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Statement on the Product Liability Directive

6 Oct 2023
All Committees
Consumer affairs

In European courts, the burden of proof for any claim generally rests on the party who makes the claim in question. This is a vital part of our European civil justice system. Proof of the facts necessary to establish a cause of action will typically rest on a plaintiff, whilst proof of defense will lie on the defendant. The proposal to review the Directive on liability for defective products (Product Liability Directive (PLD) includes several important reforms which will improve the product liability framework for consumers and business alike.

AmCham EU confirms new Chair of Policy Group

5 Oct 2023
All Committees

AmCham EU would like to congratulate Andrea Chiarello (Pfizer), who has been elected as the new Chair of Policy Group and Member of the Board of Directors for a two-year mandate. We welcome Andrea to his new role and look forward to working with him. The election period followed the resignation of outgoing Board member Cristina Falcone (UPS), who relocated to the United States. AmCham EU expresses our sincere thanks for her valuable contribution to the Board throughout her mandate.  

Business resilience and the European elections

4 Oct 2023
All Committees

On Tuesday, 3 October, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU, joined a panel organised by FiscalNote to discuss priorities following the upcoming European elections. Susan spoke about what business resilience will look like following the elections and what Europe can do to stay on the forefront of global policy and industry development when it comes to data privacy, energy security and supply chains. She also covered topics most important to AmCham EU’s agenda such as sustainability, trade and the digital transition.  

Enhancing transatlantic integration with the US Department of State

3 Oct 2023
All Committees

AmCham EU met with José Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, US Department of State on Friday, 30 September. The meeting was attended by Chairs and Vice-Chairs from six committees, showcasing how horizontal the discussion was. During the meeting, the group covered the role of the private sector in Ukraine's recovery, the current Commission's legislative agenda and the likely focus of the next Commission as well as insights on the process around the EU-US Trade and Technology Council. 

The role of business centres in Slovakia’s economy

2 Oct 2023
All Committees

On Thursday, 28 September AmCham Slovakia held its annual ‘Business Centers Conference’ to bring attention to the important role business centres play in the Slovakian economy. Business service centres offer accounting, information technology and human resources support to companies and represent the third biggest sector of the Slovak economy. Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU, contributed to the conference via video and spoke about encouraging sustainable and innovative change to ensure stability across all of Slovakia’s industries. 

Celebrating 60 years of best practices with the AmChams in Europe network

2 Oct 2023
All Committees

In late September, 55 representatives from 35 American Chambers of Commerce attended the AmChams in Europe (ACE) Best Practices Conference in Athens, Greece. Susan Danger, CEO, Maximiliano Santy, Senior Operations Director and Françoise Soudaz, Senior External Relations Manager from AmCham EU, attended to exchange best practices and knowledge, as well as to celebrate 60 years of the ACE network. Conference participants discussed issues impacting AmChams from across Europe and the wider region. 

Shaping the future of life sciences in Europe

26 Sep 2023
All Committees
Healthcare

What does the future hold for Europe's life sciences sector? On Tuesday, 19 September, AmCham EU explored this question, hearing policy and industry perspectives during a panel discussion. The attention was on recent legislative changes within the EU and the challenges they may pose to transatlantic cooperation on health policy. By innovating together, the EU and US can set a promising future for the life sciences sector, enhancing health policy and advancing global well-being. 

Safeguarding the cloud revolution with an effective EUCS

26 Sep 2023
All Committees
Digital Economy

By 2030 the EU aims to achieve 75% cloud adoption for its business, but as we become more reliant on cloud computing we also open ourselves up to more cybersecurity concerns. Now more than ever we need an EU-wide framework that provides the safety guarantees that encourage us to expand cloud networks, enhance competitiveness and foment innovation. While the EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services (EUCS) may be the answer, it currently lacks a clear scope and includes discriminatory sovereignty requirements which have severely worried stakeholders. Read how the EU can establish an appropriate cloud cybersecurity framework in our latest blog post. 

Discussing Ukraine's Reconstruction with AmCham EU’s Board

25 Sep 2023
All Committees

On Friday, 22 September, AmCham EU’s Board of Directors welcomed Anna Jarosz-Friis, Acting Director, Ukraine Service and Wolfgang Nozar, Head of Unit, Fundamentals, Rule of Law, Anti-fraud and Financial Management, Directorate-General for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission. The discussions covered a range of current issues, particularly around the role US business can play in the reconstruction of Ukraine, as well as the status of Ukraine's entry into the EU.  

Sparking a digital policy dialogue

25 Sep 2023
All Committees
Digital Economy

On Friday, 22 September, AmCham EU’s Digitial Economy Committee hosted a meeting to hear from senior policymakers from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. The guest speakers covered key policy topics like artificial intelligence, the European Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services, the Data Act, the EU Cyber Solidarity Act, the Cyber Resilience Act and the EU-US Cyber Dialogue. The discussion emphasised the importance of engagement between industry and policymakers to secure alignment and future cooperation on digital issues between Europe and the US.  

Toasting our new office space with Ambassador Mark Gitenstein

20 Sep 2023
All Committees

On Tuesday, 19 September, AmCham EU held a rentrée reception to celebrate the opening of our new offices, where we had the honour of welcoming Mark Gitenstein, US Ambassador to the EU. He offered a few words on the importance of cooperation and a strong transatlantic relationship, as well as how the private sector can support the rebuilding of Ukraine. In front of AmCham EU members and staff from the US Mission, the office was officially opened with a ceremonial cutting of the ribbon.  

