Month: July 2018

Positive and constructive dialogue in transatlantic trade

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European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed yesterday to work towards strengthening the bilateral trade relationship, including the elimination of tariffs as well as reducing non-tariff barriers to trade and subsidies.

in CLEPA, 26-07-2018

Roberto Vavassori, President of CLEPA, the European automotive supplier’s association comments positively on the results of the meeting:

“It is very positive to see the U.S. and EU talking constructively again. The comments by Presidents Trump and Juncker are promising, specifically that both sides agree to hold off further tariffs and to reassess existing tariffs on steel and aluminium in the context of negotiations. The words from President Trump about resolving the steel and aluminium tariff and the retaliation of tariff are of special importance for our industry.

The announced dialogue on standards would be crucially important for the automotive industry where high standards of vehicle safety, environmental performance must be maintained, supported by convergence between our two different regulatory systems. CLEPA positively encourages both sides to revisit the chapters already included in transatlantic trade negotiations, including existing tariffs on cars and car parts.

It is important to note that even a reform of the WTO seems to back on the agenda. Challenges such as intellectual property theft, industrial subsidies and the conduct of state-owned enterprises are best dealt with in the framework of multilateral rules.

The EU and the U.S. combined are the most important markets in the world and of crucial importance to the automotive industry. We have always supported talks to facilitate trade between the two partners and will continue doing so. We hope that the meeting between President Trump and President Juncker marks the start of a renewed and lasting dialogue and constructive negotiations.”

CLEPA on the vote on opinions on CO2 standards: Tough balancing act

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The committee for Transport and Tourism in the European Parliament has voted yesterday to confirm the Commission’s proposed reduction targets for cars and vans, to call for more flexible rules on eco-innovations and to request the Commission to introduce Life-Cycle Analysis and Well-to-wheel data in emissions regulation. The committee for Industry, Research and Energy did not adopt a position after a vote which overall had produced contradictory results.

in CLEPA, 11-07-2018

CLEPA Secretary General Sigrid de Vries comments:

“Today’s vote reflects the tough balancing act policy makers are tasked with: Defining ambitious but realistic CO2-reduction targets while balancing environmental, consumer and economic interests at the same time. The European Commission has put a highly demanding proposal on the table, which will contribute to the Paris climate goals and to a transformation of the industry. Elaborating on this proposal is a complex task and today’s votes show that policy makers intend to take a detailed and critical look at the Commission’s proposal and the suggestions of stakeholders.

The proposed ambition level will drive the rapid transformation of the automotive landscape, both on the roads with a significant amount of electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as in the automotive industry where alternative propulsion technologies will become a major part of daily manufacturing. Together with digitalisation, decarbonisation constitutes the main transformational force in the sector.

The automotive suppliers support realistically ambitious reduction targets and stress the importance of a technology neutral approach to reduce emissions in the most efficient as well as least disruptive way. In that respect, CLEPA welcomes the support for eco-innovations reflected in the position of the committee for Transport and Tourism as well as for the inclusion of synthetic fuels in the scope of the legislation and a stronger recognition for hybrid technology in the so called ‘benchmark’.

Automotive suppliers are fully part of the transformation process manufacturing everything from electric drivetrain, to advanced combustion engine solutions to hydrogen and other alternative fuels-based technologies. Long-standing innovation and solution providers, they industrialise those technologies that help make transport safe, smart and sustainable. “

The opinion of the committee for Transport and Tourism will be taken into consideration by the leading committee for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety in the preparation of its vote in September and subsequently the vote in the Plenary of the European Parliament (EP), which is scheduled for October. Once EP and Council have decided on their respective positions, interinstitutional negotiations to adopt the regulation will start.

CLEPA statement on the applicability of End of Live Vehicle (ELV) Directive

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CLEPA has just published the statement on the applicability of “End of Live” (ELV) Directive vs the “Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment” Directive (RoHS)/ “Waste electrical and electronic equipment” Directive (WEEE) in the automotive industry

by CLEPA, 04-07-2017

EU WEEE directive 2012/19/EU (“Waste electrical and electronic equipment directive”) opens its scope by 15th of August 2018. WEEE applies to electrical / electronical equipment (EEE) and excludes specific EEE for the means of transport, that concerns vehicles, which are in scope of ELV.

