News & briefings on European standards testing related product regulations



Latest reports: August 2016

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	Current news highlights covered in our analytical reports:

Product safety enforcement: 1) pressure on products containing dangerous chemicals, 2) an opportunity for public comment Wireless broadband: more spectrum allocated Electrical safety – transition to the new directive: first list of standards recognised under new version of directive; and new guidance on the transition Automotive tachographs: new, mandatory specifications published ROHS: new exemptions for medical and control instruments Other routine standards updates: EMC, machinery, construction products, recreational craft Chemicals: 1) official call for clearer safety information data; 2) routine update to rules for classification and labelling 3) one new substance of very high concern identified Data-protection: harmonised protection for customers / employees Cyber-security: new regulation sets ground-rules for protecting electricity, transport, telecommunications networks Refrigeration equipment: new Declaration of Conformity when F-gases are used Construction products: weaknesses identified in current regulation Medical devices: revision of current directives imminent BREXIT: early pointers to impact on product approvals Food safety: a half-decision by the EU on glyphosate pesticides Sports grounds: new safety evaluation of recycled rubber in artificial turf Foods: nanomaterials and palm-oil contaminants targeted for safety study New standards: 2017 targets for development published Cosmetics: ban threatened for shower gels Health & Safety: new restrictions imposed on presence of carcinogenic chemicals at the workplace Free Trade Agreements: results updated for EU-Korea agreement

Single Market Ventures is a business development consultancy, based in Brussels and working in Europe, North America and east Asia.

The company’s core specialisation is in reporting, assessing, and managing the impact of harmonisation and mutual recognition of standards, tests and related policies on cross-border trade in goods and services. We have over 20 years of experience in the field, which plays a major role in efforts to achieve a barrier-free, level playing-field in international trade. The practical implications for business take precedence in our work, and we also cover wider issues of business development and strategy that they raise. We serve both government and private-sector clients.

Renewable energy (see right) is a current example of the application of our expertise.

	Our Services

	Services include factual reporting, research, analysis, and individually-tailored practical advice on policy or business development. Clients are welcome to start at any of those levels. Many have gone through all in sequence: 1) please tell us what’s happening (in a particular field); 2) give us an analysis of its significance; and then 3) advise us on how we should best respond to optimise our own policies and programmes. We offer a single, core multi-client, multi-sectoral service: the Europe-link Information Service on EU Product Approvals. It concentrates on EU-level harmonisation or mutual recognition of specifications, conformity assessment, technical regulations and related policies, in both established and new sectors of trade. Client-specific work is a natural complement, and can have a regional or global scope. Work may be within our core specialisation, or use that specialisation as a springboard to broader opportunities for business development. We provide advice on how to respond to policies and programmes which drive new markets or change present ones. We examine the full range of external issues relevant to development, including market activity, opportunities for new ventures, and strategic partnerships. We do not undertake lobbying assignments. Click here for MORE DETAILS and for concrete EXAMPLES of our services.

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