Trade Barriers Regulation
The EU Trade Barriers Regulation
Table of content 1. What is the Trade Barriers Regulation 3 1.1 Definition of the TBR 3 1.2 Scope of the TBR 3 1.3 How can the TBR help 3 2. The users of the TBR 3 3. The Trade Barriers Regulation procedure 3 4. How to prepare a complaint 3 5. What can be achieved by a complaint? 3 6. Experience of the Trade Barriers Regulation 3 7. Examples 3 8. Illustrative list of obstacles to trade considered in WTO dispute settlement and TBR Investigation 3 Reference 3
1. What is the Trade Barriers Regulation
1.1 Definition of the TBR
EU companies face trade barriers every day in their international operations. These can include restrictions on sales in export markets, discriminatory taxation systems or difficulties in acquiring and enforcing patent rights in foreign countries. Such barriers hurt companies, workers and consumers.
The Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR) is an instrument in effect since 1995, aimed at helping EU businesses overcome trade barriers and thereby develop their activities overseas. The TBR is specifically designed to remove obstacles to trade in third countries, as well as to tackle unfair foreign trade practices that cause injury within the EU internal market.
1.2 Scope of the TBR 1. The TBR is a legal instrument that gives the right to EU enterprises, industries or their Associations as well as the EU Member States to lodge a complaint with the European Commission who then investigate and determine whether there is evidence of a violation of international trade rules which has resulted in either adverse trade effects or injury. 2. The TBR is an instrument aimed at opening third country markets by eliminating obstacles to trade for the benefit of EU exporters. 3. The TBR has a broad scope of application that applies not only to goods but also to services and intellectual property rights, when the rules concerning these rights have been violated and had an impact on trade
Table of content 1. What is the Trade Barriers Regulation 3 1.1 Definition of the TBR 3 1.2 Scope of the TBR 3 1.3 How can the TBR help 3 2. The users of the TBR 3 3. The Trade Barriers Regulation procedure 3 4. How to prepare a complaint 3 5. What can be achieved by a complaint? 3 6. Experience of the Trade Barriers Regulation 3 7. Examples 3 8. Illustrative list of obstacles to trade considered in WTO dispute settlement and TBR Investigation 3 Reference 3
1. What is the Trade Barriers Regulation
1.1 Definition of the TBR
EU companies face trade barriers every day in their international operations. These can include restrictions on sales in export markets, discriminatory taxation systems or difficulties in acquiring and enforcing patent rights in foreign countries. Such barriers hurt companies, workers and consumers.
The Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR) is an instrument in effect since 1995, aimed at helping EU businesses overcome trade barriers and thereby develop their activities overseas. The TBR is specifically designed to remove obstacles to trade in third countries, as well as to tackle unfair foreign trade practices that cause injury within the EU internal market.
1.2 Scope of the TBR 1. The TBR is a legal instrument that gives the right to EU enterprises, industries or their Associations as well as the EU Member States to lodge a complaint with the European Commission who then investigate and determine whether there is evidence of a violation of international trade rules which has resulted in either adverse trade effects or injury. 2. The TBR is an instrument aimed at opening third country markets by eliminating obstacles to trade for the benefit of EU exporters. 3. The TBR has a broad scope of application that applies not only to goods but also to services and intellectual property rights, when the rules concerning these rights have been violated and had an impact on trade