Chambers Ireland Weekly Digest- 9 July 2018
- Trade News/Info for Exporters- DBEI announce new round of tariff suspension/quotas
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has announced (1 July 2018) a new round of the tariff suspension/quota schemes and is calling for applications from manufacturers in the chemicals, microelectronic and related sectors.
The tariff suspension scheme offers the possibility for such companies to import raw materials, components or intermediate products from outside the European Union free from tariff duty, if the item cannot be sourced in the EU.
Closing date and time for the receipt of the next round of applications is 5.30p.m. on Friday, 27th July 2018.
Applications should be sent by e-mail to tariffschemes@dbei.gov.ie and posted to the Department at the address below. Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted by the Department. The suspension of duties on these applications, if they are successful, will come into effect 12 months after the application is made.
Further information on the Tariff Suspension or Quota Scheme may be found here:https://www.dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Trade-Investment/EU-Tariff-Suspension-and-Quota-Scheme/
You may wish to send this notice out to your members and contacts.
2.Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation – Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund – Call for Expressions of Interest
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation have launched a Call for Expressions of Interest under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund.
Disruptive technology is that which has the potential to significantly alter markets and their functioning and significantly alter the way that businesses operate. While it involves a new product or process, it can also involve the emergence of a new business model. Disruption is about the combination of technology and business model innovation.
Two thematic areas in particular may be of interest:
Energy, Climate Action and Sustainability – Decarbonising the Energy System and Sustainable Living
Food – Food for Health, Smart and Sustainable Food Production and Processing
More details on the call can be found here.
3.GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR) – Training your Employees
Every day, your employees handle personal data and are the cause of 80% of data breaches. Chambers Ireland have now partnered with Olive Media (GDPRcourse.com) to bring to you an easy and cost-effective solution to your compliance challenge. The course outlines the steps needed in order to ensure your business is in compliance with the regulations.
Course cost is €35 per person
To begin your GDPR compliance solution please just simply clink on this link which will take you to a registration and payment page.
You will then be sent a link to begin your training.
You can also offer this service to your members and Chambers will receive an 8% commission on every member’s employee that uses the training. Chambers will have their own system to track the usage by members, illustrated in the link above. Please let me know that you will be making this service available to members and we can talk you through the service.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact james.kiernan@chambers.ie.
4.Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation – Brexit Preparedness Notices
Efforts are currently underway to reach an agreement to ensure the withdrawal of the UK from the EU occurs with minimum disruption and to put in place a framework for a future relationship which will enable the closest possible EU-UK relationship post Brexit.
However, the UK’s notification of its intention to withdraw from the EU has created significant uncertainties. The European Commission has therefore sought to clarify what the situation will be for a number of business sectors in the event that no agreement is reached to mitigate the impacts of the UK’s withdrawal.
Notices have been issued in respect of industrial products, company law, trademarks, auditing and import and export licenses as well as a range of other areas. A list of the notices published to date are available to view on the Commission’s website at the following link: European Commission Brexit Preparedness
The Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation (DBEI) is encouraging firms to review these notices and consider relevant actions that may be required to mitigate any potential negative impacts that may arise for them in terms of Brexit.
If you have any queries regarding these Brexit Preparedness Notices or the industrial sector which your business operates in, with regards to preparing for Brexit,
please contact our EU & International Affairs Manager Emma Kerins, via her email address: Emma.Kerins@chambers.ie
5.Consultation on Irish Water’s Non-Domestic Tariff Harmonisation
The CRU has published Irish Water’s proposals for a new Non-Domestic Tariff Framework which will apply to Irish Water’s non-domestic (business) customers. The purpose of the Framework is to generate a more harmonised suite of tariffs for non-domestic water and wastewater customers.
The Framework will set out the ‘rules’ for how tariffs are designed and how customers will be transitioned to their new tariffs over time. Irish Water hopes that a more harmonised approach will benefit customers in terms of transparency, simplicity and equity.
The CRU wishes to seek views from interested parties on each of Irish Water’s proposals before the CRU makes a decision on the tariff design and transitional aspects of the new Framework.
To view the relevant information, please visit https://www.cru.ie/document_group/establishing-irish-waters-non-domestic-tariff-framework/
Chambers Ireland would be pleased to receive the views of your Chamber on this important business issue.
Please contact Elisha elisha.collierobrien@chambers.ie by Tuesday, July 31st COB.
6.Commission Rules of Origin Questionnaire and Test Tool
The European Commission has released an online test tool and questionnaire, aimed at exporters, that has been designed to give information to operators and to help address their needs in relation to Rules of Origin.
The below link will give you access to the anonymous questionnaire and the test version of the online tool. It will take approx. 10-15 minutes to complete the form.
http://madb.europa.eu/madb/indexPubli.htm
After filling in the questionnaire you are asked to try the test version of a ‘decision tree’. This ‘tree’ is a draft tool to aid EU exporters in determining whether their products comply with the Rules of Origin set out in our FTAs.
The questionnaire will be available online until 31 July 2018.
7.HR Information for Business- Peninsula Weather Guide
As the country enjoys blue skies, unbroken sunshine and near-record temperatures, it seems a lot of the hard-working people of Ireland are wondering what temperature the mercury must hit for it to be legally too hot to work?! Employers will likewise be curious to know how the extraordinarily hot temperatures impact on their legal duty to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees at work.
Please circulate the attached note from Peninsula Ireland on how best to approach with the warm weather in the workplace.
To find out how to safeguard your business against claims under health and safety legislation call Peninsula’s 24-hour advice line on 1890 252 923
8.Legal Certainty Guide for Foreign Investors in Brazil
The Brazilian Attorney General’s Office (AGU) has recently published the “Legal Certainty Guide for Foreign Investors in Brazil”. This guide presents an overview of the Brazilian national and international legal framework for foreign investors interested in establishing cross-border relations with Brazil. It also covers practical information when setting up in Brazil such as the different types of business organizations and the main rules of taxation.
To find out more, you may access the “Legal Certainty Guide for Foreign Investors in Brazil” at this link: http://www.apexbrasil.com.br/uploads/AGU%20Cartilha%20sobre%20Seguran%C3%A7a%20Jur%C3%ADdica%20-%20REV%20WEB%20single%20(002).pdf
9.Restaurants Association of Ireland – Foodie Destinations Application process
The Restaurants Association of Ireland would like to inform you that this year’s Foodie Destinations 2018 application process is now open.
The Foodie Destinations 2018 competition is opportunity for a location in Ireland to be recognised as a destination with a sense of community spirit, collaboration and support for local businesses, which actively promotes itself as a Foodie Destination to locals and tourists alike.
In addition to the Foodie Destination category, there will also be the new category of the Foodie Town for 2018.
To submit your application via the online form, please visit www.foodiedestinations.ie.
The application deadline is 12PM on Thursday, 12th of July.
For further information, please contact the Restaurants Association of Ireland via the email address shauna@rai.ie or telephone + 353 (1) 677 9901.
10.Save the Date: European Parliament of Enterprises 2018
The European Parliament of Enterprises (EPE), hosted by Eurochambres every two years, is scheduled to take place in the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday, the 10th of October 2018. More information on the event will be circulated in the coming weeks.
Several Chambers have sent delegates to the EPE in the past and their Chambers have benefitted because of their participation.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact emma.kerins@chambers.ie