Online This webinar will give practical insights on trade in the automotive sector between the EU and Singapore and how the EUSFTA provisions on motor vehicles and car parts can help EU and Singapore companies. Additionally, the webinar will look at the broader impact of automotive regulations in the ASEAN as a region with particular focus on new emerging technologies for electric vehicles and chargers.
The EU is the world’s leading producer of vehicles, with about 20% of global vehicle production or over 18 million vehicles originating in the block in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the output heavily. The EU is also a frontrunner when it comes to research and development in the sector, providing new and cleaner technologies and smart solutions for transport. While Singapore is a relatively small market in terms of vehicles sales, it can play a significant role as standard-setting jurisdiction, and sets an example for the ASEAN as a region. With Singapore’s recent announcement to limit new registrations of diesel fuelled vehicles and to foster more reliance on new technologies, there is an increased scope for bilateral cooperation in this area as both partners face the challenges of clean mobility in the 21st century.
The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), which entered into force on 21 November 2019, promotes the recognition of international standards for motor vehicles and parts thereof. The EU and Singapore agreed to refrain from introducing new regulatory measures which differ from international standards. They allow the sale of products incorporating new technologies, unless such technologies are proven to create a significant risk to human health, safety or the environment. The EUSFTA provides a possibility to sell new motor vehicles and car parts from the EU in Singapore without any additional testing or certification, provided they are certified in line with international standards accepted in the EU, notably United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) type approval regulations.