{"id":1746,"date":"2026-03-23T08:28:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T08:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/?post_type=trade-perspectives&#038;p=1746"},"modified":"2026-03-23T08:28:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T08:28:57","slug":"23-march-2026","status":"publish","type":"trade-perspectives","link":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/trade-perspectives\/23-march-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"23 March 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"#EU\">The EU\u2019s\u00a0<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>: Towards EU origin requirements in strategic sectors with significant implications for trade and supply chains?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#Halal\">Regulating\u00a0<em>Halal<\/em>: Indonesia\u2019s\u00a0<em>Circular Letter\u00a0<\/em>on registering foreign\u00a0<em>Halal\u00a0<\/em>certificates for unlisted products and special treatment for the US<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#Food\">Challenging compliance: New EU maximum residue levels for two pesticides that are harmful to bees take effect<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#Legislation\">Recently adopted EU legislation<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"EU\"><strong>The EU\u2019s\u00a0<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>: Towards EU origin requirements in strategic sectors with significant implications for trade and supply chains?<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>By Tobias Dolle, Stella Nalwoga<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>,&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>and Paolo R. Vergano<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 4 March 2026, the European Commission (hereinafter, Commission) presented its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu\/publications\/industrial-accelerator-act_en\"><em>Proposal for a Regulation on establishing a framework of measures for accelerating industrial capacity and decarbonisation in strategic sectors<\/em><\/a>(hereinafter, Industrial Accelerator Act), which aims at \u201c<em>improving the functioning of the internal market by establishing a framework to support the development, competitiveness and resilience of the Union\u2019s manufacturing sector, with a focus on selected strategic sectors<\/em>\u201d, in order to contribute to the EU\u2019s \u201c<em>climate objective, economic security and the creation, retention of, and transition into high-quality jobs<\/em>\u201d. Among other things, the&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>&nbsp;would establish a framework for the application of EU origin and low-carbon requirements for certain products and services, within strategic sectors, in the context of public procurement and public support schemes. Such approach, also seen critically within the Commission and among certain EU Member States, is poised to have significant implications for business sourcing or producing outside of the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article provides an overview of the proposed&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>, focusing on the proposed EU origin criteria and the implications for businesses and EU trading partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Revitalising the EU\u2019s declining manufacturing sector<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Commission frames the Proposal against the backdrop of a declining manufacturing base in the EU, with its share of the EU\u2019s gross domestic product (GDP) having decreased from 17.4% in 2000 to 14.3% in 2024, and the numerous challenges that it is currently facing, including high energy prices, global overcapacities, and costs associated with decarbonisation. The&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act,&nbsp;<\/em>therefore, aims at reversing this trend, and at ensuring that manufacturing represents 20% of the EU\u2019s GDP by 2035.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This overarching objective would be effectuated by,&nbsp;<em>inter alia<\/em>, creating demand for EU origin industrial products through EU public procurement and public support schemes. Given that public procurement amounts to around 15% of the EU\u2019s GDP, the Commission views it as a key lever to \u201c<em>foster economic security and resilience of supply chains<\/em>\u201d, notably by stimulating demand in strategic products and technologies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>The proposed EU origin requirements<\/em><\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Commission\u2019s Proposal foresees the introduction of quantitative EU origin thresholds for concrete, mortar, and aluminium used in specific downstream sectors, namely \u201c<em>buildings, infrastructure and transport<\/em>\u201d, from 1 January 2029, as well as EU origin requirements for electric vehicles, which would apply at a date still to be determined. According to Recital 23 of the proposed Regulation, those requirements would apply to \u201c<em>public supply contracts and in public works, public services contracts and concessions, where those products will be used for activities conducted under those contracts\u201d<\/em>. The measures would operate as local content requirements (hereinafter, LCRs), conditioning access to certain public procurement contracts, and\/or to subsidies or other advantages, to be conferred by EU Member States on meeting minimum thresholds of EU origin materials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 11 of the proposed&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>&nbsp;would require contracting authorities to apply the thresholds laid out in its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu\/document\/download\/99174b0d-bcda-4039-9157-62725439d010_en?filename=Annexes%20to%20the%20proposal.pdf\">Annexes II and III<\/a>&nbsp;in their public procurement procedures. For example, contracting authorities would need to ensure that \u201c<em>aluminium, and any product the performance of which depends mainly on