Trade Briefings
September 15, 2015
Published by EPICENTER on September 15, 2015
From 2016, e-cigarettes will face additional regulation under Article 20 of the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). Given that non-smokers have so far shown little interest in e-cigarettes, critics argue that discouraging ‘vaping’ amounts to encouraging smoking and that some of the new regulations will damage health by raising prices and reducing the appeal of products which, if smokers switched to them, would save lives. However, Member States have some latitude in implementing the TPD.
November 26, 2014
Published by EPICENTER on November 26, 2014
Categories
Given the lack of evidence of anti-competitive behaviour in the search engine market, action by the European Commission is unjustified. “Unbundling” will harm innovation, economic growth and the rule of law in the EU.
November 20, 2014
Published by EPICENTER on November 20, 2014
Categories
With cross-border trade volumes reaching new heights every year, and with governments still prone to arbitrary action, there is a need for effective, transparent, independent and swift ISDS. CETA, TTIP and future trade deals should contain an ISDS chapter.
October 1, 2014
Published by EPICENTER on October 1, 2014
Categories
The free-trade deal between Canada and the European Union has often been described as a template for the potentially much larger Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership currently being negotiated with the United States. As such it provides a good case study in the pitfalls that might plague, not just the TTIP, but other future trade agreements that the EU embarks upon.
October 1, 2014
Published by EPICENTER on October 1, 2014
Categories
Dealing with public health challenges requires some degree of government action to protect the population from contagious diseases and pollution. Given the EU’s commitment to the free movement of people, it is appropriate that member states work together to identify and tackle communicable diseases with initiatives such as the Early Warning and Response System.
