On June 6, 2019 in Bucharest (Romania), the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) re-signed with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement in order to facilitate the implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the related Protocol on the mutual acceptance of the results of conformity assessment. A first agreement was signed with SCC in 2016.

Thanks to this mutual recognition of certificates and reports issued by recognized (accredited) Conformity Assessment Bodies, costs and time to market for European businesses can be reduced for products destined for Canada. The European Union is Canada’s second-biggest trading partner after the United States, accounting for 9.6 % of its trade in goods with the world in 2016. Canada accounted for almost 2 % of the EU’s total external trade in goods in 2016.

Through this agreement, representatives of SCC (Chantal Guay, Chief Executive Officer) and EA (Dr. Andreas Steinhorst, Executive Secretary) reinforced both institutions’ will to strengthen EU-Canada relationship and smoothen technical barriers.

“SCC is committed to helping Canadian businesses compete globally by reducing technical barriers to trade linked to regulations, standards, and testing and certification procedures. Our close relationship with EA is key to delivering on that commitment” declared Chantal Guay, SCC

“EA is pleased to renew this agreement with SCC to continue implementing CETA’s conformity assessment protocol. We look forward to continuing this important work to remove technical obstacles to trade between Canada and the European Union” added Andreas Steinhorst, EA.

EU-Canada Summit, Montreal (Canada)

On 17-18 July 2019, EU and Canadian leaders meet in Montreal to intensify EU-Canada relations and discuss future areas of cooperation. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, will represent the EU. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will also participate in the summit. Canada will be represented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Both sides are expected to commit to the full implementation of the CETA.

To get detailed information on:
– the BCA signed between EA and SCC, click here to read the brochure “CETA Agreement and Conformity Assessment Accreditation: a tool to enhance trade between the European Union and Canada”,
– the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), click here