aluminium<\/em>\u201d has \u201c<em>at least 25% of the total volume of aluminium used<\/em>\u201d from EU origin. With respect to \u201c<em>Public procurement procedures of electric vehicles<\/em>\u201d, EU originating status would be obtained by,&nbsp;<em>inter alia<\/em>, assembling the vehicle in the EU or ensuring a \u201c<em>ratio of at least 70% between the total ex-works price of vehicle components (excluding the vehicle battery) originating in the EU and the total ex-works price of all components (excluding the battery)<\/em>\u201d. Article 12 of the proposed&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>would require EU Member States to design and implement public support schemes intended to contribute to the objective of strengthening the EU\u2019s \u201c<em>strategic industrial value chains<\/em>\u201d through EU origin requirements for the covered products. The thresholds set out in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu\/document\/download\/99174b0d-bcda-4039-9157-62725439d010_en?filename=Annexes%20to%20the%20proposal.pdf\">Annexes II and III<\/a>&nbsp;would be applied with respect to the eligibility for the public support schemes<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EU origin is defined in Article 7 of the proposed&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>&nbsp;by reference to the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=CELEX%3A02013R0952-20221212\"><em>Union Customs Code<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;and its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu\/customs\/rules-origin-goods\/non-preferential-rules-origin_en\">non-preferential rules of origin<\/a>&nbsp;(<em>i.e.<\/em>, specific rules delineating the \u201c<em>economic nationality<\/em>\u201d of goods not subject to preferential treatment), meaning that origin would be determined based on where goods were produced, manufactured, or substantially transformed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Consideration of EU commitments in international agreements<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Proposal attempts to reconcile EU origin requirements with the EU\u2019s international obligations by introducing an \u201c<em>equivalence<\/em>\u201d mechanism. Pursuant to Articles 8(1) and 9(1) of the proposed&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>, content originating in third countries that are parties to EU preferential trade agreements (hereinafter, PTAs) or to the&nbsp;<em>World Trade Organization&nbsp;<\/em>(hereinafter, WTO)<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wto.org\/english\/tratop_E\/gproc_e\/gp_gpa_e.htm\"><em>&nbsp;Agreement on Government Procurement<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;(hereinafter, GPA) and&nbsp;where the EU has undertaken commitments under those agreements to grant access to its public procurement market for the products covered by the proposed&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act,<\/em>&nbsp;shall, in principle, be treated as equivalent to EU origin. In practice, businesses sourcing content from EU PTA partners would need to meet the preferential rules of origin set out in the respective PTA. However, a third country may be excluded from the scope of application of these provisions based on any of the following criteria:&nbsp;<em>\u201c(a) that third country has failed to provide national treatment related to Union products or entities; (b) such exclusion is justified to avoid dependencies or any other developments that may threaten the security of supply in the Union of the products in question; (c) such exclusion is justified under any other exception under the applicable agreement<\/em>\u201d. As a result, eligibility for \u201c<em>equivalence<\/em>\u201d could hinge on the Commission\u2019s assessment of countries\u2019 reciprocal treatment of EU products or entities, supply chain reliability, and broader economic security considerations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Consistent with WTO rules?&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In general terms, LCRs imposed in the context of procurement intended for public purposes could be challenged as a violation of the national treatment obligation under Article IV of the GPA, which requires the signatories, including the EU and its Member States, to provide goods, services, and suppliers from other GPA Parties treatment no less favourable than that accorded to domestic counterparts. The same obligation would apply to advantages conferred by governments to private entities conditioned on the use of local inputs&nbsp;<em>vis-\u00e0-vis<\/em>&nbsp;foreign inputs under Article III:4 of the WTO&nbsp;<em>General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade<\/em>&nbsp;1994 and Article 2 of the WTO&nbsp;<em>Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures<\/em>. While the proposed \u201c<em>equivalence<\/em>\u201d mechanism foresees extending favourable treatment to products from GPA Parties, the exclusion of certain countries and the related apparent discretion of the Commission might limit effective compliance with the GPA national treatment obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Financial incentives granted to private entities, which are \u201c<em>contingent, whether solely or as one of several other conditions, upon the use of domestic over imported goods<\/em>\u201d, could also be considered as prohibited subsidies under Article 3.1(b) of the WTO&nbsp;<em>Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.