Selling US Products and Services in the EU
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Summary
This report aims to help companies understand the EU’s customs classification and tariffs system, as well as to provide information on customs advocacy Although the European Union is a customs union with a Community Customs Code and a harmonized tariff system for product classification, customs administration is a Member State activity. As a result some important actions of individual Member State customs authorities are handled differently, resulting in variations from country to country.
MR-161 / How EU VAT impacts U.S. companies
Summary
Understanding the European Union’s Value Added Tax (VAT) rules can seem daunting for US exporters. It is a complex area with multiple rules and multiple exceptions to those rules. Nevertheless there are some basic principles that underpin the system and this report focuses on those. This report examines the different ways in which EU VAT law impacts U.S. exporters supplying goods and services to EU customers, both from the U.S. and from within the EU.
MR-157 / European Union: Selling goods and services to EU institutions
Summary
There are various ways to sell goods and services to European institutions. This report outlines some of the most useful websites that vendors should be familiar with in order to bid on contracts with European institutions. For example, the European Commission, the Council Secretariat and the European Parliament all need a wide array of goods and services, ranging from consultancy on policies and legislation, to office equipment and data management systems. For example, around 9,000 contracts are awarded each year through public procurement procedures by the European Commission. This may be a business opportunity for your company!
MR-125 / The EU's Globally Harmonized System of the Classification & Labeling of Chemicals
Summary
For companies involved in global trade, complying with different labeling requirements can be expensive, tricky, and often inefficient.
To address this problem, the United Nations adopted the “Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals” (GHS) as a non-binding resolution. Recently, the European Commission proposed to implement the United Nation’s GHS system into law.
The Commission aims to time the GHS's entry into force as closely as possible to REACH to allow consistency of transitional arrangements of GHS and REACH.
Our latest Market Research Report explains the European Union's Globally Harmonised System and provides advice on how companies can comply with the GHS's requirements.
MR-109 / The New Machine Directive
Summary
Machines are subject to product safety requirements in the European Union. At the end of 2009, the legislation currently in force (Directive 98/37/EC) will be replaced by the recently adopted "New Machinery Directive" 2006/42/EC. This report will focus on the steps to comply with the new machinery directive, highlighting some of the changes compared to the existing legislation. Manufacturers who already sell on the EU market will want to consider the implications of the new machinery directive for their product.
MR-103 / European Union: EU Marking, Labeling and Packaging- An Overview
Summary
There is a broad array of EU legislation pertaining to the marking, labeling and packaging of products, with neither an “umbrella” law covering all goods nor any central directory containing information on marking, labeling and packaging requirements. This overview is meant to provide the reader with a general introduction to the multitude of marking, labeling and packing requirements or marketing tools to be found in the EU.
MR-102 / European Union: Proposal for an Origin Marking Scheme for Imported Products
Summary
Following an extensive consultation process begun in 2003, the European Commission has proposed a regulation for an origin-marking scheme for imported products. The proposal was prompted as a result of a number of European Union Member States and industry sectors calling for mandatory origin marking to curb misleading marking on imported products. The Commission’s proposed regulation, which will mandate the compulsory use of origin marking for imports of certain goods such as textiles, apparel, footwear, ceramics, etc could become fully operational during the 2nd half of 2007.
MR-87 / EU Franchising
Summary
This report covers the EC Directives that relate to Franchisors entering the market, namely, the exemptions to the EU’s general anti-trust law, the European Franchising Federation (EFF) and their ‘Code of Ethics’ that covers IPR protection and the relevant contacts for the individual Member State Franchising organizations.
MR-85 / Entry into the European Union Legal Services Market: Prospects for non-EU Lawyers
Summary
The EU provides for the free movement of lawyers and legal services within its borders by allowing lawyers of EU citizenship to practice in any Member State with little difficulty. However, this mobility does not extend to lawyers from non-EU countries, and can even put American businesses, law firms, and individual lawyers wishing to practice law or do business within the EU at a disadvantage. This report examines the EU regulations for EU lawyers, Member State rules for non-EU lawyers and problems encountered by U.S. firms doing business in the EU.
MR-74 / EU Product Warranty Directive
Summary
With the goal of strengthening the European Union’s internal market, the European Commission approved legislation on May 25, 1999 that harmonizes the guarantees on consumer goods. Directive 1999/44/EC, hereafter referred to as the Product Warranty Directive, aims to protect consumers who make purchases outside of their Member State. The Directive sets up minimum standards for product warranties and mandates a warranty period of at least 2 years. Sellers whose products are found not to conform to the “contract” between the buyer and seller at the time the goods were delivered are required to replace or repair the nonconforming goods free of charge; reduce the price of the goods; or release the consumer from the “contract.” The legislation was to be transposed into National Law by all EU Member States and enter into effect January 1, 2002. This updated report discusses the implications of this legislation for producers and consumers across the 25 Member States.
MR-44 / Commercial Agents in the European Union
Summary
U.S. companies interested in entering or expanding business in the European Union may find the use of commercial agents an attractive way to access the market. However, companies should be aware of EU regulations and policies that may affect relationships between principals and their commercial agents. This report reviews the provisions outlined by “Council Directive 86/653/EEC on the coordination of the laws of the Member States relating to self-employed commercial agents,” and how its application by the European Union Member States has implications for U.S. businesses in the European Union.
MR-25 / EU Competition Rules May Affect Distribution Agreements
Summary
U.S. companies interested in expanding their business in Europe should be aware of certain EU regulations that may affect distribution agreements. Analogous to antitrust laws in the United States, EU competition rules, which apply to both goods and services circulating in countries within the European Union, prohibit certain practices concerning vertical restrictions.
