The future treaty, which could be effective in 2017, will change radically in the exchanges between the Old Continent and Canada, including to businesses. What you need to know.

1. A timing uncertain

The text of CETA (or CETA for Canadians) was approved on September 26, 2014 by the president of the european commission and the canadian Prime minister, after five years of negotiations between the two parties. It must still be ratified by the parliaments in europe and canada, and then, by each of the parliaments of the 28 member countries of the european Union. The process should not start before the spring of 2016. The more optimistic foresee entry into force at the beginning of 2017. Brussels could decide on provisional application and partial, after the ratification by the european Parliament obtained.

2. Tariff deleted

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In the industrial sector, 98 % of the tariffs disappear ; some 15,000 products, from tires to adhesives to cosmetics. In the agricultural sector, they disappear in more than 90 % of the cases. Only a few sensitive products are subject to tariff quotas or have been excluded from liberalisation, after tough negotiations. Thus, for the export of cheeses in Canada, Europe gained access to an additional contingent exempt from price : 31 000 tonnes per year in total, compared to 13 000 tonnes previously. For the export of beef and pork in Europe, Canada has secured an increase of its quota-exempt to respectively 50 000 and 75 000 tonnes a year.

3. Investment facilities

Canada has increased from 354 million to c $ 1.5 billion the amount from which the federal government is permitted to review – and potentially block – an investment made by a private company the european on its soil.

4. The open public procurement

european companies will be able to respond to calls for tender of goods and services of all the organs of government, canadian federal, provincial, regional, local and municipal. With restrictions in only two cases : calls for tenders of public enterprises of the energy in Ontario and Quebec, and the bidding on the rolling stock in these same two provinces.

5. Patent and geographical indications are better protected

In the pharmaceutical sector, the industry will benefit from a level of intellectual property protection which is close to that existing in Europe. In the agri-food sector, about 125 geographical indications in europe have obtained maximum protection. For others, such as the feta or munster, guarantees are made to the original product is well identified.

>> Read also: not To know about the benefits of the treaty CETA

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