<\/em>&nbsp;These considerations underscore the legal complexity and potential risk of legal challenges that the EU could face under both multilateral and bilateral trade commitments, depending on how the EU Member States would ultimately design and implement the public support schemes foreseen in Article 12 of the proposed&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Implications for global supply chains<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The proposed&nbsp;<em>Industrial Accelerator Act<\/em>&nbsp;would represent a significant evolution in the EU\u2019s approach to industrial policy, by setting EU origin requirements in public procurement and public support schemes. The introduction of such origin requirements raises complex legal and commercial questions, particularly in light of the EU\u2019s WTO and bilateral commitments. Notably, the broad discretion afforded to the Commission to exclude third countries would add a layer of uncertainty for businesses seeking to access the EU public procurement market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Proposal will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU before inter-institutional trilogue negotiations are launched. Reactions by EU Member States have so far been diverse, with some, notably France, already proposing to expand the scope, while others, including Germany, having warned about its protectionist approach. These divisions reflect broader tensions between the EU\u2019s objective of strengthening its manufacturing base and the need to preserve open trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next phase of the legislative process is crucial for interested stakeholders, who should actively engage with policymakers to ensure that policies and market access conditions are structured in a legally sound and commercially viable manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>For any additional information or legal advice on this matter, please contact Paolo R. Vergano&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Halal\"><strong>Regulating\u00a0<em>Halal<\/em>: Indonesia\u2019s\u00a0<em>Circular Letter\u00a0<\/em>on registering foreign\u00a0<em>Halal\u00a0<\/em>certificates for unlisted products and special treatment for the US<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>By Alya Mahira, Imelda Jo Anastasya, and&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Paolo R. Vergano<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Indonesia is gradually implementing mandatory&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification for a wide range of products over an eight-year period from 2026 to 2034. From 17 October 2026, the certification obligation will apply with respect to food and beverages, food additives, cosmetics, and natural medicines. On 20 February 2026, Indonesia\u2019s&nbsp;<em>Halal Product Assurance Agency&nbsp;<\/em>(<em>i.e<\/em>.,&nbsp;<em>Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal<\/em>, hereinafter, BPJPH) issued&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cmsbl.halal.go.id\/uploads\/Surat_Edaran_No_2_Tahun_2026_tentang_Mekanisme_Penentuan_Kategori_Produk_Dalam_Registrasi_SHLN_untuk_Produk_yang_Belum_Tercantum_Dalam_Ketentuan_Jenis_Produk_yang_Wajib_Bersertifikat_Halal_dan_Bahan_yang_Dikecualikan_dari_K_23c07a66fd.pdf\"><em>Circular Letter No. 2 of 2026<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em>(hereinafter, Circular Letter), which provides guidance on the registration of foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certificates for products \u201c<em>not explicitly listed<\/em>\u201d under the product categories referenced in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/halalmui.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Keputusan-Menteri-Agama-RI-No-748-Tahun-2021-Tentang-Jenis-Produk-yang-Wajib-Bersertifikat-Halal.pdf\"><em>Minister of Religious Affairs Decree No. 748 of 2021 on Product Categories Required to Have Halal Certification<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em>(hereinafter, MoRA Decree).&nbsp;In another development related to the&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification requirement, on 19 February 2026,&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;and the US signed the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ustr.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/Press\/Releases\/2026\/02.19.26%20US-IDN%20ART%20Full%20Agreement%20-%20US%20Final%20for%20Website%20sanitized.pdf\"><em>US-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade<\/em><\/a>(hereinafter, ART), under which Indonesia agreed to exempt certain US products from its mandatory&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article provides an overview of the&nbsp;<em>Circular Letter<\/em>, assesses<em>&nbsp;<\/em>the exemption granted to certain US products in light of the&nbsp;<em>World Trade Organization&nbsp;<\/em>(hereinafter, WTO) rules, and considers the implications for businesses and trading partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Indonesia\u2019s legal framework for<\/em><\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<em>Halal certification<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/peraturan.bpk.go.id\/Details\/304896\/pp-no-42-tahun-2024\"><em>Government Regulation No. 42 of 2024 on Implementation in the Field of Halal Product Assurance<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;(hereinafter, GR 42\/2024) requires products&nbsp;listed in the&nbsp;<em>MoRA Decree,<\/em>&nbsp;which enter, circulate, or are traded in Indonesia, to be certified and labelled as&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>(<em>i.e.<\/em>, \u201c<em>permissible<\/em>\u201d or \u201c<em>lawful<\/em>\u201d under Islamic law).&nbsp;The only exemption applies to products categorised as&nbsp;<em>haram<\/em>&nbsp;(<em>i.e.<\/em>, \u201c<em>forbidden<\/em>\u201d under Islamic law),&nbsp;such as pork and alcohol, which may be marketed in Indonesia only if they bear a Non-<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;Statement expressly indicating that they do not meet&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>standards&nbsp;(see&nbsp;<em>Trade Perspectives<\/em>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/trade-perspectives\/9-march-2026\/#Halal\">Issue No. 5 of 9 March 2026<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Foreign<em>&nbsp;Halal<\/em>&nbsp;products may obtain&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification either by applying directly to the BPJPH or through a foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certification body, provided that a mutual recognition agreement (hereinafter, MRA) has been concluded between the foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification body and the BPJPH (see&nbsp;<em>Trade Perspectives<\/em>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/25.11.04-TP-20-2025.pdf\">Issue No. 20 of 3 November 2025<\/a>). So far, more than 100 foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certification bodies have concluded&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bpjph.halal.go.id\/datalhln\/\">MRAs<\/a>&nbsp;with the BPJPH, including bodies from China, from certain EU Member States, and from the US.