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European machinery industry calls for ‘fresh focus on smart regulation, trade and competitiveness’

World Cement,


A high-level policy discussion at the European Parliament highlighted the need for renewed focus on ‘smart regulation, trade and competitiveness’. Such action would help the machinery industry to reach its full potential whilst generating jobs, innovation and growth. The call for a ‘fresh focus’ comes as the European Commission starts its new mandate.

The discussion involved Paul Rübig, Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP and Vicky Ford MEP, officials from the European Commission, and business leaders from the European machinery industry.

“When talking about jobs, innovation and growth, the European Machinery Industry has an important contribution to make. One critical question will therefore be whether EU initiatives in the next five years will be able to structurally support the industry to unleash its full potential and help to bring growth back to Europe” said Mr Rübig.

After some opening remarks from Mr Rübig, business leaders from the European machinery industry, including the CECE, CEMA and FEM, discussed how key EU initiatives would impact the industry over the next few years.

Eric Lepine, Managing Director of Caterpillar France and President of the Committee for European Construction Equipment Manufacturers (CECE), explained how the new EU draft Regulation on diesel engine emission limits will impact the industry’s ability to remain innovative: “Our industry is on track and committed to delivering innovative machines that will match the new emission limits, which will be the strictest in the world. However, because of the very wide variety of different products in our industry, it will remain a complex challenge to adapt all our products in time. Therefore, we need a swift adoption of this Regulation, no later than 1Q16, in order to give the industry adequate time to transition to these new emission limits. We also need the issue of niche products and replacement engines to be addressed.”

“Industry’s competitiveness does not come from low wages and low production costs, but from our reliability, know-how and innovation. The EU regulatory framework must help preserve and develop these strengths rather than limit them,” added Jan van der Velden, Senior Manager Systems at Vanderlande Industries and President of the European Materials Handling Federation (FEM).


Adapted from press release by

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/07112014/fresh-eu-focus-needed-to-support-machinery-industry/

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