Those who'se interest is bounded by where the amps, volts, ohms and bauds go, and how to fill out the appropriate forms to obtain approval, should stop reading here. ================================================================= Whereas, standards-related measures, in the board room, are next in popularity to cold, wet toilet paper.
Whereas, CEOs of the major global corporations will be exposed to a series of recommendations having to do with standards-related measures at the TABD meeting in Rome. Whereas, these noble patriarchs may pose questions back home at the farm when they return from Rome. Whereas, those questions may wind up in your laps. I have attached a summary of what these people will be asked to recommend. If you need further help, please contact your trade association: Ciao, Vic Boersma ([email protected]) ================================================================ Transatlantic Business Dialogue, 1997 TACS Transatlantic Advisory Committee on Standardization and Conformity Assessment Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, Information Technology Sectors (EETIS) Recommendations for Eliminating Regulatory and Standards-Related Trade Barriers and for improving the Global Standards Development Process for approval by the CEOs in the TABD Rome Conference 6 and 7 Nov. 1997 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND KEY PRIORITIES This paper represents the consensus of U.S. and European industry representing the electrical, electronic, telecommunications and information technology sectors. It discusses changes required in regulatory and standards policies to better position the U.S. and Europe in leveraging the benefits of the emerging Global Information Infrastructure (GII.) It specifically focusses on changes associated with products and services subject to government regulation in the U.S. or Europe. Industry in both the EU and U.S. are in agreement that rapid implementation of recommendations in this paper will stimulate productivity, economic growth, and job creation on both sides of the Atlantic. The paper builds upon the principles and recommendations presented in previous EETIS publications, starting with the first discussions in Sevilla, Spain. In particular, it builds on the submittal to the Chicago TABD conference. This report complements and extends that publication by identifying the following key priorities for action: MRA IMPLEMENTATION: We urge signatories and related agencies to take all necessary steps towards rapid and full implementation of the EU-U.S. MRAs concluded in June 1997. However, the implementation of the MRAs must not lead to an extension of regulation to currently unregulated areas, in particular with regard to products in the electrical sector. CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT AGREEMENT WITHIN WTO AGENDA ON THE ITA AND SUPPLIER'S DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY: We recommend, as part of the discussions on the ITA at the WTO, the conclusion of a Conformity Assessment Agreement (CAA) on product testing, certification and marking among the signatories of the ITA. The principle of "One Standard - One Test - Supplier's Declaration of Conformity" as described in the TABD , should be the basis for such a CAA. The Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, as described in the TABD CAPM paper, should be recognized as a means equivalent to third party certification to indicate conformity with essential requirements. The CAA should be addressed within the ITA discussions in a manner that does not delay immediate progress on tariff related matters. TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES: Telecommunications services have been an important part of the EETIS work since Sevilla. As a top priority for the Rome conference for this sector, EETIS urges the signatories of the WTO Agreement on Basic Telecommunication Services to rapidly and fully implement the Agreement and its key principles. We recommend discussion between the U.S. and EU to increase cooperation on regulatory policy in the wireless domain, such as licensing guidelines, the optimal allocation of spectrum, as well as facilitating greater reciprocal acceptance, in the process of international standardization, of standards developed by the other region. THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS IN GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES: Governments should recognize that national regulations should be based, whenever possible, on international standards. Any other government activities, such as public procurement, should also be based, whenever possible, on standards developed by the private sector with first priority given to internationally accepted standards. SECURITY FOR THE GII: Industry and governments should work together to rapidly establish encryption policies based on the OECD Guidelines which have been developed in a cooperative effort including Europe and U.S.. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: We urge the EU and U.S. to avoid fragmentation of the transatlantic marketplace. This should include introducing consistent national environmental regulations and avoiding inconsistent national or regional labeling programs. PROPOSED ISO MANAGEMENT STANDARDS ON PRIVACY: The EU and U.S. should work with industry and consumers to understand the necessary approach to address concerns about privacy including legislation, technology and what role, if any, standards should play. ================================================================ Participants: Alcatel; American Electronics Association; Bull; AMP, Incorporated; ECTEL; AT&T; Ericsson; Ameritech; ETSI; Bell Atlantic; EUROBIT; Business Software Alliance; Europacable; Computer Systems Policy Project; ICL; Digital Equipment Corporation ORGALIME; Electronic Industries Association; Philips; PTT Telecom Netherlands; Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association; Siemens; EDS; Telecom Italia; GII Communications; Thomson; Global One; UNICE; GTW Associates; ZVEI; Hewlett-Packard Company; Hughes Electronics; IBM Corporation; Information Technology Industry Council; Iridium; Eastman-Kodak Company; Lucent Technologies; MCI; Motorola; National Association Manufacturers; National Electrical Manufacturers Association; PanAmSat; Oracle; Rockwell Automation; SEMI; Telecommunications Industry Association; Tenneco; Unisys; US-European Chamber of Commerce; US West; Warner Lambert; WorldCom; Xerox
