CHAPTER 5: TRADE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
- Import Tariffs
- Trade Barriers
- Import Requirements and Documentation
- U.S. Export Controls
- Temporary Entry
- Labeling and Marking Requirements
- Prohibited and Restricted Imports
- Customs Regulations and Contact Information
- Standards
- Trade Agreements
- Web Resources
Import Tariffs
Customs duty rates are the same for all EU countries. The value added tax varies from country to country. In Italy VAT ranges from 4 to 20 percent.
Trade Barriers
For information on existing trade barriers, please see the
National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers,
published by USTR and available through the following website:
http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Reports_Publications/2007/2007_NTE_Report/Section_Index.html?ht=
.
Information on agricultural trade barriers can be found at the
following website: http://www.useu.usmission.gov/agri/usda.html.
To report existing or new trade barriers and get assistance in
removing them, contact either the Trade Compliance Center at
http://www.trade.gov/tcc or the U.S. Mission to
the European Union at http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion.
Import requirements and Regulamentation
The Integrated Tariff of the Community, referred to as TARIC (Tarif Intégré de la Communauté), is designed to show various rules applying to specific products being imported into the customs territory of the EU or, in some cases, when exported from it. To determine if a license is required for a particular product, check the TARIC.
The TARIC can be searched by country of origin, Harmonized System (HS) Code, and product description on the interactive website of the Directorate-General for Taxation and the Customs Union. The online TARIC is updated daily. Many EU Member States maintain their own list of goods subject to import licensing. For example, Germany's "Import List" (Einfuhrliste) includes goods for which licenses are required, their code numbers, any applicable restrictions, and the agency that will issue the relevant license. The Import List also indicates whether the license is required under German or EU law. For information relevant to Member State import licenses, please consult the relevant Member State Country Commercial Guide.
Key Link: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/databases/taric/index_en.htm
Import Documentation
Non-agricultural Documentation
The official model for written declarations to customs is the Single Administrative Document (SAD). European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries including Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein also use the SAD. However, other forms may be used for this purpose. Information on import/export forms is contained in Title VII, of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2454/93, which lays down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (Articles 205 through 221). Articles 222 through 224 provide for computerized customs declarations and Articles 225 through 229 provide for oral declarations.
Additional information on import/export documentation can be found in Title III, of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2913/92 of October 12, 1992, establishing the Community Customs Code (Articles 37 through 57). Goods brought into the customs territory of the Community are, from the time of their entry, subject to customs supervision until customs formalities are completed.
Goods presented to customs are covered by a summary declaration, which is lodged once the goods have been presented to customs. The customs authorities may, however, allow a period for lodging the declaration, which cannot be extended beyond the first working day following the day on which the goods are presented to customs. The summary declaration can be made on a form corresponding to the model prescribed by the customs authorities. However, the customs authorities may permit the use, as a summary declaration, of any commercial or official document that contains the particulars necessary for identification of the goods. It is encouraged that the summary declaration be made in computerized form.
The summary declaration is to be lodged by:
- the person who brought the goods into the customs territory of the Community or by any person who assumes responsibility for carriage of the goods following such entry; or
- the person in whose name the person referred to above acted.
Non-EU goods presented to customs must be assigned a customs-approved treatment or use authorized for such non-Community goods. Where goods are covered by a summary declaration, the formalities for them to be assigned a customs-approved treatment or use must be carried out:
- 45 days from the date on which the summary declaration is lodged in the case of goods carried by sea;
- 20 days from the date on which the summary declaration is lodged in the case of goods carried other than by sea.
Where circumstances so warrant, the customs authorities may set a shorter period or authorize an extension of the period.
The Modernized Customs Code (MCC) of the European Union is expected to be passed into law in the first half of 2008. The MCC will replace the existing Regulation 2913/92 and simplify various procedures such as introducing a paperless environment, centralized clearance, and more. Check the EU’s Customs website periodically for updates: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/procedural_aspects/general/community_code/index_en.htm.