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Filling the gaps on Halal certification and registration: The Circular Letter&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certificates issued by foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certification bodies recognised by the BPJPH under MRAs must still be registered on Indonesia\u2019s official&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ptsp.halal.go.id\/login\"><em>SiHalal<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;website. In accordance with the applicable&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cmsbl.halal.go.id\/uploads\/Decree_Kepkaban_221_2025_Implementation_Procedure_of_Foreign_Halal_Certificate_Registration_bb95097144.pdf\">rules<\/a>,&nbsp;an application to register a foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certificate must specify the relevant product category.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<em>MoRA Decree<\/em>&nbsp;provides a list of broad product categories requiring<em>&nbsp;Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certification, indicating the more detailed types of products under each category. For example, under the category of fats, oils, and oil emulsions, the products include ghee, virgin oil, and vegetable oils. The&nbsp;<em>Circular Letter<\/em>&nbsp;recognises that \u201c<em>developments in global product innovation<\/em>\u201d may give rise to new derivatives that are not listed within the existing categories in the&nbsp;<em>MoRA Decree<\/em>&nbsp;and, accordingly, provides guidance on the registration of foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certificates for such \u2018<em>novel<\/em>\u2019 products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For products that are not listed in the categories under the&nbsp;<em>MoRA Decree<\/em>, importers must provide the following information to the BPJPH: 1) A&nbsp;<em>Statement Letter<\/em>, which explains,&nbsp;<em>inter alia<\/em>, the product\u2019s ingredients and production process; 2) A completed&nbsp;<em>Material Safety Data Sheet<\/em>, which provides information on a product\u2019s hazards and safe handling, storage, and use; 3) A&nbsp;<em>Certificate of Analysis<\/em>, which confirms that a specific batch of the product meets the required chemical and physical specifications; and\/or 4) Other documents supporting the composition of the ingredients. The Head of the BPJPH will then determine the appropriate product classification within the applicable category&nbsp;and include a reference to it in the&nbsp;<em>MoRA Decree<\/em>. Once this classification is established, the foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certificate may be registered with the BPJPH, allowing the product to be marketed in Indonesia on the basis of the foreign certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although businesses registering foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certificates must prepare additional supporting documents<em>,<\/em>&nbsp;this requirement<em>&nbsp;<\/em>appears reasonable, as it applies only to \u2018<em>novel<\/em>\u2019 products and is required only once. Thereafter, businesses registering foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certificates for the same products would follow the regular registration procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Halal certification exemptions under the US-Indonesia ART: An unfair advantage?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 19 February 2026, in response to the US\u2019&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/04\/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and-persistent-annual-united-states-goods-trade-deficits\/\">imposition<\/a>&nbsp;of additional \u2018<em>reciprocal<\/em>\u2019 tariffs on Indonesia (see&nbsp;<em>TradePerspectives<\/em>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/25.07.28-TP-15-2025-Draft-for-circulation.pdf\">Issue No. 15 of 2025<\/a>), the two countries signed the ART, under which the US agreed to exempt certain Indonesian agricultural and industrial products from its 19% \u2018<em>reciprocal<\/em>\u2019 tariff that applied prior to the US Supreme Court\u2019s ruling on the additional tariffs adopted on the basis of the US\u2019&nbsp;<em>International Emergency Economic Powers Act<\/em>(IEEPA), while Indonesia agreed to remove certain non-tariff barriers, including those related to&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Article 2.9 of Annex III to the ART provides that Indonesia shall exempt certain US products, such as cosmetics and medical devices, as well as&nbsp;containers and transport materials, except those used for food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, from its&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification and labelling&nbsp;requirements.