EU Launches New Trade Barrier Complaint System

The European Commission launched a new complaint system to allow companies, trade groups and member states to report market access barriers presented by trading partners, a Nov. 16 news release said. The system will help the European Union’s “increased efforts to strengthen the enforcement and implementation of trade agreements” and will allow industry an increased voice in government priorities. “Stakeholders now will play a direct role in ensuring that EU trade policy delivers both on trade opportunities and on raising labour and environmental standards,” Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said. Complaints must include a “detailed factual description of the issue at stake,” and when market access is the issue, must include a description of “the alleged barrier's potential economic impact.”