The non-tariff barriers mainly based on certain health, environment and safety standards, can be more restrictive than actual customs tariffs. Mandatory behind-the-border measures such as rules which dictate how a product can be manufactured, handled, or advertised, rules which require proof of which country goods were produced, rules relevant to sanitary or phytosanitary standards are often experienced as very complex by businesses in practice.
Our team has been advising clients on the regulatory landscape of various non-tariff based barriers related to environmental and product safety standards in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region having a particular focus on:
- Advising on technical barriers to trade involving regulations on the contents of products, specific characteristics that a product should have, such as its size, shape, design, labelling / "made in" marking / packaging, functionality or performance with regard to the markets in EMEA
- Advisory guidance regarding supply chain restructuring and licensing requirements with regard to trade, import and export of drug precursors across and outside the EU
- Advising on the EU Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) and the national legislation of EU Member States in transposition of the WEEE Directive
- Providing guidance with regard to the mandatory requirements of the EU Batteries Directive
- Advisory guidance regarding the responsibilities and liabilities in view of managing risks from chemicals and providing safety information on the substances of chemicals as set forth in the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) in the EU
- Advising on the EU legislation regarding measures for packaging and packaging waste
- Advising on compliance with CE Marking
- Providing guidance in view of the impact of the EU legislation regarding the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS Directive)