatory systems,
·
Support the ISO/TC 178 Global Harmonization project,
·
Work together with a view to implement the results of the Global
Harmonization project, in an as harmonized way as possible, in their respective
systems,
·
Examine the possibility of further regulatory cooperation and alignment,
and
·
Expand the dialogue, as needed, to ensure appropriate public and
private sector participation.
Annex 2
Agreed Report of the TEP Meeting
On Architecture and Engineering
On April 26-27, 2000, the United States
and the European Union held the first meeting of architects and engineers
under the Transatlantic Economic Partnership (TEP) discussions. In addition
to US and EU government representatives, delegations included representatives
of regulatory bodies from Member States and national organizations representing
both professions.
Both sides expressed commitment to achieve
mutual recognition agreements as a means of improving international mobility
of the professions. The meeting featured presentations on the regulatory
systems for architects and engineers in the US and the EU, and exchange
of information through questions and answers and copies of various documents
and publications.
The delegations began the process of examining
elements for inclusion in a work plan with concrete steps to reach mutual
recognition and the timing that may be necessary to reach mutual recognition.
Six elements were identified to form part of the work plan: (1) respect
of each others' regulatory systems; (2) determining equivalence of education;
(3) determining equivalence of qualifications other than education; (4)
notification to the World Trade Organization of the intent to negotiate
mutual recognition; (5) scope of practice (particularly for engineers);
and (6) implementation of agreements.
Separate informal discussions were held
by architects and engineers as sub-groups. Each sub-group clarified pending
questions, discussed the elements of an agreement and expressed preliminary
views. The EU and US professions will communicate among themselves and
across professional lines. The architectural associations agreed to correspond
on three specific issues during July 2000. The engineering associations
agreed to continue exchanging information on the respective regulatory
systems in the coming months. The discussions by the professions will
aim to provide input into the TEP negotiations. The official contact point
in the EU for both professions will be the European Commission; and in
the United States, the Office of the US Trade Representative.
The US and EU agreed to continue working
toward means of getting the two systems to work together. For follow-up
work, the delegations established single points of contact for each profession
to continue the exchange of information, and agreed to have frequent contact
through telephone conference calls with dates to be established at least
three weeks in advance of each call. A decision is to be made on the date
of the next physical (face-to-face) meeting, probably to be held in Brussels.