Batteries
EU battery rules changed in September 2006 following the publication of the Directive on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators (Directive 2006/66). This Directive replaces the original Battery Directive of 1991 (Directive 91/157). The updated Directive applies to all batteries and accumulators put on the EU market including automotive, industrial and portable batteries. It aims to protect the environment by restricting the sale of batteries and accumulators that contain mercury or cadmium (with an exemption for emergency and alarm systems, medical equipment and cordless power tools) and by promoting a high level of collection and recycling. It places the responsibility on producers to finance the costs associated with the collection, treatment, and recycling of used batteries and accumulators. The Directive also includes provisions on the labeling of batteries and their removability from equipment. EU Member States must implement the EU Directive into their national law by September 26, 2008. For more information, see our market research report: http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_8086174.pdf
REACH
REACH is a major reform of EU chemicals policy that was adopted in December 2006 and became national law in the 27 EU Member States in June 2007. Virtually every industrial sector, from automobiles to textiles, could be affected by the new policy. REACH stands for the "Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals." As of June 1 2008, REACH will require all chemicals produced or imported into the EU in volumes above 1 ton per year to be registered with a central European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), including information on their properties, uses and safe ways of handling them. Most chemicals currently imported into the EU are eligible for pre-registration which provides ECHA with basic information on the substance and allows the continued imports until a later registration deadline. ECHA will accept pre-registrations from 1 June 2008 until 1 December 2008. US companies should take advantage of the pre-registration period if possible. The full registration period for chemicals which are pre-registered ranges from three to eleven years depending on the volume of the substance and its hazard properties. Substances not pre-registered must be registered to stay on the market. Chemicals of very high concern, like carcinogens, will need an authorization for use in the EU. U.S. exporters to Europe should carefully consider this piece of EU environmental legislation. Substances on that list are subject to communication requirements and may at a later stage require Authorization for the EU market. For more information, see the ECHA website: http://echa.europa.eu/doc/press/pr_08_38_candidate_list_20081028.pdf
WEEE & RoHS
EU rules on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), while not requiring specific customs or import paperwork, may entail a financial obligation for U.S. exporters. They require U.S. exporters to register the products with a national WEEE authority, or arrange for this to be done by a local partner. Similarly, related rules for EEE restricting the use of the hazardous substances (RoHS) lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBBs, and PBDEs, do not entail customs or importation paperwork. However, U.S. exporters may be asked by a European RoHS enforcement authority or by a customer to provide evidence of due diligence in compliance with the substance bans on a case-by-case basis. U.S. exporters seeking more information on WEEE and RoHS regulations should visit: http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/weee.html
Agricultural Documentation
Phytosanitary Certificates: Phytosanitary certificates are required for most fresh fruits, vegetables, and other plant materials.
Sanitary Certificates: For commodities composed of animal
products or by-products, EU countries require that shipments be
accompanied by a certificate issued by the competent authority of
the exporting country. This applies regardless of whether the
product is for human consumption, for pharmaceutical use, or
strictly for non-human use (e.g., veterinary biologicals, animal
feeds, fertilizers, research). Many of these certificates are
uniform throughout the EU, but the harmonization process has not
been finalized yet. During this transition period, certain Member
State import requirements continue to apply. In addition to the
legally required EU health certificates, a number of other
certificates are used in international trade. These certificates,
which may also be harmonized in EU legislation, certify origin
for customs purposes and certain quality attributes.
Up-to-date information on harmonized import requirements can be
found at the following website: http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/certificates-overview.html.
Sanitary Certificates (Fisheries): In April 2006, the European
Union declared the U.S. seafood inspection system as equivalent
to the European one. Consequently, a specific public health
certificate must accompany U.S. seafood shipments. Commission
Decision 2006/199/EC places specific conditions on imports of
fishery products from the U.S. Sanitary certificates for
live shellfish are covered by Commission Regulation (EC)
1664/2006 and must be used for gastropods, bivalve mollusks,
tunicates and echinoderms. The two competent Authorities
for issuing sanitary certificates are the FDA and the U.S.
Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS/NOAA/USDC).
Since May 1, 2007, with the implementation of the second Hygiene Package, aquaculture products coming from the United States must be accompanied by a public health certificate according to Commission Decision 2006/199/EC and the animal health attestation included in the new fishery products certificate covered by Regulation (EC) 1664/2006. This animal health attestation is not required in the case of live bivalve mollusks intended for immediate human consumption (retail).
