The Regulatory Cooperation Chapter of the TTIP: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract:

What distinguishes the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) from EU’s previous free trade agreements is that its focus is not so much on elimination of tariffs, but rather on reduction of regulatory barriers to trade. The system of regulatory cooperation, which the TTIP entails, is meant to achieve and sustain regulatory convergence between the parties, creating a “living agreement”, flexible to expand to new areas and adjustable to future regulatory developments.

In the wake of the 11th negotiation round, this policy analysis presents the proposed shape and scope of TTIP’s regulatory chapter and addresses important concerns about the implications of regulatory convergence.