&nbsp;For products that remain subject to&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification requirements,&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;allows BPJPH-recognised&nbsp;US&nbsp;<em>Hal<\/em><em>al&nbsp;<\/em>certification bodies to certify any product for importation into Indonesia without \u201c<em>additional requirements or restrictions<\/em>\u201d, going beyond Indonesia\u2019s existing MRAs with other foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification bodies, which are typically limited to certain product categories. For example, MRAs concluded with Belgian&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification bodies only cover food and beverages. Indonesia also committed to streamline and expedite the recognition process for US&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;certification bodies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These commitments may raise concerns&nbsp;under Article I:1 of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wto.org\/english\/docs_e\/legal_e\/gatt47.pdf\"><em>General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994<\/em><\/a>(hereinafter, GATT 1994), as they&nbsp;confer certain \u2018<em>advantages<\/em>\u2019 solely on US products, which are not extended \u2018<em>immediately<\/em>\u2019 and \u2018<em>unconditionally<\/em>\u2019 to \u2018<em>like<\/em>\u2019 products from other WTO Members. The US and Indonesia could argue that the ART falls&nbsp;under Article XXIV of the&nbsp;<em>GATT 1994<\/em>, which allows WTO Members to depart from Article I:1 in the context of preferential trade agreements that eliminate&nbsp;\u201c<em>duties and other restrictive regulations of commerce<\/em>\u201d on \u201c<em>substantially all the trade<\/em>\u201d between the parties.&nbsp;There is no&nbsp;official WTO interpretation of \u201c<em>substantially all trade<\/em>\u201d, but it is generally considered as the liberalisation of at least 90% of the total value of trade among the parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this context, the ART&nbsp;reveals significant liberalisation asymmetries. It is a sector-specific arrangement rather than a comprehensive preferential trade agreement under which Indonesia undertakes tariff elimination&nbsp;on over 99% of US products&nbsp;and selectively removes or addresses certain non-tariff measures (<em>e.g<\/em>.,&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>&nbsp;requirements and local content measures), whereas the US merely eliminates an already arguably WTO-inconsistent unilateral additional tariff of 19% on a limited set of Indonesian products. The ART, therefore, falls short of eliminating duties and other restrictive regulations on \u201c<em>substantially all the trade<\/em>\u201d and the preferential&nbsp;<em>Halal<\/em>-related treatment would likely be found to be inconsistent with Article I:1 of the&nbsp;<em>GATT 1994<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To ensure consistency with WTO rules, Indonesia could consider extending the same&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>exemptions under the ART to other WTO Members. In the alternative, Indonesia could provide a more trade-facilitative approach to all trading partners, notably by recognising&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certifications issued in other countries as also meeting its domestic&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>requirements<em>.<\/em>Rather than limiting MRAs to those concluded by BPJPH with selected foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification bodies, Indonesia could also pursue broader mutual recognition at the intergovernmental level, including in the context of preferential trade agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, under the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/policy.trade.ec.europa.eu\/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region\/countries-and-regions\/indonesia\/eu-indonesia-agreements\/factsheets\/factsheet-eu-indonesia-comprehensive-economic-partnership-agreement-main-benefits-0_en\"><em>EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement<\/em><\/a>, both sides have agreed to enhance cooperation on&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>matters, including by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/policy.trade.ec.europa.eu\/news\/eu-and-indonesia-continue-work-recognition-eu-single-entity-halal-certification-purposes-2026-02-26_en\">exploring<\/a>&nbsp;the possibility of recognising the EU as a single entity for<em>&nbsp;Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification purposes. This follows a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tradeconcerns.wto.org\/en\/stcs\/details?imsId=502&amp;domainId=TBT&amp;searchTerm=halal\">request<\/a>&nbsp;from the EU, made during a meeting of the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade in November 2025, for Indonesia to recognise the EU\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu\/single-market_en\"><em>Single Market<\/em><\/a>, in which the EU functions as a single, integrated economic area, governed by a set of uniform rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Ensuring compliance and fair facilitation&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<em>Circular Letter&nbsp;<\/em>aims at facilitating the registration of foreign&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certificates for \u2018<em>novel<\/em>\u2019 products by requiring businesses to provide additional supporting documents.<em>&nbsp;<\/em>Businesses, including those dealing with food and beverages, cosmetics, and natural medicines, should pay close attention to Indonesia\u2019s mandatory&nbsp;<em>Halal&nbsp;<\/em>certification deadline of 17 October 2026, as non-compliance would prevent such products from being marketed in Indonesia. While the negotiation of facilitative approaches with trading partners can be welcomed, WTO consistency must be ensured to avoid discriminatory treatment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>For any additional information or legal advice on this matter, please contact Paolo R. Vergano&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Food\"><strong>Challenging compliance: New EU maximum residue levels for two pesticides that are harmful to bees take effect<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>By Amanda Carlota,&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Ignacio Carre\u00f1o Garc\u00eda, and Tobias Dolle<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 7 March 2026,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/reg\/2023\/334\/oj\/eng\"><em>Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/334 of 2 February 2023 amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396\/2005 of the European Parliament and of the&nbsp;&nbsp;Council as regards maximum residue levels for clothianidin and