07 Nov BSEF present and speak at workshop on “Sustainable Ways to Respond to TBT Issues” in Vietnam

On 21 September 2023, BSEF co-organized and attended the “Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Impact on Export of BFR products to US and Canada” workshop in Hà Nội, Vietnam.

In this context, BSEF Secretary General Michael Hack, Chairman of the BSEF Board and Albemarle Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Bob Miller and Honorary Professor of Economic Law at Saarland University (Germany) Mr. Reinhard Quick had the opportunity to present and speak in front of a broad audience of high-profile participants about Canada’s proposed ban of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE)[1] and Washington State’s proposed restrictions on organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs), More in detail, the workshop focused on the possible negative implications of Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)[2] on Vietnam’s and the global electrical and electronic products (E&E) industry, with a particular focus on exports and competitiveness.

The workshop could count on a strong participation (more than 50 attendees) from relevant agencies, departments, and the private sector, including representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), the Vietnam Electronic Industries Associations (VEIA), the Chemical Society of Hanoi and the Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem).

Characterized by open and fruitful discussions, the event successfully brought the attention on the importance of ensuring that regulatory trends are fair, and evidence based and saw all parties reaffirming their commitment to work together in the future on these issues.

We thank all the participants and look forward to meeting again!

Footnotes:

[1] DBDPE is brominated flame retardant (BFR) currently used in a wide range of products (i.e. lubricants, polymers, inks and toners)

[2] TBTs are mandatory technical regulations and voluntary standards that define specific characteristics that a product should have, such as its size, shape, design, labelling, performance etc.