For detailed information on import documentation for seafood, please contact the NOAA Fisheries office at the U.S. Mission to the EU (stephane.vrignaud@mail.doc.gov ) or visit the following FDA dedicated web site: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/.
U.S. Export Controls
For controlled items needing licenses, contact the Export Administration http://www.bis.doc.gov
Temporary Entry
Material may temporarily be imported into Italy without payment of duties or tax if the material is to be used in the production or manufacture of a product that is to be exported. The importer gives a security deposit, usually in the form of a guarantee from a bank or insurance company, for the amount of the usual duties and taxes. Upon exportation of the finished product, the guarantee is released or the deposit returned. Temporary entry of goods intended to be re-exported in the same condition is permissible free of import duties and taxes upon approval of an application by Italian Customs. Italy participates in the International Convention to Facilitate the Importation of Commercial Samples and Advertising Materials. Samples of negligible value imported to promote sales are accorded duty-free and tax-free treatment. Prior authorization is not required. To determine whether the samples are of negligible value, their value is compared with a commercial shipment of the same product. Granting of duty-free status may require that the samples be rendered useless for future sale by marking, perforating, cutting, or other means.
Imported samples of commercial value may be granted a temporary entry with exemption from custom charges. However, a bond or cash deposit may be required as security that the goods will be removed from the country. This security is the duty and tax normally levied plus 10 percent. Samples may remain in the country for up to 1 year. They may not be sold, put to their normal use (except for demonstration purposes), or utilized in any manner for remuneration. Goods imported as samples may be imported only in quantities constituting a sample according to normal commercial usage. Samples of products, without commercial value, are admitted free of duty and taxes. Product literature should be marked "product literature - no commercial value". Samples with commercial value are also admitted duty and tax free, provided that the following conditions are complied with:
(a) The samples are accompanied by a representative of the U.S. firm with a statement, notarized by an Italian Consulate, identifying the commercial traveler and attesting to the intention that the samples are being imported into Italy only for show or demonstration, and will be re-exported without sale.
(b) A certificate of origin from a recognized chamber of commerce is submitted to identify the source of the goods.
(c) A deposit or bond, in the amount of the applicable customs duties and taxes, is made at the point of entry. This will be refunded when the goods are re-exported.
(d) A list (in duplicate) with a full description of each sample, including weight and value, is submitted. It is helpful to have such a list in Italian.
In practice, samples valued in excess of 2,582 Euro ($3,380) are practically impossible to clear through Italian customs informally. In such cases, it is advisable to engage the services of a local freight forwarder.
As a result of various customs agreements, simplified procedures are available to U.S. business and professional people for the temporary importation of commercial samples and professional equipment. A carnet is a customs document that facilitates clearance for temporary imports of samples or equipment. With a carnet, goods may be imported without the payment of duty, tax, or additional security. The carnet also usually saves time since formalities are all arranged before leaving the United States. A carnet is usually valid for 1 year from the date of issuance. A bond or cash deposit of 40 percent of the value of the goods covered by the carnet is required, in addition to the price of the carnet. This will be forfeited in the event the products are not re-exported and duties and taxes are not paid.
Carnets are sold in the United States by the U.S. Council for International Business at the following locations:
- 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, (212) 354-4480; or 1030 15th Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 371-1316, email at info@uscib.org .
- Website: www.uscib.org
Goods in Transit
Goods may clear customs with an EU transit procedure, issuing a single transit document under which the goods may be easily shipped across frontiers of the EU member states. These transit documents are completed for the importer by freight forwarders in Italy. The EU transit document provides the basis for a single, comprehensive procedure covering the goods within the EU. Since the single transit document is an EU form, the European importer, customs house broker, freight forwarder, or shipper must prepare the document at the point of entry.
Inward and Outward Processing
Inward processing is the temporary importation of raw material or products for additional manufacture or processing. Merchandise imported for additional processing and eventual re-export out of the EU is eligible for custom-free treatment.
The re-exported goods may be partly or totally processed. The import duty and taxes are levied only on those goods that are not re-exported and are finally sold in the EU.