thiamethoxam in or on certain products<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em>came into effect, setting new maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the pesticides&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>&nbsp;in food and feed of plant and animal origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article examines the European Commission\u2019s (hereinafter, Commission) rationale for imposing restrictions on the use of&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>, discusses how the transitional period and import tolerances are meant to help operators and to facilitate trade, and assesses whether additional support measures are needed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>The EU restricts the use of clothianidin and thiamethoxam to protect bees<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>&nbsp;are classified as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/food.ec.europa.eu\/plants\/pesticides\/approval-active-substances-safeners-and-synergists\/renewal-approval\/neonicotinoids_en\">neonicotinoids<\/a>, which are active substances used in plant protection products to control harmful insects. Neonicotinoids are considered \u2018<em>systemic<\/em>\u2019 pesticides, which means that they do not remain on the surface of the treated parts of the plant, but permeate the entire plant, including the pollen and nectar. They are particularly hazardous for insects, affecting their central nervous system, leading to paralysis and death.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>&nbsp;had received EU approval for use in plant protection products in 2006 and 2007, respectively. However, in 2013, the&nbsp;<em>European Food Safety Authority<\/em>&nbsp;(hereinafter, EFSA) identified \u201c<em>high acute risks<\/em>\u201d for bees from exposure to, and consumption of, certain crops that had been treated with either&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/epdf\/10.2903\/j.efsa.2013.3066\"><em>clothianidin<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/epdf\/10.2903\/j.efsa.2013.3067\"><em>thiamethoxam<\/em><\/a>. Consequently, the Commission&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/reg_impl\/2013\/485\/oj\">restricted<\/a>&nbsp;the use of both pesticides to \u201c<em>professional uses as insecticide<\/em>\u201d to minimise the exposure of bees. In 2018, following the EFSA\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.efsa.europa.eu\/en\/press\/news\/180228\">confirmation<\/a>&nbsp;that most uses of&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>&nbsp;posed a risk to wild bees and honeybees, the Commission adopted&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/reg_impl\/2018\/784\/oj\"><em>Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018\/784<\/em><\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/reg_impl\/2018\/785\/oj\"><em>Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018\/785<\/em><\/a>, banning all outdoor uses of the two pesticides and allowing their use only within permanent greenhouses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>World Trade Organization Members question the EU\u2019s environmental justification<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2022, the EU&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.wto.org\/dol2fe\/Pages\/SS\/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:\/G\/TBTN22\/EU908.pdf&amp;Open=True\">notified<\/a>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<em>World Trade Organization<\/em>\u2019s (hereinafter, WTO) Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (hereinafter, TBT) of its intention to lower the MRLs applied to imported food to the Limit of Determination (LOD), which refers to the \u201c<em>validated lowest residue concentration which can be quantified and reported by routine monitoring with validated control methods<\/em>\u201d, for both pesticides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The notification states that, \u201c<em>given the global nature of pollinator decline\u201d, there was a need to ensure that also commodities imported into the EU \u201cdo not contain residues resulting from good agricultural practices based on outdoor uses of clothianidin and\/or thiamethoxam, in order to avoid the transfer of adverse effects on bees from food production in the European Union to production of food in other parts of the world that is then imported into the European Union<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the TBT Committee\u2019s meeting in July 2022, several WTO Members&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.wto.org\/dol2fe\/Pages\/SS\/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:\/G\/TBT\/M87.pdf&amp;Open=True\">voiced<\/a>&nbsp;concerns about the EU\u2019s justification of the measure on environmental grounds, with Colombia referring to an \u201c<em>extraterritorial application<\/em>\u201d<em>&nbsp;<\/em>of the<em>&nbsp;<\/em>EU\u2019s standards and Australia noting that the EU assumed it was \u201c<em>better placed to assess the environmental impacts of active substances in third countries than the chemical regulators of those countries<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Maximum residue levels set at the Limit of Determination<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the criticism voiced by trading partners in the TBT Committee, the EU adopted the Regulation, lowering the MRLs for&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>&nbsp;to the LOD. Recital 10 of&nbsp;<em>Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/334<\/em>&nbsp;cites \u201c<em>growing worldwide concern<\/em>\u201d that<em>&nbsp;<\/em>the decline of pollinators, such as bees, represents a \u201c<em>serious threat to global biodiversity, the environment and sustainable development, as well as to maintaining agricultural productivity and food security<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Annex to&nbsp;<em>Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/334<\/em>&nbsp;lists the modified MRLs for&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>&nbsp;for different food and feed products. For example, all imported fruits (both fresh and frozen) and tree nuts (<em>e.g.,&nbsp;<\/em>pistachios and almonds) are now subject to MRLs of 0,01 mg\/kg for both&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>, while teas and coffee beans are now subject to MRLs of 0,05 mg\/kg for both pesticides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Reducing the burden through a transitional period and import?