_______________________________________
Request for observing the Information
Technology Agreement (ITA),
updating and expanding
its product coverage
Cologne, 22 September 2010
The industry associations engaged in IT products such as
digital cameras would like to request the European Union(EU):1) to fairly observe the concessions granted by the EU
following the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of
the World Trade Organization (WTO) pursuant to which
the EU committed to eliminate import duties on all
Information Technology (IT) products listed in theAnnexes to the ITA.
2) not to arbitrarily and unilaterally adopt classification
measures concerning IT products which result in theapplication of dutiable treatment on those products.
3) to consult with all other ITA member states and regions
in view of realizing the EU’s proposal to update and toexpand product coverage of the ITA.
On 16 August 2010, the WTO issued its Panel Report on
the dispute brought by United States (US), Japan andTaiwan concerning the tariff treatment granted by the EU
to digital multi-function machines, flat-panel displays andset-top boxes. The dispute was brought to the WTO
Dispute Settlement Body after the request for formal
consultations made by US and Japan on 28 May 2008,
and later joined by Taiwan, failed to reach a satisfactory
solution. The Panel Report supported all claims from thecomplainants and confirmed that the EU infringes theITA by imposing duties on the above products. Therefore,
the Panel ordered the EU to bring the relevant measures
into conformity with its obligations under the GATT 1994
and to ensure the duty-free treatment of the above
products.

FOTOMKEWe welcome and support the Panel Report since we believe
it confirms that the EU has acted inconsistently with their
WTO obligations in their Customs administration area fora very long time.
In parallel with the above developments, on 15 September
2008, the EU presented the WTO with a proposal to update
and expand the product coverage of the ITA taking accountof rapid technological innovation and convergence. The EU
proposal was a positive development and raised ourexpectations. However, we understand that no progress has
been made to date on this proposal.
Therefore, we would like to request the EU to immediately
implement a positive and constructive consultation with allother ITA member states and regions to realize the EU
proposal, while complying with the ITA, and promoting
steady economic growth of the worldwide free trade.
We will also keep paying our most careful attention to ensurethat any proposal to re-negotiate the ITA does not invalidate
the concessions already granted to IT products.
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1. Asociacia Dovozcov Audiovizualnej Techniky (ADAT, Slovakia), 2. Associazione
Italiana Foto & Digital Imaging (AIF, Italy), 3. Associacao Empresarial das SectoresElectrico, Electrodomestico, Fotografico e Electronico (AGEFE, Portugal), 4. Asociatia
Producatorilor si Distribuitorilor de Echipamente de Technologia Informatiei sicomunicatiilor (APDETIC, Romania), 5. Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies(bait, Bulgaria), 6. Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA, Japan), 7. Elektronik
Branschen (Sweden) , 8. Electro ni kkbrans jen (No rway), 9. Elektroniikan
Tukkukauppiaat ry (ETK ry, Finland) 10. Fotobranchens Leverandorforening (Denmark),
11. Association of the Hungarian Representatives of the Photo machineries Manufacturers(FOTOMKE, Hungary), 12. International Imaging Industry Association (i3a, USA), 13.
Photo Imaging Council (pic, UK), 14. Photoindustie-Verband e.V. (PIV, Germany), 15. photo& imaging association (PIA, Belgium / Luxemburg), 16. Photo Marketing Association
International (PMA, USA), 17. Greek Manufacturers, Distributors & Dealers of Photo
Products and Image Systems Association (SEKAF, Greece), 18. Sindycat des Enterprises deL’image de la Photo et de la Communication (SIPEC, France), 19. Photographic Arts
Federation of Turkey (TFSF, Turkey) , 20. ZIPSEE (Poland)_____________________________________________________________________________For further information contact: info@cipa.jp