To qualify for inward processing, an Italian (or EU) firm must satisfy customs that it is necessary to use imported goods instead of EU goods; state an intention to export products manufactured from the imported goods (or equivalent goods available in the EU); and assure that, upon re-exportation, the conditions set forth in the authorization are satisfied, the exported products are accounted for, and the entered goods are identifiable and relate to specific importations.
In outward processing, a firm in Italy may export goods, for further manufacture or processing, from the EU customs area and then re-import the final product. Duties and taxes are levied only on the increased value added by the expatriate manufacturing or processing when the goods are returned to Italy, not on the total value of the product. Only firms located in Italy or other EU countries are eligible to take advantage of this option, by gaining approval of the Customs authorities.
Labelling and Marking Requirements
An overview of EU mandatory and voluntary labeling and marking
requirements has been compiled in a market research report that
is available at: http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_4171929.pdf.
The subject has been also been covered in the section about
standards (see below).
Prohibited and Restricted Imports
The Italian importer should determine if the items are subject to Italian and EU regulations. Of special note are certain foodstuffs, food colorings, drug and narcotics, animal products, plants, seed grains, alcohol, cosmetics and toiletries.
The TARIC is designed to show various rules applying to specific products being imported into the customs territory of the EU or, in some cases, when exported from it. To determine if a product is prohibited or subject to restriction, check the TARIC for that product for the following codes:
CITES Convention on
International Trade of Endangered Species
PROHI Import
Suspension
RSTR Import
Restriction
For information on how to access the TARIC, see the Import Requirements and Documentation Section above.
Key Link: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/databases/taric/index_en.htm
Standards
- Overview
- Standards Organizations
- Conformity Assessment
- Product Certification
- Accreditation
- Publication of Technical Regulations
- Labeling and Marking
- Contacts
Overview
Products tested and certified in the United States to American standards are likely to have to be retested and re-certified to EU requirements as a result of the EU’s different approach to the protection of the health and safety of consumers and the environment. Where products are not regulated by specific EU technical legislation, they are always subject to the EU’s General Product Safety Directive as well as to possible additional national requirements. European Union standards created under the New Approach are harmonized across the 27 EU Member States and European Economic Area countries to allow for the free flow of goods. A feature of the New Approach is CE marking. While harmonization of EU legislation can facilitate access to the EU Single Market, manufacturers should be aware that Regulations and technical standards might also function as barriers to trade if U.S. standards are different from those of the European Union.
The European Union is currently undertaking a major revision of the New Approach that will enhance some aspects, especially in the areas of market surveillance. To follow the revision, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/regulation/internal_market_package/index_en.htm
Agricultural Standards
The establishment of harmonized EU rules and standards in the food sector has been ongoing for several decades, but it took until January 2002 for the publication of a general food law establishing the general principles of EU food law. This Regulation introduced mandatory traceability throughout the feed and food chain as of Jan 1, 2005. For specific information on agricultural standards, please refer to the Foreign Agricultural Service’s website at: http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/.
Standards Organizations
U.S. firms exporting to Italy must conform to EU standards and/or national Italian standards. Italy and other EU Member States are required to transpose EU Directives into national law. The Directives define a schedule for adoption, publication and implementation of national provisions. Directives also recognize a transitional period during which existing national provisions and new legislation will coexist. In such cases, the manufacturer has a choice of following either of these provisions. Similarly, purely national standards must be replaced when agreement has been reached on a harmonized European standard.
NIST Notify U.S. Service
Member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) to report to the WTO all proposed technical regulations that could affect trade with other Member countries. Notify U.S. is a free, web-based e-mail subscription service that offers an opportunity to review and comment on proposed foreign technical regulations that can affect your access to international markets. Register online at Internet URL: http://www.nist.gov/notifyus/
In Italy, the national standards bodies are: b>UNI-Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione (The Italian National Bureau of Standards), via Battistotti Sassi 11b, 20133 Milan, +39 02 70024.1 http://www.uni.com/it/
CEI-Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano (Electrical standards and certification)
EU standards setting is a process based on consensus initiated by industry or mandated by the European Commission and carried out by independent standards bodies, acting at the national, European or international level. There is strong encouragement for non-governmental organizations, such as environmental and consumer groups, to actively participate in European standardization.
