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USA, trade policy and deforestation
On 31 May 2023 has been published the report to the President “Reducing international deforestation through US government international programming, assistance, finance, investment, trade and trade promotion”in response to E.O 14072 (Stopping International Deforestation). This document provides a picture of the US policies to block the deforestation/forest degradation. The preferential trade agreements (free trade agreement) play a key role in the enforcement of the commitment against the illegal deforestantion. Indeed, in the “section 2: trade agreements” “(ii) Address deforestation and land conversion risk in new relevant trade agreements and seek to address such risks, where possible, in the implementation of existing trade agreements” this report states that “…The U.S. has…
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Agenzia dogane, MASAF e controlli su indicazioni geografiche
L’Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli è l’autorità pubblica designata dal MASAF (ministero politiche agricole) ad effettuare i controlli di specifiche Bevande Spiritose (per esempio: grappa, brandy italiano, mirto di Sardegna, liquore limoncello di Sorrento, Nocino di Modena) a Indicazione Geografica (IG). In tale contesto ADM-Cert garantisce, attraverso le verifiche previste dagli specifici Piani di Controllo approvati dal MASAF, nonché attraverso le analisi sui prodotti effettuate dai laboratori chimici ADM, il mantenimento degli standard qualitativi definiti dall’Autorità competente.
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Free trade agreement: EU supports Moldova
In the framework of the free trade agreement (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area-DCFTA) between Moldova and the EU, the European Commission will publish on 25 July 2023, a regulation which improve the free duties quotas for the following commodities: plums, table grapes, apples, tomatoes, garlic, cherries and grape juice.
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CBAM Belgium
The competent autority for the enforcement of CBAM( carbon borders adjustment mechanism)/MACF (mécanisme d’ajustement carbone aux frontières) is the “Service public fédéral Santé Publique, Sécurité de la chaîne alimentaire et Environnement – Direc-tion générale de l’Environnement (service Changements Climatiques)” .
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CBAM and Malta
The Competent Authority for the management of CBAM (carbon borders adjustment mechanism) in Malta is the Malta Resources Authority (MRA). Therefore, importers and indirect customs representatives shall be notified, via the appropriate customs systems, of the reporting obligations due during the transitional period.
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EU and Ghana Rex from 20 August 2023
According to the notice “concerning valid proofs of origin for products originating in Ghana on importation into the European Union as from 20 August 2023 under the EU- Ghana stepping-stone Economic Partnership Agreement (2023/C 245/06)” published on 12 July 2023, the preferential origin for Ghanian originating goods imported into the EU will be allowed only with a statement of origin with an exporter registered (REX) in accordance with the relevant provisions of Ghanaian law. It is expempted only any consignment consisting of one or more packages containing originating products whose total value does not exceed EUR 6 000.
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Free trade agreement Switzerland Israel: list of not eligible places
On 5 July 2023 Swiss customs published the list of non eligible places (of origin) for which the free trade agreement between Switzerland and Israel (preferential origin-preferential treatment) is no applicable.
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Chile, EU modernized free trade agreement
On 5 July 2023 EU Commission declared: “…The modernised EU-Chile agreement has today taken a step towards ratification, with the Commission sending the Advanced Framework Agreement (AFA) and the Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) to the Council for authorising its signature. Once the Council gives its green light, the EU would sign the agreement with Chile…”.
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The customs aspects of the batteries/waste of batteries regulation
The new regulation (batteries and waste of batteries) should be a good basis for the a new approach to customs; the key stones are: circular economy, trade compliance and sustainable development against environment destruction, deforestaion, climate crisis and pollution. Indeed, from a customs/customs compliance perspective, it is interesting to take into account that the protocol of origin of the free trade agreements (FTA) inked by the European Union usually lays down rules of origin which classify the waste/scramps (generated in the EU) as “originating material” of the European Union. Futhermore, the obligation to develop a reliable system of recycling of some materials contained by the batteries (cobaltum, lithium, nickel )…
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EU regulation on batteries and waste of batteries: a new way for circular economy
On 10 July 2023 the European Council adopted a new regulation (batteries and waste of batteries) that strengthens sustainability rules: for batteries; for waste batteries; This regulation covers all categories of batteries including: all waste portable batteries; electric vehicle batteries; industrial batteries; starting, lightning and ignition (SLI) batteries (used mostly for vehicles and machinery); batteries for light means of transport (e.g. electric bikes, e-mopeds, e-scooters). The regulation aims to: promote a circular economy by regulating batteries throughout their life cycle; sets targets for producers to collect waste; mandatoryminimum levels of recycled content; recycling efficiency target; from 2027 portable batteries incorporated into appliances should be removable and replaceable by the end-user, leaving…