Jason Oxman President and Chief Executive Officer at Information Technology Industry Council | Official website
BRUSSELS - In a joint statement released today, global tech trade association ITI and Orgalim emphasized the need for an EU-US agreement on conformity assessment to streamline transatlantic trade. The statement highlights the current challenges faced by technology companies needing certifications to ensure compliance with technical and safety standards when trading across the Atlantic.
According to ITI and Orgalim, an agreement on conformity assessment would not only benefit transatlantic trade but also bring advantages to EU and US exporters. These benefits include reduced waiting times for product certification and decreased costs associated with conformity assessment due to increased competition among certification bodies.
The call for this agreement is in anticipation of the upcoming Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting, with ITI and Orgalim urging both sides to prioritize reaching this agreement to enhance the competitiveness of technology companies and promote economic security.
While acknowledging that an agreement on conformity assessment is a step in the right direction, ITI and Orgalim also stress the importance of addressing other trade barriers, particularly the divergence in technical and product safety requirements between the EU and the US markets. They advocate for the harmonisation of standards based on international standards to further facilitate transatlantic cooperation.
The joint statement also references the recently signed Administrative Agreement on a joint Cybersafe Products Action Plan as a positive example of transatlantic cooperation that should be expanded to other areas such as AI. Furthermore, ITI and Orgalim urge the EU and the US to work on harmonising technical requirements for products like machinery and electrical equipment based on international standards.
In conclusion, ITI and Orgalim reiterate their call for an EU-US agreement on conformity assessment as a priority to bring tangible benefits to technology companies on both sides of the Atlantic and pave the way for future cooperation in emerging technologies.