Many standards in the EU are adopted from international standards bodies such as the International Standards Organization (ISO). The drafting of specific EU standards is handled by three European standards organizations:
- CENELEC, European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, http://www.cenelec.org/Cenelec/Homepage.htm
- ETSI, European Telecommunications Standards Institute, http://www.etsi.org/
- CEN, European Committee for Standardization, handling all other standards, http://www.cen.eu/cenorm/homepage.htm
Standards are created or modified by experts in Technical Committees or Working Groups. The members of CEN and CENELEC are the national standards bodies of the Member States, which have "mirror committees" that monitor and participate in ongoing European standardization. CEN and CENELEC standards are sold by the individual Member States standards bodies. ETSI is different in that it allows direct participation in its technical committees from non-EU companies that have interests in Europe and gives away its individual standards at no charge on its website. In addition to the three standards developing organizations, the European Commission plays an important role in standardization through its funding of the participation in the standardization process of small- and medium-sized companies and non-governmental organizations, such as environmental and consumer groups. The Commission also provides money to the standards bodies when it mandates standards development to the European Standards Organization for harmonized standards that will be linked to EU technical Regulations. In the last year, the Commission began listing their mandates on line and they can be seen at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/standards_policy/mandates/. All the EU harmonized standards, which provide the basis for CE marking, can be found on http://www.newapproach.org/.
Due to the EU’s vigorous promotion of its regulatory and standards system as well as its generous funding for its business development, the EU’s standards regime is wide and deep - extending well beyond the EU’s political borders to include affiliate members (countries which are hopeful of becoming full members in the future) such as Albania, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, and Turkey. Another category, called "partner standardization bodies" includes the standards organizations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Moldova, Egypt, Serbia, the Russian Federation, Tunisia, the Ukraine, Armenia and Australia, which are not likely to join the EU or CEN any time soon, but have an interest in participating in specific CEN technical committees. They agree to pay a fee for full participation in certain technical committees and agree to implement the committee’s adopted standards as national standards. Many other countries are targets of the EU’s extensive technical assistance program, which is aimed at exporting EU standards and technical Regulations to developing countries, especially in the Mediterranean and Balkan countries, Africa, as well as programs for China and Latin America.
To know what CEN and CENELEC have in the pipeline for future standardization, it is best to visit their websites. CEN’s "business domain" page provides an overview by sector and/or technical committee whereas CENELEC offers the possibility to search its database. ETSI’s portal (http://portal.etsi.org/Portal_Common/home.asp) leads to ongoing activities. With the need to adapt more quickly to market needs, European standards organizations have been looking for "new deliverables" which are standard-like products delivered in a shorter timeframe. While few of these "new deliverables" have been linked to EU Regulations, expectations are that they will eventually serve as the basis for EU-wide standards.
Key Link: http://www.cenorm.be/cenorm/workarea/sectorfora/index.asp.
Conformity Assessment
Conformity Assessment is a mandatory step for the manufacturer in the process of complying with specific EU legislation. The purpose of conformity assessment is to ensure consistency of compliance during all stages of the production process to facilitate acceptance of the final product. EU product legislation gives manufacturers some choice with regard to conformity assessment, depending on the level of risk involved in the use of their product. These range from self-certification, type examination and production quality control system, to full quality assurance system. You can find conformity assessment bodies in individual Member State country in this list by the European Commission.
Key Link: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/
To promote market acceptance of the final product, there are a number of voluntary conformity assessment programs. CEN’s certification systems are the Keymark, the CENCER mark, and the European Standard Agreement Group. CENELEC has its own initiative. ETSI does not offer conformity assessment services.
Product Certification
To sell products on the EU market of 27 Member States as well as Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, U.S. exporters are required to apply CE marking whenever their product is covered by specific product legislation. CE marking product legislation offers manufacturers a number of choices and requires decisions to determine which safety/health concerns need to be addressed, which conformity assessment module is best suited to the manufacturing process, and whether or not to use EU-wide harmonized standards. There is no easy way for U.S. exporters to understand and go through the process of CE marking, but hopefully this section provides some background and clarification.
