EU market access requirements By Ivar Foss Ivar Foss Quality Management AS, Norway

EU market access requirements European law Rules and regulations European standards for traded products International standards Buyers’ purchase requirements Other non-tariff measures …..

Two categories of requriements 1. EU buyers require compliance with EU and national laws and egulations –CBI terminology: Legislation 2. EU buyers possibly request additional requirements, beyond what is required by EU law –CBI terminology: Non-legislation –UN ECE terminology: Private Standards

Black Box Purchase requirements: -Quality -Product safety -Social -Environmental Consumers NGOs Governments Media Company policy Legislative compliance: - Consumer health and safety - Environment Public pressure: - Replace dangerous chemicals - Brands: responsibility for the supply chain Report bad circumstances: - Social - Environmental Expect: - Safe products - Good circumstances Company values

EU buyer Supply chain management Exporter Supplier EU consumer Consumers Governments NGOs Media Requirements Expectations Supplier Requirements

CBI classification of market access requirements Exporters need to take into account for successful export to the EU: Consumer health & safety Social responsibility Product quality The environment Products, processes and conformity assessment Market access requirements

Quality issues Textile labelling Footwear labelling Quality standards fruit Certification

Consumer health and safety product labels requirements on dangerous substances beyond legislation management systems

Environmental issues use of raw materials and natural resources use of chemicals waste management management system, eco label, organic labelmanagement systemeco labelorganic label

Social issues labour conditions & ILO Conventions management systems product labels codes of conduct

Labels Communication tool: Business to business or consumer oriented Mainly niche markets Compliance is monitored by a competent body A fee is paid to carry the label

Example: H&M

Example: EICC

Growing number of requirements EU legislation Private sector involvement Business ethics Social responsibility Corporate image Stakeholders demand Media coverage Consumer awareness

More stringent requirements – why? Life-cycle approach (design - waste disposal) Traceability through the entire product chain Zero-tolerance for risks and recalls Accumulating scientific evidence Better testing equipment More procedures (compliance, testing, certification) Certification only by accredited bodies Private sector fills ‘gaps’ of legislation Process requirements included

Increased attention to product safety Nutricia baby food Growth hormones meat BSE Foot and Mouth disease Birds flue Dioxin in chicken, animal feed Salmonella in chicken Shigella bacteria in shrimps Glycol in Austrian wine Contaminated Nile perch

Damage to your image

Market access denied: No market

EU non-legislation in CBI database Database: Relevant buyer requirements Labels Codes of Conduct Management systems Market impact Links to other websites for more information  EU companies are often prepared to work together with suppliers to reach the desired level

CBI database for market information Through the main menu of the CBI homepage : or directly through:

Scope of the database Market access requirements Market surveys Marketing guidelines and manuals 37 sectors EU and 27 Member States + Norway Focus on analysis Many relevant links to other websites Helpdesk for questions

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