<\/em><\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/334&nbsp;<\/em>was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 15 February 2023, entered into force on 7 March 2023, but only applies since 7 March 2026. This three-year transitional period was intended to give operators in third countries, especially those in least developed and developing countries, and food business operators in the EU, sufficient time to comply with the new MRLs by,&nbsp;<em>inter alia,&nbsp;<\/em>adapting their agricultural practices, which, according to Recital 19, could be \u201c<em>reasonably expected to be achieved after at least two growing seasons<\/em>\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In order to \u201c<em>meet the needs of international trade<\/em>\u201d,&nbsp;<em>Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/334&nbsp;<\/em>also recalls that operators may apply for import tolerances of&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam&nbsp;<\/em>on the basis of&nbsp;<em>Regulation (EC) No 396\/2005<\/em>. Applicants must submit scientific evidence demonstrating that the&nbsp;<em>Good Agricultural Practices<\/em>&nbsp;(GAPs), defined in that Regulation<em>&nbsp;<\/em>as the \u201c<em>nationally recommended, authorised or registered safe use of plant protection products under actual conditions at any stage<\/em>\u201d, applying for the specific uses of&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam,<\/em>&nbsp;\u201c<em>does not adversely impact pollinators<\/em>\u201d. The Commission would assess any application for an import tolerance on a case-by-case basis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>More restrictions on the horizon?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recital 16 of&nbsp;<em>Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/334<\/em>&nbsp;states that the EU\u2019s fellow WTO Members had been \u201c<em>consulted<\/em>\u201d on the new MRLs and that their comments had been \u201c<em>taken into account<\/em>\u201d. However, many WTO Members remain critical and have continued to criticise the new rules. Most recently, during a meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods held in April 2025, WTO Members discussed&nbsp;<em>Commission Regulation (EU) 2023\/334<\/em>&nbsp;and the US described it as an \u201c<em>unsubstantiated use of a food safety metric to achieve supposed environmental aims<\/em>\u201d and Australia argued that lowering the MRLs for&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>&nbsp;to the LOD would constitute a \u201c<em>de facto ban on the usage of those products in trading partners should they wish to export to the EU<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, more restrictions appear to be imminent. On 16 December 2025, the Commission presented its&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/food.ec.europa.eu\/horizontal-topics\/simplification-legislation_en\"><em>Food and Feed Safety Simplification Package<\/em><\/a><em>,&nbsp;<\/em>which includes a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/food.ec.europa.eu\/document\/download\/b0817113-6edc-4219-b638-8060fee037d5_en?filename=horiz_omnibus_reg-com-2025-1030_en.pdf\">proposal<\/a>&nbsp;for stronger import rules for pesticide residues.<em>&nbsp;<\/em>The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food,&nbsp;<em>Christophe Hansen,&nbsp;<\/em>stated that food imports that had been<em>&nbsp;<\/em>\u201c<em>treated with the most hazardous pesticides banned in the EU<\/em>\u201d would \u201c<em>not be allowed<\/em>\u201d into the EU.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It should also be noted that, in addition to&nbsp;<em>clothianidin<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>thiamethoxam<\/em>, the Commission has also restricted the use of two other previously approved neonicotinoids, namely&nbsp;<em>imidacloprid<\/em>, which is currently&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/reg_impl\/2018\/783\/oj\">limited<\/a>&nbsp;to indoor greenhouse use, and&nbsp;<em>thiacloprid<\/em>, whose approval was&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/newsroom\/sante\/items\/667420\/en\">not renewed<\/a>&nbsp;in 2020. A fifth pesticide,&nbsp;<em>acetamiprid<\/em>, remains the only neonicotinoid authorised for use without restrictions. After the EFSA had&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.2903\/j.efsa.2016.4610\">concluded<\/a>&nbsp;that it posed only a low risk to bees, its approval was&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/reg_impl\/2018\/113\/oj\">renewed<\/a>&nbsp;in 2018 until 2033.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Agri-food operators struggle with phasing out neonicotinoids<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the transitional period and the availability of import tolerances, reports indicate that agri-food operators around the world are facing difficulties in phasing out their use of neonicotinoids. In the EU, this is demonstrated by the number of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/food.ec.europa.eu\/plants\/pesticides\/approval-active-substances-safeners-and-synergists\/renewal-approval\/neonicotinoids_en\">emergency authorisations<\/a>&nbsp;for neonicotinoids issued by EU Member States over the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Businesses that use neonicotinoids are advised to carefully review their agricultural practices and explore the use of alternative pesticides for their crops and to raise the issue with their Governments to inform further discussions at the WTO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>For any additional information or legal advice on this matter, please contact