Products manufactured to standards adopted by CEN, CENELEC and ETSI, and published in the Official Journal as harmonized standards, are presumed to conform to the requirements of EU Directives. The manufacturer then applies the CE marking and issues a declaration of conformity. With these, the product will be allowed to circulate freely within the EU. A manufacturer can choose not to use the harmonized EU standards, but then must demonstrate that the product meets the essential safety and performance requirements. Trade barriers occur when design, rather than performance, standards are developed by the relevant European standardization organization, and when U.S. companies do not have access to the standardization process through a European presence.
The CE marking addresses itself primarily to the national control authorities of the Member States, and its use simplifies the task of essential market surveillance of regulated products. Although CE marking is intended primarily for inspection purposes by Member State inspectors, the consumer may well perceive it as a quality mark.
The CE marking is not intended to include detailed technical information on the product, but there must be enough information to enable the inspector to trace the product back to the manufacturer or the authorized representative established in the EU. This detailed information should not appear next to the CE marking, but rather on the declaration of conformity, the certificate of conformity (which the manufacturer or authorized agent must be able to provide at any time, together with the product's technical file), or the documents accompanying the product.
Accreditation
Independent certification bodies, known as notified bodies, have been officially accredited by competent authorities to test and certify to EU requirements. However, under U.S.-EU Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), notified bodies based in the United States and referred to as conformity assessment bodies, are allowed to test in the United States to EU specifications, and vice versa. The costs are significantly lower which results in U.S. products becoming more competitive. At this time, the U.S.-EU MRAs cover the following sectors: EMC (in force), RTTE (in force), medical devices (in transition), pharmaceutical (on hold), recreational craft (in force) and marine equipment (in force). The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has a link on its website to American and European Conformity Assessment bodies operating under a mutual recognition agreement.
Key Link: http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/mra.cfm
Accreditation is handled at Member State level. "European Accreditation" (http://www.european-accreditation.org/default_flash.htm) is an organization representing nationally recognized accreditation bodies. Membership is open to nationally recognized accreditation bodies in countries in the European geographical area that can demonstrate that they operate an accreditation system compatible with EN45003 or ISO/IEC Guide 58.
Publication of Technical Regulations
The Official Journal is the official gazette of the European Union. It is published daily on the internet and consists of two series covering draft and adopted legislation as well as case law, questions from the European Parliament, studies by committees, and more (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/JOIndex.do?ihmlang=en). It lists the standards reference numbers linked to legislation (http://www.newapproach.org/Directives/DirectiveList.asp). National technical Regulations are published on the Commission’s website http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/tris/ to allow other countries and interested parties to comment.
Member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are required under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement to report to the WTO all proposed technical Regulations that could affect trade with other member countries. Notify U.S. is a free, web-based e-mail subscription service that offers an opportunity to review and comment on proposed foreign technical Regulations that can affect your access to international markets. Register online at Internet URL: http://tsapps.nist.gov/notifyus/data/index/index.cfm
Labeling and Marking
Manufacturers should be mindful that, in addition to the EU’s mandatory and voluntary schemes, national voluntary labeling schemes might still apply. These schemes may be highly appreciated by consumers, and thus, become unavoidable for marketing purposes.
Manufacturers are advised to take note that all labels require metric units although dual labeling is also acceptable until end of December 2009. The use of language on labels has been the subject of a Commission Communication, which encourages multilingual information, while preserving the right of Member States to require the use of language of the country of consumption.
The EU has mandated that certain products be sold in standardized quantities. Council Directive 2007/45/EC, to replace 80/232/EC in April 2009, harmonizes packaging of wine and spirits throughout the EU. Existing national sizes will be abolished with a few exceptions for domestic producers.
