Cerame-Unie created a new Working Group on trade in early 2014. The group held its first meeting with DG Trade on 24 June 2014 and exchanged on important trade policy issues concerning the EU ceramic industry. CU Trade WG group consists of more than 40 participants from nine ceramic industry sectors and various EU member states. The objectives of the CU Trade WG are to inform and consult CU members on trade related issues in a more streamlined way as well as to effectively respond to Commission’s consultations, notifications and to raise the voice of the ceramic industry at EU level through forums, workshops and meetings with DG Trade.

Trade issues of concern for the EU ceramic industry in 2014 are horizontal market access issues (9 CU sectors), EU Free Trade Agreements, trade defence instruments and their modernisation and access to raw materials. Trade issues such as intellectual property rights, counterfeiting and enforcement of international trade rules are also of interest to the group.