ITC Identifies EU Barriers to US Small B

ITC Identifies EU Barriers to US Small Biz Exports

2/15/2017 7:36:11 PM

Europe: ITC Identifies EU Barriers to US Small Biz Exports

A report from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) finds food safety regulations, customs requirements, and costs associated with protecting intellectual property as some of the leading barriers for U.S. small businesses exporting to the European Union.

In particular, “They explained that while complying with standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures is costly for larger firms, it is potentially prohibitive for SMEs [small- and medium-sized enterprises] because many costs are fixed regardless of a firm’s size or revenue,” stated the ITC in its report.

Members of the U.S. agriculture sector cited high tariffs on crops, “stringent and inconsistent EU rules and testing mandates,” and regulations that are not based on science, especially those concerning genetically modified organisms, as its concerns. Additionally, “The U.S. poultry and lamb industries reported that they are effectively banned from exporting to the EU,” the ITC stated.