TACD is a member of the advisory group to the Transatlantic Economic
Council (TEC) along with the Transatlantic Business Dialogue and the
Transatlantic Legislators Dialogue.
The TEC was established at
the 2007 EU-US Summit as part of the “Framework for Advancing
Transatlantic Economic Integration between the United States of America
and the European Union”. Its purpose is to oversee, guide and
accelerate the implementation of a work programme for cooperation.
TACD has provided input to the TEC prior to each of its meetings.
Each year TACD submits consolidated recommendations to the EU and US
leaders. These recommendations are the product of TACD’s working groups
and are agreed by consensus.
The European Commission has made a commitment to respond to these recommendations in writing.
TACD's work on intellectual property (IP) focuses on promoting a
more balanced IP system in which the needs and rights of consumers are
given equal consideration to those of rights holders.
TACD promotes an IP system that effectively promotes innovation while maintaining access for users.
Further information on TACD’s IP work can be found on the IP working group blog.
TACD work in the area of Information Society aims to promote the
recognition and improvement of consumer rights in the digital world.
With
consumers increasingly relying on the Internet for work, shopping and
social life, it is more important than ever that the appropriate
regulatory frameworks are in place to ensure their safety and privacy.
TACD work in the area of food aims to ensure that food policy makers
within the EU and US take actions that promote consumer interests.
Particular
focuses are on improving food safety, tackling the obesity pandemic and
ensuring that appropriate information is provided on food products to
help consumers make healthy choices.
TACD work on product safety is concerned with promoting more effective
regulatory approaches to deal with the ever-escalating number of
products imported into the EU and US.
TACD encourages improved
EU-US information sharing and communication regarding dangerous
products as well as joint initiatives such as the inspection of
overseas manufacturing plants and food production facilities.
TACD calls for trade agreements to strengthen rather than weaken important consumer protection standards. TACD promotes a precautionary approach to regulation and promotes upward rather than downward harmonization in regulatory cooperation.