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Building a reliable framework for transatlantic data flows

25 May 2023
All Committees
Digital Economy

Thursday, 25 May marks the fifth anniversary of the European General Data Protection Regulation. This milestone serves as a strong reminder of the importance of having a stable and workable regulatory environment for what has become the lifeblood of our economy: data transfers. However, the Court of Justice of the European Union’s decision to invalidate the EU-US Privacy Shield in 2020 has has created uncertainty for transferring personal data across the Atlantic. It is time for the EU and the US to find a sustainable replacement and establish the EU-US Data Privacy Framework – here’s how

Addressing industry concerns on the Product Liability Directive

25 May 2023
All Committees
Consumer affairs

Discussions around the Product Liability Directive must not to be rushed to avoid harming innovation in the technology sector. In order to craft a proportionate consumer protection framework, AmCham EU and eight other organisations have signed a letter outlining industry concerns that the Commission must address. Read the joint statement for more on our concerns and recommendations. 

AmCham EU confirms new Chair of the Communications Group

24 May 2023
All Committees

AmCham EU would like to congratulate Victoria Main (SEC Newgate EU), who has been confirmed as the new Chair of the Communications Group and Member of the Board of Directors for a two- year mandate. We welcome Victoria to her new role, and look forward to working with her. The confirmation election is following the resignation of outgoing Board member Leah Charpentier (former First Solar). AmCham EU expresses our sincere thanks for her valuable contribution to the Board over the past nearly four years. The official handover took place at our plenary meeting on Tuesday, 23 May

Industry raises concerns over the EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services

23 May 2023
All Committees
Digital Economy

AmCham EU, along with 12 other organisations, calls for a swift adoption of a workable and non-discriminatory EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme (EUCS). Transparency, stakeholder involvement, digital sovereignty requirements and clarity with other EU legislation are just some of the areas that must be addressed. Any EU cybersecurity certification scheme should focus on technical measures to strengthen security and resiliency and, it should rely on and be aligned with consensus-based international standards that have proven to be efficient by way of broad industry adoption. Read more in the joint business statement

Driving transatlantic digital development

23 May 2023
All Committees
Digital Economy

How can the EU and US build closer ties in the digital sphere? Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission joined us on Tuesday, 23 May, for a discussion on how the transatlantic relationship can drive the digital transition. Data flows, digital services and e-commerce are just some of the many opportunities to build a closer relationship across the Atlantic. 

Leadership Update

17 May 2023
Digital Economy
Environment
Healthcare
Transport, Energy & Climate

AmCham EU is pleased to announce recent election results and welcome these new and re-elected leaders. We wish successful terms to Jérémy Fouriau (HP Inc.); Luca Ibelli (Procter & Gamble); Fanny van der Loo (Edwards Lifesciences); Natasa Sbrizaj (3M); and Antonella Sopranzetti (ExxonMobil) who were elected in February. In March we announced the elections of Jean-Marc Leclerc (IBM) and Emilia Valbum (3M). 

The Secretariat would also like to thank those who are stepping down for the extraordinary work they completed during their terms: Sophia Chrysopoulou (The Coca-Cola Company), Marija Dabrisiute (formerly BCW), Emilia Valbum (3M), who continues as Vice-Chair, Transport, Energy and Climate Committee; and Christelle Verstraeten (formerly ChargePoint). 

More details about the leadership changes mentioned above can be found here.   

Joint business preliminary statement on the Union Customs Code Reform Package

17 May 2023
All Committees
Customs & Trade Facilitation

Striking a balance between trade simplification and enforcement will make the customs union a driver of future competitiveness for the EU. To this end, AmCham EU, along with 13 other signatories, supports the publication of the Union Customs Code Reform Package on Wednesday, 17 May. Compatibility with WTO rules, uniform application and the close involvement of trade representatives will be key in ensuring the reform reaches its full potential. Read more in the joint business statement.

AmCham EU heads across the pond with AmChams in Europe

16 May 2023
All Committees
Transatlantic

From Sunday, 7 May to Friday, 12 MaySusan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU participated in a delegation of AmChams in Europe to the United States, in her capacity as Chairwoman of the network. Thibaut L’Ortye, Director of Public Affairs, AmCham EU also joined the trip which brought together  representatives from 25+ AmChams. The group met with leading US stakeholders, including Jose Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, US Department of State; Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce and Suzanne Clark, President and CEO, US Chamber of Commerce; to discuss the importance of the transatlantic relationship, the competitiveness of Europe, energy and other global challenges.  

Securing supply chains with the Critical Raw Materials Act

11 May 2023
All Committees
Responsible Business Conduct

The European Union’s Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act is a vital part of its Green Deal Industrial Plan, as CRMs are essential components in the green and digital transitions. By remaining flexible in defining CRMs, standardising environmental calculations and investing in recycling, the EU would aid companies in developing clean technology and bolster Europe’s attractiveness. Additionally, by pursuing international partnerships with likeminded countries, such as the US, the EU can build resilient CRM supply chains. To aid in building an effective piece of legislation, US companies stand ready to provide any additional input. Read how we can develop clean technology and bolster Europe’s attractiveness through CRM's. 

