EU Legislation Would Narrow Scope of PPE Export Controls
The European Commission introduced draft legislation to narrow European Union-wide export controls and extend export exemptions to more territories, according to an April 14 notice. Under the new legislation, the restrictions, which currently apply to a range of personal protective equipment (see 2003200029), would only restrict sales of protective masks. The restrictions would also only last for 30 days beginning April 26, the notice said. The commission said the masks is the “only remaining category, where an export authorization is necessary” to maintain EU supply.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
The legislation also would add export exemptions for shipments to the Western Balkans, Gibraltar and member states’ territories that are not part of the EU customs union. The commission also stressed the importance of humanitarian exports, saying the legislation would require member states to more quickly authorize exports of medical supplies in humanitarian cases. If adopted, the legislation will allow the commission to adjust the scope and the duration of the restrictions to address “new developments.”
In an April 16 joint statement, EU trade ministers endorsed the legislation. “Ministers acknowledged that efforts must continue to keep trade flows open and avoid unnecessary disruption of global value and supply chains,” the statement said.