The Secretariat reported on the Expert Seminar on the Movement of Goods in the Area of the EU, EFTA, Turkey and CEFTA, organised by the Centre for European Perspective in Istanbul in December 2008. The organisers concluded that there is a general consensus to expand the current cumulation zone, even though a lot of work remains to be done before SAP+ cumulation can be introduced.

The EEA EFTA Member States reported on parliamentary procedures for 12 EEA Joint Committee Decisions, including the EFSA/food law package, which have not yet entered into force.

A draft report on new legislation proposed by the European Parliament concerning food labeling (EP) was presented by the Secretariat. A vote in the European Parliament first reading is expected during the spring.

The Secretariat also reported on a recent seminar in Iceland concerning preparations for the implementation of the Goods Package into the EEA Agreement.

Furthermore, the Secretariat provided an update on several issues in the field of energy. The Council has sent the common position on the third legislation package to the Parliament. If a compromise is reached, which seems likely, a text could be adopted and published in the spring or summer 2009. The European Parliament has approved the proposed directive providing for the legal framework for the new carbon dioxide capture and storage technology (CCS). Members of the European Parliament secured the funding for demonstration projects by ensuring that 300 million ETS allowances will be awarded to large scale CCS projects in the EU. The European Parliament also approved a revised EU Emission Trading System (ETS) which will apply from 2013 to 2020, and should lead to a reduction of 21% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to reported 2005 levels.

The Norwegian Delegation reported on the status of preparations for the adoption of the EU’s new security measures (the 24-hour rule).  Finally, the Secretariat informed the Committee that the Commission has established a high-level expert panel to examine the long-term future of European standardisation towards 2020 and come up with recommendations.