Covering the Cyber Resilience Act in Strasbourg

11 May 2023
All Committees
Digital Economy

On Tuesday, 9 May, AmCham EU’s Digital Economy Committee visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France to discuss the Cyber Resilience Act. Meeting with the file’s rapporteur Morten Løkkegaard, MEP (RE, DK) and shadow rapporteurs Adam Bielan, MEP (ECR, PL); Bart Groothuis, MEP (RE, NL) and Henna Virkkunen, MEP (EPP, FIN), delegates voiced concerns around the scope of the file, incident reporting and the transition period. By remaining proactive and open, MEPs can address industry concerns and increase European global attractiveness. 

Achieving simpler reporting requirements

10 May 2023
All Committees

American businesses support the objectives of sustainability reporting in line with the EU´s ambitious climate targets. However, the anticipated complexity of the draft European Sustainability Standards (ESRS) under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive presents a challenge. Businesses need a reduction in reporting requirements and further alignment with global baselines, which would facilitate the successful implementation of the ESRS in practice. Our letter to Mairead McGuinness, European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union, presents both context about this issue and proposals for streamlining the sustainability reporting. 

Ensuring operational resilience in financial sector through clarity

8 May 2023
All Committees
Financial Services

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is crucial to ensuring digital operational resilience and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) security in the financial sector. However, for industry to successfully implement the new rules, several concerns should be addressed. Businesses need further clarity on the level of aggregation within a Group, designation of ICT third-party service providers, incident reporting and consistency with other EU legislations. Read how the three European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) can ensure legal certainty and help industry to prepare for the new rules.  

How the transatlantic relationship thrived in 2022

3 May 2023
All Committees
Transatlantic

2022 was a tumultuous year: the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions and energy concerns are just some of the issues that underlined the year and stressed the transatlantic relationship. Luckily, close cooperation and a shared purpose allowed both sides of the Atlantic to thrive where otherwise they couldn’t. Read how by building closer ties, both parties came out stronger and continued to grow throughout 2022 in the latest article on Thriving Together.  

Supporting economic attractiveness with the EU Data Act

3 May 2023
All Committees
Digital Economy

A successful EU Data Act proposal will create a thriving data economy for companies in Europe. But unclear definitions and a priority on speed over quality is stopping the text from reaching its full potential. By making changes across the areas of cloud switching and interoperability, data sharing, international safeguards and transfers and retroactive applicability, the EU can avoid economic consequences for industry and support Europe’s data economy.  

Achieving better health across the EU

2 May 2023
All Committees
Healthcare

The European Health Data Space (EHDS) has the potential to improve patient outcomes across the EU and build on Europe's innovation capabilities in the healthcare space. However, to achieve these ambitions, policymakers must ensure the initiative provides the necessary intellectual property (IP) protection, appropriate data flow possibilities and a structure for the development of a single market for digital health services and products. Read the details in our position paper.

Launching European Diversity Month

28 Apr 2023
All Committees
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Speaking at the opening event of European Diversity Month on Friday, 28 April, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU, covered why having a diverse workforce is vital to a company’s success and how getting involved in initiatives like EMPOWER HER translates into real change. Taking part in the first panel of the day, speakers highlighted that having a wide range of backgrounds across all levels of an organisation is the easiest way to overcome economic challenges. Follow the conversations using #EUDiversityMonth throughout May and share any diversity success stories you have.  

Celebrating women in IP this World IP Day

26 Apr 2023
All Committees
Intellectual Property

This World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2023, we’re supporting women who are shaping a better world. That’s why on Wednesday, 26 April, we demonstrated how closing the IP gender gap benefits everyone in society. The event, hosted in collaboration with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), featured a fireside chat and panel discussion on how to make IP systems more equitable through a more inclusive approach to policy. Highlighting talented women from around the world sets an example and encourages more women to participate in IP.  

A milestone for Europe’s pharmaceutical legislation

26 Apr 2023
All Committees
Healthcare

The proposals for the revision of the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation published on Wednesday, 26 April, represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity. While AmCham EU supports the modernisation of the legislation, it must ensure predictability and attractive conditions that encourage further investments.

European sustainability reporting in practice

25 Apr 2023
All Committees
Financial Services

How can business prepare for the upcoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)? On Tuesday, 25 March, AmCham EU explored this question, hearing from policymakers and industry insiders during a panel discussion. The attention was on how both groups can work together to make EU sustainability reporting work. Moving to the fireside chat, attendees heard from Jean-Paul Servais, Chairman, Financial Services and Markets Authority, on how consistency can be ensured between the CSRD and other parts of the sustainable finance agenda.  

Laying the foundation for the future of the health union

21 Apr 2023
All Committees
Healthcare

Investment, innovation and cooperation were the main themes on Friday, 21 April, at our event At a turning point: Healthcare systems in Central and Eastern Europe. Executives from the life sciences sector and policymakers discussed how to prepare Europe for the future while highlighting the human cost of inadequate access to healthcare. A presentation by the Economist Impact dove into their latest report and explored solutions to healthcare issues in the region. Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, European Commission, capped off the day by explaining how solidarity is key to building a strong health union.  

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