Summary
In this position paper, Cefic’s presents its perspective on the EU’s Free Trade Agenda amidst various industrial challenges, including high energy prices and supply chain dependencies. The paper highlights the critical role of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in maintaining Europe’s chemical sector’s competitiveness and recommends strategies to leverage these agreements.
Cefic recommendations:
- FTAs and WTO Integration: Cefic insists that FTAs should enhance, not replace, the WTO framework to ensure rule-based global trade that can handle modern challenges.
- Non-Tariff Barriers and Market Access: A primary focus on reducing non-tariff barriers is essential for European companies to benefit from FTAs.
- Regulatory Cooperation on Chemicals: Incorporating dedicated annexes for chemical regulatory cooperation in FTAs can streamline processes and foster global alignment, thus reducing administrative burdens.
- A more business conducive chapter on Trade and Sustainable development: For instance, by including the implementation of a UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in the scope.
- Access to key raw materials and energy carriers: Add in all FTAs a dedicated Energy and Raw Material chapter.