 

As a consequence the directive covers further EEE, which were not in scope before. Exemplary examples of EEE new in scope include, but are not limited to clothes and furniture with installed electrical / electronical function such as:

  • Bathroom cabinets with installed illumination
  • Desks, which are adjustable by height through electrical function
  • Shoes with installed blinking lights.

 

The EU “End of Life” (ELV) Directive 2000/53/EC applies to vehicles, including components and materials of vehicles, as defined in article 3(1).

 

The CLEPA statement shall help CLEPA companies to define, which directives apply to their parts, either ELV directive or RoHS / WEEE directive. The statement is supported by JAPIA, the “Japan Autoparts Industry Organization”.

 

You can check the statement below

CLEPA STATEMENT

Industry4Europe coalition publish a new Joint Paper calling for an ambitious industrial policy in Europe

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The Industry4Europe coalition, of which CLEPA is a member, has today published a new Joint Paper to inform the EU debate on an new, ambitious industrial policy for Europe.

The Joint Paper makes recommendations with regard to the governance structure for such policy, which should facilitate dialogue as well as concrete implementation of actions.

by CLEPA, 03-07-2018

The Joint Paper was presented this morning to the Austrian Chairman of the Council High-Level Group on Competitiveness and Growth and will be shared with all Permanent Representations as well as with the European Commission.

 

With its first Joint Paper “For an ambitious EU Industrial Strategy: Going further” (October 2017), the Industry4Europe coalition called for a long-term vision for Europe’s industry which demands a long-term governance structure going beyond the 6-month EU Presidency cycle and the 5-year mandate of the current European Commission. Such a governance structure should enable the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament, together with industry stakeholders, to develop a common vision for a smart, innovative and sustainable industry.

Existing policies, initiatives and tools, addressing the challenges and gaps, including those described in the Commission’s Communication “Investing in a smart, innovative and sustainable Industry: A renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy” of September 2017, should be reviewed in order to develop and implement a long-term comprehensive EU Industrial Strategy as well as for monitoring its progress on a regular basis.

 

Download the Joint Paper 2018-07-Industry4Europe – Joint Paper on Governance

Automotive Industry Guideline (AIG) on REACH has been published

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Version 4 of the Automotive Industry Guideline on REACH (AIG) has been published by the Automotive Task Force on REACH (TF-REACH)

by CLEPA, 02-07-2018

Task Force-REACH (Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals) comprises representatives of all the major vehicle manufacturers and the automotive supply chain, including CLEPA.

The Task Force recommends a common schedule and external communication strategy in order to harmonise the sector’s response to REACH and avoid duplication and confusion by taking into consideration the automotive industry’s specific criteria and tools.

The TF’s approach and recommendations are outlined in the new Automotive Industry Guideline (AIG) on REACH.

 

The European REACH Regulation 1907/2006 came into force on 1 June 2007 and affects all industries. The Regulation requires immediate and ongoing action from automobile manufacturers and suppliers. Under REACH, substances manufactured or imported on their own or in mixtures, as well as substances intended to be released from articles, need to be registered according to the REACH timeline once a certain yearly tonnage is exceeded.  Additionally, Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) may require authorisation or may be restricted. SVHCs listed on the Candidate List need to be identified in articles and communicated throughout the supply chain and to the consumer if certain criteria are met. Companies that do not comply with REACH have no market, so continued REACH compliance is critical to maintain business continuity for any company doing business, or having customers or suppliers doing business, in the European Economic Area (EEA).

 

Version 4 of the Automotive Industry Guideline builds on the comprehensive automotive industry recommendations regarding numerous aspects of the REACH Regulation in the previous version 3.1, but includes significant changes to the following chapters:

 

  • Glossary of terms; Notification of Candidate List substances in articles; Communication requirements for Candidate List substances in articles; Authorisation procedure.

New annexes were also added:

 

  • REACH Substance Scrutiny – From PACT Onwards; REACH Annex XVII Impact Evaluation List; Practical Application of the O5A Principle for CL Substances in Articles; Sustainable Substitution Criteria; History of amendments to REACH Regulation; List of changes to AIG.

 

The AIG will be translated into Chinese, French, Japanese and Korean, so as to assist the global automotive supply chain in understanding their REACH obligations while also providing useful recommendations.

For more information and to download version 4 of the AIG free of charge, check 2018-07-AI guideline on REACH 4.0