European automotive supplier body, CLEPA, says it will take its pro Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) message to Washington next month.
The component association says it believes adoption of TTIP by the European Union (EU) and the US could see huge increases in parts and vehicle exports, as well as significant efficiencies for workforces on both sides of the Atlantic.
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CLEPA also recently issued a joint letter to US trade representative, Michael Froman and European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström, in tandem with the American Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), urging progress surrounding TTIP be accelerated.
“Three weeks ago we had the stakeholders meeting in Brussels and CLEPA was making [a] presentation for the first time,” CLEPA CEO, Paul Schockmel, told just-auto on the sidelines at this week’s Geneva Motor Show.
“I must say this was very well received. The next one will be on 20 April in Washington and we will do it with MEMA. We have more or less the same opinion about it.
“My feeling tells me that, especially on the side of technical regulations and since I am coming from a supplier I know what it means running validations. This is a lot of time and money.
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By GlobalData“Of course we have to make the distinction between those regulations already in place and those that are not harmonised. In the case of safety, it is saving lives, it is reducing injuries, we are already close.”
The CLEPA chief insisted the political will is there for TTIP to take place, although with a new European Commission (EC) only recently appointed, many are still finding their feet around the Brussels regulatory environment.
The supplier association is also stressing the need for dismantling of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB) through regulatory convergence, as well as the establishment of a regulatory cooperation body as an ‘early warning mechanism’ to consult on planned legislation.
“There must be the political will to say we are just doing it – my feeling [is] it [political will] has improved, said Schockmel. “We feel more political will – we are targeting to do this. We have a disadvantage – at least in Brussels – everybody is new – but slowly [it is] getting a little bit clearer.
“We see the benefits. We are predicting for both sides we are estimating will have increased business. By bringing down tax barriers of course, but also the non-tariff barriers as well.”
