How has SIA been developed?
The EU applies SIA systematically when entering into multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations. The methodological approach and basis had to be developed from scratch, as most impact studies up until then had focused on either economic or environmental aspects. The aim with SIAs was to integrate three dimensions – economic, environmental and social – combined to cover all aspects of sustainable development. The Commission contracted consultants to develop a methodology and to carry out a preliminary assessment of WTO negotiations. SIA is now enshrined in a broader commitment endorsed at the European Council at Gothenburg (2001). The Commission’s Communication on Impact Assessment (COM 2002 276) introduced a comprehensive regulatory and assessment framework for all policy areas, including trade. Complementarities and synergies between Sustainability Impact Assessment and Impact Assessment will be developed further by methodological improvements. The specific methodology for Trade SI
The EU applies SIA systematically when entering into multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations. The methodological approach and basis had to be developed from scratch, as most impact studies up until then had focused on either economic or environmental aspects. The aim with SIAs was to integrate three dimensions – economic, environmental and social – combined to cover all aspects of sustainable development. The Commission contracted consultants to develop a methodology and to carry out a preliminary assessment of WTO negotiations. SIA is now enshrined in a broader commitment endorsed at the European Council at Gothenburg (2001). The Commission’s Communication on Impact Assessment (COM 2002 276) introduced a comprehensive regulatory and assessment framework for all policy areas, including trade. Complementarities and synergies between Sustainability Impact Assessment and Impact Assessment will be developed further by methodological improvements. The specific methodology for Trade SI
