MOSCOW, RUSSIA - An International Conference Russia – Customs Union – European Union "Technical regulation, Standardization, Conformity assessment: achievements, challenges and prospects" organized by OAO. Jointly with EU Commission, it was held at WTC Moscow in February. It gathered nearly 500 participants representing of authorities, expert community, business, industry associations? chambers of commerce and industry and thousands of online viewers on the World Trade Center and "Russia in WTO" Special Project web-sites.Conference "Russia – Customs Union – EU" became the first joint undertaking of Russia and European Union of this level that indicates the willingness for constructive dialogue between the EU, CU and Russia. At the Conference the discussion revolved around the approaches to elimination of barriers in mutual trade with the help of technical regulation tools. The experience of the European Union in the area of market supervision, particularly in enforcement of mandatory requirements of directives and Regulations, caused great interest. The participants of the Conference discussed the ways of implementation of the Cooperation agreement between Rosstandart and CEN/CENELEC, the status of draft Federal law «Standardization in the Russian Federation» as well as the impact of the reform of Russian accreditation system on the elimination of trade barriers. 

Opening the Conference Vladimir Salamatov, General director of WTC Moscow, Chair of the Community council at Rosaccreditation reminded about the important task of building a free trade zone from Lisbon to Vladivostok set by the President of Russia."Due to technical regulation we came closer to high norms and standards of the European Union," – Vladimir Salamatov emphasized, "This event is a unique opportunity to move further along the way of achieving mutual understanding with European partners within the framework of the constructive dialogue in the run-up to the Russia – EU Summit in June of 2014 in Sochi."

Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union Vygaudas Ušackas thanked the World Trade Center and personally Vladimir Salamatov for the organization of the event, which in his view came timely at this phase of EU, CU and Russia relations. The Ambassador noted that convergence of technical regulations and standards is an excellent example of markets integration and market liberalization which will benefit all.

The First Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Gleb Nikitin stated that the 40-year-long experience of successful functioning of the European Union is very valuable in the circumstances of preparation for establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union. "Bringing the legislation and regulatory practices in compliance with the WTO requirements including the area of technical regulation builds the foundation for strategic partnership between Russia and the EU and sets the direction towards more competitive open-type market economy," – Deputy Minister noted.

Antti Peltomäki, Deputy Director General of the Directorate – General of Entreprise and Industry of the EU Commission, is sure that the convergence of technical regulation systems will pave access to the EU market for the Russian industrial players.  Activities within the Customs Union framework to establish mandatory requirements are a step towards subsequent integration, – Valery Koreshkov, Member of the Board (Minister) for technical regulation of the Eurasian Economic Commission, believes. "We want closer mutual cooperation in technical regulation to help to foresee our actions, and then we would not have to harmonize, standardize and implement additional procedures, and we could immediately consider best practices," – he emphasized.

For more information on this article, please contact Yulia S. Ivanova, WTC Moscow, at YSIvanova@wtcmoscow.ru.