News At the invitation of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, the CPHE held its autumn meeting on 19 October in Lugano.
The first topic discussed by delegates at the meeting was the draft European directive on electrical and electronic waste, and delegates are still of the view that watches are excluded from it. Were this interpretation not shared by the competent authorities of member states and the EU Commission, it would be essential to ensure marking of the ecology label not on the product but on the packaging or the notices accompanying it (guarantee form, instructions). In fact none of the product categories liable to be affected by this draft directive really apply to watches. The only example given was alarm clocks, under the category of household appliances. It would be difficult to imagine watches falling into such a category. It is therefore necessary to continue discussions with the authorities concerned.
The CPHE then took note of the answer by Commissioner Patten, on behalf of the EU Commission, to a question tabled by the Austrian Deputy to the European Parliament Johannes Svoboda, concerning the refusal to deliver spare parts applied by certain Swiss watch brands. In his answer Commissioner Patten maintained that such a refusal is justified if the following two conditions are met: the firm concerned holds less than 30 % of the relevant market; it manufactures the spare parts in question itself. This is a general position. It remains to be seen whether any specific cases will arise to confirm it.
Nickel and its salting out still remain topical subjects, even though legislation is now in force. In fact standard 1811 is ponderous, complicated and destructive! It would be appropriate therefore if deliberations could be resumed with national experts with a view to establishing a quick and simple standard that would allow a result to be obtained without the product being destroyed.
The delegations also took note with satisfaction of the solution adopted by the World Watch and Jewellery Exhibition concerning the location of component exhibitors from 2003. The latter will remain in Basle, while national exhibition halls will go to Zurich. It should be noted that the United Kingdom delegation would like to be able to maintain separate halls for watches and jewellery in Zurich also.
As regards the European directive on product guarantees (see Review FH No 17 of 25 October 2001, p. 19), discussions have revealed that not all member states have yet finalised their national implementing provisions, in particular France and the United Kingdom. However, Germany and Italy have adopted the necessary provisions.
Lastly, the French delegation submitted a decree of 28 April 2000 on the protected transport of assets. The latter affects watchmaking where the transportation concerns watches priced in excess of 200,000 FF. If a product falls within the scope of this decree, secure transport must be organised (armoured truck, qualified personnel). Delegations were invited to seek information regarding any restrictions on postal transport on their own territory.
The next meeting of the CPHE will take place on 22 May 2002.
November 08, 2001