US-EU Trade Pact Should Use WTO ‘Principles’ for Removing Trade Barriers, UL Says

“Successful negotiation” of a U.S.-EU trade agreement would need to build on World Trade Organization “principles” for removing technical trade barriers, safety consulting and certification company UL told the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in comments in docket USTR-2018-0035 submitted to help frame U.S. negotiating positions in future trade talks. UL especially wants USTR to be sure a U.S.-EU trade agreement preserves “regulators’ decision making authority,” it said. UL also urges USTR to “consider regulatory cooperation solutions beyond mutual recognition agreements as these are often problematic in implementation.” A successful trade agreement should “enhance the business and investment climate” for services in UL's wheelhouse, including “testing, inspection and certification, that help companies deliver on innovation, compliance, and market access needs as a means to reduce regulatory barriers,” it said. Many other companies and groups offered input in the same docket (see 1812110013).