Ignacio&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Carre\u00f1o Garcia<\/em><\/strong><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Legislation\"><strong>Recently adopted EU legislation<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Trade Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=OJ%3AL_202600586&amp;qid=1773802179462\"><em>Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026\/586 of 17 March 2026 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and definitively collecting the provisional duty imposed on imports of phosphorous acid originating in the People\u2019s Republic of China<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=OJ%3AL_202600560&amp;qid=1773728238324\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Commission Implementing Decision (EU)\u00a02026\/560 of 16 March 2026 terminating the anti-dumping procedure concerning imports of certain cast iron articles originating in India and T\u00fcrkiye<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Customs Law<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=OJ:L_202600507\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026\/507 of 6\u00a0March 2026 granting Cabo Verde a temporary derogation from the rules on preferential origin laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU)\u00a02015\/2446, in respect of prepared or preserved fillets of tuna and tuna loins (raw, cooked and frozen), prepared or preserved mackerel fillets and prepared or preserved frigate tuna or frigate mackerel fillets<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Food Law<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=OJ%3AL_202600551&amp;qid=1773629365849\"><em>Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026\/551 of 13 March 2026 amending the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021\/632 as regards the lists of products of animal origin, animal by-products and composite products subject to official controls at border control posts<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Commission Regulation (EU) 2025\/351 of 21 February 2025 amending Regulation (EU) No\u00a010\/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, Regulation (EU) 2022\/1616 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 282\/2008 and Regulation (EC) No 2023\/2006 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food as regards recycled plastics and other issues related to the quality control and production of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026\/491 of 4 March 2026 amending Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021\/404 as regards the entries for Argentina and Thailand in the list of third countries or territories, or zones thereof, authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain categories of equine animals, and correcting Annexes XIII and XVIII thereto as regards the entries for Paraguay and the United Arab Emirates in the lists of third countries or territories, or zones thereof, authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of ungulates and of certain dairy products of camelid animals<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R0520&amp;qid=1772767085302\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026\/520 of 4 March 2026 amending Annexes XIV and XV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021\/404 as regards the entries for Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of poultry and game birds and of meat products from poultry<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R0515&amp;qid=1772767085302\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026\/515 of 3 March 2026 amending Annexes V and XIV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021\/404 as regards the entries for Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States in the lists of third countries, territories, or zones thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of consignments of poultry and germinal products of poultry, and of fresh meat of poultry and game birds<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Other<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R0515&amp;qid=1772767085302\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=OJ:L_202600539\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Council Decision (EU) 2026\/539 of 20 January 2026 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Committee on Investment Facilitation established by the Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Angola as regards the adoption of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee on Investment Facilitation<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Imelda Jo Anastasya, Amanda Carlota, Ignacio Carre\u00f1o Garc\u00eda, Pattranit Chantaplaboon<\/em>,<em>&nbsp;Joanna Christy, Tobias Dolle, Alya Mahira, Stella Nalwoga, and Paolo R. Vergano contributed to this issue.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Follow us on&nbsp;<\/em><em>Bluesky&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/fratinivergano.bsky.social\"><em>@fratinivergano.bsky.social<\/em><\/a><strong><em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To subscribe to&nbsp;<em>Trade Perspectives<\/em><sup>\u00a9<\/sup>, please click&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/fratinivergano.eu\/tradeperspectives_subscription\">here<\/a>. To unsubscribe, please click&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:TradePerspectives@fratinivergano.eu?subject=Trade%20Perspectives%20Subscription\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1746","trade-perspectives","type-trade-perspectives","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/trade-perspectives\/1746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/trade-perspectives"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/trade-perspectives"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/trade-perspectives\/1746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1750,"href":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/trade-perspectives\/1746\/revisions\/1750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fratinivergano.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}