New study launched to prepare for the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences after 2023

Since 1971, the EU GSP scheme offers easier access to the EU market for goods exported from developing countries by eliminating or reducing import tariffs unilaterally. The current legal basis for the GSP, Council Regulation (EU) No 978/2012, will expire at the end of 2023. If no new GSP Regulation is enacted, only imports from least developed countries (LDCs) would continue to benefit from preferntial access under the "Everything But Arms" (EBA) arrangement.

Against this background, the European Commission is currently considering how to shape its GSP after 2023. It will prepare an impact assessment to examine the economic, social, environmental, and human rights impacts of possible policy options for various elements of a new EU GSP regulation. The study implemented by a consortium led by BKP, supports the Commission's impact assessment by analysing the need for, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of, several policy options that are being considered by the Commission. Work on the study has started in December 2019 and will continue over 10 months.

More details about the study, including the full reports, will be available from the study website.