LOBBYING FOR AN EU-JAPAN FTA

The EU –Japan negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement were officially launched on 25 March 2013. The negotiations aim at addressing, among others, a number of EU concerns, including non-tariff barriers which European companies encounter in Japan, as well as the further opening of the Japanese public procurement market.

Strong Proponents

1. European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC) gathers national associations and federations from the European Union, which together represent approximately 87% of the European manufacturing. CEC’s overall purposes are to encourage the development of an environment in which European footwear manufacturing can be successful, as well as to reinforce the competitiveness and growth of the whole sector’s supply chain.
2. CECED represents the household appliance manufacturing industry in Europe.
3. Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) represents the wine companies in the industry and trade in the European Union
4. Cerame-Unie is the voice of the European ceramic industry. It creates and maintains a constructive dialogue with the EU institutions, international partners and the social and environmental stakeholders by providing expertise in such important fields as environment, health & safety, climate change and energy, trade, construction, raw materials and standardisation.
5. COCIR is the voice of the European Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry. Medical imaging and health ICTs are among the most innovative and dynamic industry sectors in Europe and globally.
6. Cosmetics Europe – the personal care association represents the interests of Europe’s cosmetic, toiletry and perfumery industry.
7. Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE) is the representative body of the European Leather Industry.
8. DIGITALEUROPE represents the digital technology industry in Europe: IT, telecoms and consumer electronics companies and national associations from every part of Europe.
9. European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance (ECCIA): Composed of the five major European luxury industry associations (Europe’s leading luxury brands covering 14 different high-end product and service markets.
10. European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA) is an international, non- profit organisation representing the interests of the medical in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry in Europe.
11. EFIC represents the furniture industries in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Russia, and Norway.
12. EFPIA represents the pharmaceutical industry operating in Europe.
13. EPIC – European Photonics Industry Consortium – is the industry association that promotes the sustainable development of organisations working in the field of photonics in Europe.
14. European Services Forum (ESF) is a private sector trade association that represents the interests of the European services industry in International Trade Negotiations in Services. (financial services, tourism, telecommunications, maritime transport, business and professional services, distribution, postal and express delivery, IT services, environmental services and the audio-visual industry.
15. Eucomed is the European medical technology industry association. Its mission is to make modern, innovative and reliable medical technology available to more people.
16. EURATEX is the voice of the European textile and clothing industry.
17. EUROCHAMBRES – The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and  Industry represents over 20 million enterprises in Europe – 98% of which are SMEs – through members in 43 countries and a network of 1700 regional and local Chambers.
18. EuroCommerce is the leading representation of the retail, wholesale and international trade sectors in Europe.
19. European Fur Information Center is an umbrella organisation representing more than 50 national European fur farmer and fur retailer associations.
20. FESI, the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry represents the interests of approximately 1,800 sporting goods manufacturers (85% of the European market) through its National Sporting Goods Industry Federations and its directly affiliated member companies.
21. FoodDrinkEurope represents Europe’s food and drink industry, Europe’s largest manufacturing sector in terms of turnover, employment and value added.
22. FTA represents retailers, importers and brand manufacturers worldwide in the political arena and in public to achieve free trade and supports their international business by providing information and practical solutions.
23. IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) represents the recording industry worldwide.
24. LightingEurope is an industry association of 32 European lighting manufacturers, national lighting associations, and companies producing materials used in lighting products.
25. MedTech Europe is an alliance of European medical technology industry associations. The Alliance was founded by EDMA, representing the European in vitro diagnostic industry, and Eucomed, representing the European medical devices industry.
26. spiritsEUROPE represents the interests of the spirits