The EU and the US published a joint statement on a framework for trade on 21 August¹. The framework of policy measures that both sides commit to is to resolve “trade imbalances”.
Key term number 8 states that:
“With respect to automobiles, the United States and the European Union intend to accept and provide mutual recognition to each other’s standards.”
This is a complete reversal of a promise made by the Commission to a group of concerned civil society NGOs and organisations.
Fabian Küster, Director of Advocacy and EU Affairs at ECF, says;
“This framework agreement is a betrayal of the EU’s commitment to road safety. By accepting mutual recognition of vehicle standards with the United States, the European Commission is opening the door to vehicles that do not meet our hard-won safety regulations. We call on the Commission to retract this dangerous clause and uphold its promise to protect EU citizens.” (....)