Photokina 2008: I3A Participates in Global Imaging Industry’s Statements to European Community Regarding Unfair Tariff Imposition

The International Imaging Industry Association (I3A, the leading global association for the imaging industry; http://www.i3a.org) stood this week with 19 imaging industry organizations from around the world to request that the European Communities (EC) reconsider recent tariff decisions that the industry perceives to be unfairly imposed.

Two statements were issued at a press conference held at the photokina trade show (http://www.photokina-cologne.com/) that is taking place this week in Cologne, Germany. Full text of the statements and the names of the signatories can be seen on the I3A Web site, http://www.i3a.org/2008/09/24/i3a-on-eu-tariff-decisions/.

“I3A is always ready to represent the interests of our members with the EC or any governmental entity worldwide, to ensure that trade issues are dealt with in a fair and just manner,” said I3A President Lisa Walker. “It is inspiring to make common cause with organizations representing so many facets of our international industry. The efforts of this group have already saved manufacturers millions of Euros in reduced tariffs.”

In the first statement, entitled “Request for observing the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) on the IT products eligible for the duty-free treatment,” the industry associations request that the European Communities (EC) fairly observe the concessions granted following the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of the World Trade Organization, in which the EC committed to eliminate duties and other charges on all Information Technology (IT) products listed in the Annexes to the ITA, and not to arbitrarily and unilaterally adopt classifications that result in the dutiable treatment of those products.

The second statement, entitled “Concern about possible price increase by 3 years retroactive effects of classification regulation in the European market,” requests that the customs authorities of EC Member States not apply tariff classification regulations retroactively.

I3A will keep its members informed about the progress of these requests to the EC.

About the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A)

I3A’s vision is to enable the use of imaging to simplify and enrich people’s lives through visual experiences that connect generations, communities, information and services. I3A drives the global imaging industry towards this future by bringing members together to create standards and collaborate on initiatives that advance the industry and remove barriers to growth.

I3A is an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization, serving as secretariat for the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 42 (ISO/TC42) on Photography, and as administrator for the USA Technical Advisory Group for this committee. Information about I3A can be found at http://www.i3a.org or by phone at 914-285-4933.

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