Search

The EU maintains non-preferential and preferential rules of origin (RoO). During the period under review, the rules of origin remained largely unchanged. [35]

[35] Small changes have been made such as Myanmar being reinstated in the GSP rules of origin, some adaptations in the rules of origin in the GSP framework and non-preferential list rules for solar panels were amended. See Regulation (EU) No. 607/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, 12 June 2013 (OJ L 181/13, 29 June 2013); Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 530/2013, 10 June 2013 (OJ L 159/1, 11 June 2013); and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 1357/2013, 17 December 2013 (OJ L 341/47, 18 December 2013).

Some of the highest definitive AD duties that resulted from original investigations or reviews between July 2012 and June 2014 concern, inter alia, (...) solar panels from China (64.9%) (...)

Newly-opened investigations in 2013 covered solar glass, glass fibre products panels, and polyester staple fibres (PSF). (...)

In 2013 and 2014, some WTO Members used the TBT Committee to raise specific trade concerns relating to notifications made by the EU or the member States. During these two years, seven concerns were raised which had been raised previously [98] and a further seven were raised for the first time. [99]

[98] Directive 2004/24/EC on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products (WTO TBT Information Management System ID 265); France – Loi No. 2010-788: The National Commitment for the Environment (Grenelle 2 Law) (ID 306); Directive 2009/28/CE, Renewable Energy Directive (EU - RED) (ID 307); Issue with respect to honey containing pollen from genetically modified maize MON810, Ruling from ECJ (ID 322); (...) and Draft Commission Regulation implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for directional lamps, light emitting diode lamps and related equipment (ID 365).

[99] (...) Proposal for a Regulation on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (ID 391); Revised Proposal for the Categorization of Compounds as Endocrine Disruptors of 19 February 2013 by DG Environment (ID 393); (...)

As was noted in the last Review, a considerable amount of legislation on technical requirements and conformity assessment is harmonized at the EU level with the objective of ensuring the free movement of goods while maintaining a high level of health and safety, and protection of consumers and the environment within the Union. (...)

Table 3.6 Harmonized standards in the EU, December 20 14
Conformity assessment and managements systems
- Subject: New Legislative Framework (NLF) and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAs)
- Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008, Decision No. 768/2008/EC, and Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2009

Energy efficiency
- Subject: Ecodesign and energy labelling
- Legal basis: Directive 2009/125/EC, and Directive 2010/30/EU

Electric and electronic engineering
- Subject: Restriction on the use of certain hazardous substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment
- Legal basis: Directive 2011/65/EU

Sustainability
- Subject: Packaging and packaging waste
- Legal basis: Directive 94/62/EC

Table 3.8 Principal SPS legislation in the EU in 2015
- Legislation: Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 (Laste amended: 2014): On official controls for verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health, and animal welfare rules. The Regulations sets out general rules for the performance of official controls to verify compliance with rules aiming, in particular, at: (a) preventing, eliminating or reducing to acceptable levels risks to humans and animals, either directly or through the environment; and (b) guaranteeing fair practices in feed and food trade and protecting consumer interests, including feed and food labelling and other forms of consumer information.

- Legislation: Directive 2000/29/EC (Last amended: 2014): Protective measures against the introduction into member States from other member States or third countries of organisms which are harmful to plants or plant products.
Inter alia, it also concerns: protective measures against the spread of harmful organisms within the EU by means related to movements of plants, plant products and other related objects within a member State; and the model of "Phytosanitary Certificates" and "phytosanitary certificates for Re-export" or their electronic equivalent issued by member States under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

(...) The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is an independent risk assessment body of the EU, which provides scientific advice on existing and emerging risks related to SPS matters, including food safety, and the authorization of genetically-modified organisms.(...)

In addition to the authorities at the EU level, each member State has its own authorities responsible for food safety, animal and plant health, and the environment.

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) allows food and feed authorities of the member States and the Commission to exchange information about measures taken in response to direct and indirect risks to human health from food, and human and animal health and the environment from feed. (...)