Industry a collateral victim of deadlock

News Story
- 13 Feb 2014 ( #654 ) - Brussels, Belgium
2 min read
Filip Geerts
Filip Geerts
The EU machinery industry has warned that its competitiveness could suffer a serious setback from the EU's continued failure to introduce a better market surveillance system.

The system is considered essential to fight unfair competition in the machinery market caused by the entry and circulation of non-compliant products.

EU member states are divided on the topic of the "marking of origin", hindering further progress on the draft regulation on the market surveillance of products (MSR). The industry is pessimistic about the proposal being adopted in the current parliamentary term before April (Forkliftaction.com News #652).

Filip Geerts, director general of the European Association of the Machine Tool Industries (CECIMO), says: "Our industries are the collateral victims of a political deadlock in the Council on a subject that is actually not related to market surveillance.

"Meanwhile, non-compliant products in the single market continue to harm industrial competitiveness. This does not only hold back industry's growth potential, but also harms users' safety, the environment as well as progress to meet the EU's energy and climate targets."

Representing the EU machinery alliance consisting of CECIMO, CECE, CEMA, EUROMAP and FEM, Geerts says the situation is "unacceptable" in light of the fact that it comes days after the European Commission's Communication on an Industrial Renaissance that made industrial competitiveness a top EU priority.

He explains that by restoring the level playing field in the market through improved market surveillance, a shift from price competition to competition on quality, reliability and resource-efficiency will be seen. The latter, he says, is a pre-requisite for the success of Europe's high value-added industries in the midst of global competitive pressures.

"Despite the fact that the European Parliament's Internal Market Committee already adopted its report on the MSR proposal in October last year, member states have still not managed to agree on a common negotiation position. This is due to a fundamental disagreement over the marking of origin - a provision included in the draft Regulation on General Product Safety (GPSR)," Geerts adds.

Since the MSR and GPSR proposals were bundled in a single legislative package, the fate of the MSR is linked to member states reaching an agreement on this provision.

Geerts says in the best-case scenario, the adoption of the MSR proposal will be deferred to the end of 2014. "If negotiations do not resume, the European Parliament is likely to vote on the dossier in plenary in April 2014. However, a lack of agreement between member states will make it extremely difficult to find a compromise between the two co-legislators."
Man charged over scissor lift escapade
Man charged over scissor lift escapade 14 Sep 2023 - Adelaide, SA, Australia - 1 min read
ERA ponders Machinery Regulation 
ERA ponders Machinery Regulation  18 Aug 2022 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
EU proposes new machine regulations
EU proposes new machine regulations 6 May 2021 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Previously about:
European construction equipment industry optimistic News Story - 18 Mar 2021 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Industry urges EU to move on market surveillance News Story - 30 Jan 2014 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Industry calls on EU parliament to boost market surveillance News Story - 11 Apr 2013 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Movers & shakers News Story - 1 Mar 2018 - 2 min read
Industry urges EU to move on market surveillance News Story - 30 Jan 2014 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Industry calls on EU parliament to boost market surveillance News Story - 11 Apr 2013 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Industry urges EU to move on market surveillance News Story - 30 Jan 2014 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Industry calls on EU parliament to boost market surveillance News Story - 11 Apr 2013 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
New international associations committee advances industry News Story - 27 Sep 2007 - MILWAUKEE, WI, United States - 1 min read
Industry urges EU to move on market surveillance News Story - 30 Jan 2014 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Industry calls on EU parliament to boost market surveillance News Story - 11 Apr 2013 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Getting To Know Frank van Dijck News Story - 17 Oct 2024 - Istanbul, Turkey - 3 min read
Labour challenges loom in 2024 News Story - 28 Dec 2023 - 10 min read
ERA welcomes Stage V delay News Story - 25 Jun 2020 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

PREMIUM business

VETTER Industrie GmbH
The world's most comprehensive range of forks and the most intelligent sensor fork for more safety and efficiency.

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.

Words of support …

Thanks to advertising with Forkliftaction, GemOne has experienced a significant enhancement in our online presence. Working with Forkliftaction has enabled us to boost engagement with our targeted audience, resulting in an increase in information requests and downloads of valuable materials from our website. Forkliftaction has consistently delivered outstanding results, helping us to effectively connect with the right audience.

Justine Lootens, CEO

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.

Inside The News
As part of Forkliftaction’s 25th anniversary celebrations, we have dug into the archive and, over the next year, will be highlighting a carefully curated selection of historical stories we have published over this time... Continue reading

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.