BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission launched an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of bicycles from the People's Republic of China. For this review DG Trade will hold hearings, mail questionnaires to producers and visit companies. The request was submitted by the EBMA (European Bicycle Manufacturers Association) representing the bicycle industry in Europe.
BERLIN, Germany - The German industry organisation ZIV rang the alarm bell last January over the upcoming Federal Forest Act which would pose a big threat for mountain and gravel biking in the nation's forests. In the first draft of the act, which was published recently, the right to enter the forest by bicycle remains largely untouched.
As I wrote in one of my earlier blogs, the upcoming General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) is food for many more blogs to come. It contains many provisions that go far beyond the current EU General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). In this blog, I would like to draw attention to a new obligation that is introduced in the GPSR: accident reporting.
UTRECHT, The Netherlands - Following the issues with cargo bike brand Babboe earlier this year, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is now conducting investigations into the safety of multiple cargo bike brands. Vogue Bike has confirmed that information has been requested regarding "technical specifications of products."
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - Approximately 3,500 fatbikes have been seized by the Dutch authorities due to not meeting the legal requirements of an e-bike, but that of a moped. This requires a different type approval. Fatbikes, in some cases tampered with, have become immensely popular amongst younger riders in the Netherlands prompting calls for more law enforcement in the market.
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - A freezing order has been executed against an Italian company suspected of a major customs fraud involving the importation of e-bikes from China, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has announced. The company has been accused of evading more than €9.8 million in customs duties. This latest case raises questions about how complex it is to import e-bike components into the EU.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European bicycle industry organisations have taken a leading role in the business days program in hall 8 at Eurobike 2024. In various settings with CONEBI and CIE, pressing topics within the framework of the European Industrial policy and Green Deal will be discussed. This report offers an overview of the key issues and assumptions of legislative topics currently on the agenda at the European Commission which are relevant for the industry.
LONDON, UK - Existing tariffs on e-bikes imported into the UK from China range from 18.8% to 79.3%. These measures were transitioned when the UK left the EU following Brexit. Following a period of investigation the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has now deemed that keeping anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Chinese e-bikes "would not be in economic interest of the UK" and should be revoked.
On April 23, the 'Right to Repair' directive was adopted by the European Parliament. The proposed law should encourage repair and reuse of defective devices instead of replacement, with the aim of minimising 'e-waste' caused by these devices. The guidelines that the EU will prescribe to its member states in the coming years are becoming increasingly clear: repair must become the standard for all electronic consumer goods, even after the legal guarantee period. What does this mean for the e-bike industry?
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Starting in 2025, products and raw materials contributing to deforestation will need to comply with new regulations. Importers will have to prove that their products, such as rubber used for bicycle tyres, have not contributed to deforestation.
