Market Access Database, June 1998

The Market Access Database, in fact an umbrella name for a collection of five databases, was first launched at the end of 1996 as part of the Commission's Market Access Strategy but is still under development and has recently been the focus of a new publicity drive. Accessible via the homepage of DGI, its address is http://mkaccdb.eu.int and it allows free, unlimited access to all sections for users from the 15 EU Member States. Access for users from outside the EU is, however, restricted to the Sectoral and Trade Barriers Database. It has a simple and clear interface with five access points, plus a What's New section which publishes the latest developments in fighting trade barriers, dates of content updating and specific requests for information. Help is available at various points about the content and how to search it. Some provision is still required to enable users to exit easily from search results and begin a new search. The service seeks to be an interactive database, requesting notification of problems encountered in respect of trade issues, so that appropriate action can be taken, as well as the updating and correction of information held. Currency and accuracy of the data is obviously vital and there is evidence that information notified is acted on speedily. Confidentiality of information supplied is strongly stressed.

The Sectoral and Trade Barriers part contains thirty eight country reports giving general descriptions of the trade policy of the country, two sections on goods covering tariff and non-tariff barriers, and a further three sections dealing with investments, services and intellectual property. To search, first select a country, then from a menu select a specific sector if required. A quite lengthy general overview of the trade situation is provided followed by information relating to the specific sector chosen, outlining trade barriers which have been brought to the Commission's attention. There is an option of contacting officials who deal with that topic by clicking on the envelope which appears on the screen beside the sectoral information. More general comments can be submitted elsewhere through the Comments link.

The Exporters' Guide to Import Formalities is experimental and still under development, but the Applied Tariffs Database already contains information relating to forty one countries and is aiming to cover fifty by the end of 1998. The data is supplied by EUROTARIFF, a division of the California-based American company, World Tariff Ltd and is not official data from the European Commission. To search, again first select a country and then enter either the Harmonised System product code at the four- or six-digit level, or put in keywords remembering that the terms used are customs legislation terms such as kitchenware, tableware, etc. Information supplied covers customs duties and internal consumption taxes.

The WTO Bound Tariffs Database contains data compiled by the World Trade Organisation relating currently to fourteen countries and gives details of customs duties limits. It can be searched by Harmonised System code at a fourdigit level or by product description keyword. Finally the GATS 'Info-Point' contains a complete guide to the General Agreement on Trade in Services as well as recent news on the topic. Already a useful source for business, this has the potential for considerable further development.

Internet address
http://mkaccdb.eu.int