Embracing European Mobility Week with a commitment to sustainable transport

19 Sep 2023
All Committees
Environment

This year’s European Mobility Week, from 16 September until 22 September, is the perfect opportunity to focus on the important role business plays in the journey to decarbonise transportation. The successful transformation of Europe’s entire transport sector hinges on cooperation between the public and private sector and a holistic perspective that accounts for challenges as well as innovation. US companies stand firm in their dedication to climate neutrality and the European Green Deal. Let's build a greener, more sustainable future together! 

Fostering global trade and green solutions at the WTO Public Forum

19 Sep 2023
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

From Wednesday, 13 September to Friday, 15 September, an AmCham EU delegation visited Geneva, Switzerland to take part in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Public Forum. During the trip, delegates met with representatives from a wide range of WTO members to discuss the need for an open and rules-based trade system, WTO reform and the extension of the e-commerce moratorium, among other key topics. The trip was capped off with a panel organised by AmCham EU, focusing on the difference between legitimate environmental policies and green protectionism.  

Associations’ role in shaping transatlantic dialogue on sustainability legislation

19 Sep 2023
All Committees

On Monday, 18 September, Thibaut L’Ortye, Public Affairs Director, AmCham EU, moderated the European Society of Association Executives (ESEA) panel titled 'A Transatlantic Look at Sustainability Legislation’. The discussion centred on the key role associations play in the sustainability efforts of both industry and government on both sides of the Atlantic. Prompted by his questions, the panel shared their views on the key policy areas for their membership and the importance of communications campaigns in connecting the public with their work.  

Reaching a healthier Europe with AmCham Slovakia

14 Sep 2023
All Committees

AmCham Slovakia hosted the 'Healthy Future Conference' on Tuesday, 12 September, addressing the status of the Slovakian healthcare system and outlining key priorities for the incoming government. Jelka Drašković, Director, Public Policy, MSD and Issue Lead, AmCham EU spoke on the importance of sustainable financing for healthcare, positioning healthcare as an investment, rather than an economic burden. She drew on the findings of a recent study on healthcare systems in Central and Eastern Europe from Economist Impact commissioned by AmCham EU. The conference explored critical healthcare topics, including the significance of mental health investments, strategies to enhance the journey of cancer patients and the recommended priorities for future policymakers. 

Assessing the Spanish Presidency  

13 Sep 2023
All Committees

We’re almost to the halfway point of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, but how are they faring? With work being done on the green and digital transitions, key areas are being targeted to boost European attractiveness. However, the external environment remains unclear and more work can be done to harmonise the Single Market on its 30th anniversary. With just over three months left in their mandate, the Spanish Presidency can make the most of this time by following our recommendations to achieve a strong, green and digital economic recovery.  

Invested in Europe: how Oracle is transforming the European tech industry

12 Sep 2023
All Committees

How can we provide the diverse talent the European technology industry needs? Oracle answers this question with a range of initiatives aimed at upskilling underrepresented communities. Launched in 2017, Oracle4Girls seeks to inspire girls in Spain between the ages of four and 16 to become involved in STEM. Similarly, Reinventa-Tech was set up in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic to train women to fill available technical roles. Finally, Generation Oracle provides people from all backgrounds with the opportunity and resources to break into the technology industry. Each of these important programmes is changing the status quo and making the digital workplace more diverse.  

Balancing environmental goals and global fairness in trade

7 Sep 2023
All Committees

Join us at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Public Forum on Friday, 15 September to learn how to avoid green protectionism and address the barriers to an inclusive green transition. Taking part in the WTO’s ‘It is Time for Action’, we are bringing together speakers like Emanuele Frezza, (UPS Europe) Vice-Chair, Trade Committee, AmCham EU; Syahril Syazli Ghazali, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the WTO and Colette van der Ven, Founder and Director, TULIP Consulting to discuss how to differentiate between legitimate environmental policies and illegitimate green protectionism. Moderating the session is Bryce Baschuk, World Trade Reporter, Bloomberg News. Tune in to hear how we can reach a fairer approach to global trade.

What the Single Market meant for the EU

6 Sep 2023
All Committees

With the creation of the Single Market on 1 January, 1993, the EU unlocked many of the freedoms we enjoy today. The Single Market became a reality, and with it the free movement of goods, services, capital and people. It was transformative and continues to shape how people and businesses operate throughout the region. The Single Market spurred companies to take a greater interest in the EU and sparked conversation drawing Member States together. As the voice for American industry in Europe, our role only became more crucial in making sure the transatlantic business voice was heard. Take a trip down memory lane and find out how we have grown alongside the Single Market.

Invested in Europe: paving the way for water efficiency with DuPont

4 Sep 2023
All Committees

In Fredericia, Denmark, DuPont is helping to change the way Carlsberg Group uses water to brew beer. DuPont and its partners implemented a state-of-the-art Total Water Management treatment plant at Carlsberg’s Fredericia brewery and connected processes at the wastewater plant, water recovery plant and in production. With these innovations, they reduced water consumption by 500,000m3 annually and produced biogas that accounts for 15% of the heat used on site. Recognised by the Global Water Awards in 2022, DuPont may have helped to make Fredericia the world’s most water-efficient brewery.

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