Generalised scheme of tariff preferences

The Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee (COLEACP) thanks the European Commission for the opportunity to contribute to this consultation process on behalf of our members. COLEACP is a not-for-profit interprofessional association representing the interests of Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) producers/exporters and EU importers of fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants.

IEEP welcomes the new GSP proposal, yet, we identify key areas in need of more concrete provisions to ensure environmental protection and the promotion of more sustainable trade. Consult the attached document for detailed feedback.

CEFS welcomes the new legislative proposal for the new EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for the period 2024-2034 adopted by the Commission on 22 September 2021. In our assessment, the proposal moves to the right direction, especially when it comes to the introduction of more international conventions to be respected/ratified by the beneficiaries as well as to the introduction of a rapid withdrawal…

The European Ceramic Industry Association (Cerame-Unie) would like to thank the Commission for the opportunity to submit its feedback on the proposal for the new Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Regulation. The ceramic industry upholds the Commission’s goal to assist developing countries in achieving sustainable development by means of trade through preferential tariffs.

AEGIS Europe welcomes the fact that the proposal of the new EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences for the period 2024-2034 includes new provisions linking the tariff preference withdrawal with violations of environmental and good governance international conventions and to extend this negative conditionality also to standard GSP countries.

Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) is a not-for-profit public limited company set up to serve as a research and advocacy platform for Pakistan’s textile and apparel sector. Textiles is the largest export sector for Pakistan and a key engine for the economy. PTC is sponsored by 25 of the largest, most progressive textile and apparel manufacturers in Pakistan.

CIBE (International Confederation of European Beet Growers) expresses its support for the current revision of the EU GSP scheme and the parallel revision of the scope of the TSD chapter ambitions. CIBE takes note that the GSP, the GSP+ special incentive, and the EPAs (Economic Partnership Agreements) have been considered as instruments of economic development for partner countries.

The Portuguese Association of Ceramic and Crystalaria Industries supports the overall objective of the GSP to help developing countries achieve sustainable development through trade, while promoting values. universal, labour standards, environmental protection and good governance.

Filed in Portuguese · English published by the European Commission

Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Association, would like the welcome the proposal adopted by the Commission for a new EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences, particularly in regards to the inclusion of environmental sustainability considerations and the need to keep safeguards to protect European production.

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to renew the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Regulation (GSP). FESI firmly believes that the GSP, including the GSP+ and EBA regimes, contributes to the competitiveness of products from and to the sustainable development of developing countries and has proven to help the latter becoming more competitive…

1. Transition period for temporary withdrawal of GSP+ arrangement: It is felt that the proposed regulation should clearly specify a minimum transition period for implementation of the temporary withdrawal procedure for GSP+ arrangement in the case of non-conformance to binding undertakings (Article 15).

The European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) and its members count around 4.300 companies in the EU employing directly 360.000 people. ETRMA tyre corporate companies represent globally 59% of world sales and 7 out of 10 world leaders are our Members . We have strong presence in the EU and candidate countries with 86 tyre-producing plants and 16 R&D centres.

EUROALLIAGES is the association representing European Silicon and ferro-alloys producers. While EUROALLIAGES very much supports the basic principles and objectives pursued by GSP, EUROALLIAGS would like to make the following comments: - Within the overall objectives of the GSP – promotion of sustainable development of developing countries -, there was a common understanding that GSP should focus more on the…

In principle, the current GSP system is effective – and its development (e.g. of tariff rates) is followed closely. If it were removed, the less productive factories in GSP countries would likely be no longer competitive. This would not be in the interest of GSP countries nor of the EU wishing to favour these countries.

ePURE, representing the European renewable ethanol industry, irrespective of the feedstock or the end use (fuel, industrial or beverages applications) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Commission’s Inception Impact Assessment ‘Towards the future Generalised Scheme of Preferences Regulation granting trade advantages to developing countries’.

GSP is a development program, with the objective of implementing sustainable development and in the case of GSP+ a focus on good governance, amongst its other core objectives. The administration and impact of GSP should therefore be conducted by DG Development and not DG Trade, where there is a conflict of interest.

The current GSP provides sufficient support to LDCs and developing countries. The safeguard provisions must be effective, i.e. the Commission should be able to react in a timely manner. The respect of the conventions on labour and human rights, environment and governance principles need to be better monitored. In case of violation the COM should be able to take immediate steps to withdraw tariff preferences.