Key Link: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/prepack/packsize/packsiz_en.htm
The Eco-label
EU legislation in 1992, revised in 2000, distinguishes environmentally friendly products and services through a voluntary labeling scheme called the Eco-label. Currently, the scheme applies to 7 product groups: cleaning products, appliances, paper products, clothing, lubricants, home and garden products and tourism services. The symbol, a green flower, is a voluntary mark. The Eco-label is awarded to producers who can show that their product is less harmful to the environment than similar products. This “green label” also aims to encourage consumers to buy green products. However, the scheme does not establish ecological standards that all manufacturers are required to meet to place product on the market. Products without the EU Eco-label can still enter the EU as long as they meet the existing health, safety, and environmental standards and Regulations. The EU Eco-label is a costly scheme (up to EUR 1,300 for registration and up to EUR 25,000/year for the use of the label, with a reduction of 25% for SMEs) and has therefore not been widely used so far. However, the Eco-label can be a good marketing tool and, given the growing demand for green products in Europe, it is likely that the Eco-label will become more and more a reference for green consumers.
Key Links: http://buyusainfo.net/docs/x_4284752.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm
Contacts
| Standards points of contact at the U.S. Mission to Italy: |
|---|
|
| Standards points of contact at the U.S. Mission to the E.U.: |
|---|
|
Trade Agreements
For a list of trade agreements with the EU and its Member States, as well as concise explanations, please see http://tcc.export.gov/Trade_Agreements/index.asp
Web Resources
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, http://www.ustr.gov/
U.S. Mission to the EU (USEU), http://www.useu.be or http://useu.usmission.gov/
Foreign Agricultural Service website, USEU, http://www.useu.be/agri/usda.html
Trade Compliance Center, http://www.trade.gov/tcc
U.S. Mission to the European Union, http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion
USDA Audit, Review & Compliance, http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/audit.htm
EC’s TARIC – online customs tariff database, http://ec.europa.eu/comm/taxation_customs/common/databases/taric/index_en.htm
Batteries: http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_8086174.pdf
WEEE & RoHS: http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/weee.html
Harmonized import requirements: http://www.useu.be/agri/certification.html
National Marine Fisheries Service’s Trade & Commercial Services website, http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ocs/tradecommercial
USDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/
EU mandatory and voluntary labeling and marking requirements, http://www.export.gov/mrktresearch/index.asp
EC Taxation and Customs Union, http://ec.europa.eu/comm/taxation_customs/customs/index_en.htm
National customs authorities, http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/links/customs/index_en.htm
EC Regulation on animal by-products, http://ec.europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/f81001.htm
Major Revision of the New Approach, http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/review_en.htm
EC Certification of Animal Products, http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/certification.html
EU-approved U.S. Establishments, http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/estab.html
EU Marketing Standards for Fruits & Vegetables, http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/Fruit-Veg.html
Non-Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) Program, http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/arc/nhtc.htm
Organic Foods Legislation, http://useu.usmission.gov/agri/organic.html
CENELEC, European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, http://www.cenelec.org/Cenelec/Homepage.htm
ETSI, European Telecommunications Standards Institute, http://www.etsi.org/
CEN, European Committee for Standardization, http://www.cen.eu/cenorm/index.htm
Standardization mandates, http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/standards_policy/mandates/
ANSI, American National Standards Institute, http://www.ansi.org/
New Approach Legislation and Standardization in the Internal Market, http://www.newapproach.org/
ETSI’s e-Standardization portal , http://portal.etsi.org/Portal_Common/home.asp
Advisory and coordinating bodies to CEN, http://www.cenorm.be/cenorm/workarea/sectorfora/index.asp
Accredited test laboratories in the EU, http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/
Government-to-Government Mutual Recognition Agreement Information,http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Global/mra.cfm
European co-operation for Accreditation,http://www.european-accreditation.org/default_flash.htm
European Union law portal, http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/JOIndex.do?ihmlang=en
List of EU Directives and Standards, http://www.newapproach.org/Directives/DirectiveList.asp
EC Technical Regulations Information System, http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/tris/
Proposed Foreign Technical Regulations, http://tsapps.nist.gov/notifyus/data/index/index.cfm
EC Directive on packaging, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31980L0232:EN:HTML
EU Eco-label Homepage, http://buyusainfo.net/docs/x_4284752.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm
FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): www.wto.org
WTO, World Trade Organization (WTO): www.wto.org
CUSTOMS CONTACT INFORMATION:
Italian Ministry of Finance’s Customs Department: http://www.agenziadogane.it
United States Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security: http://www.bis.doc.gov
U.S. Customs and Border Protection: http://www.cbp.gov