From the press release:

Photo Imaging Council continues to support international initiative against the reclassification of digital cameras by the European Commission

The international photo industry and photo traders continue to urge Brussels to comply with the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), countering arguments that digital cameras with a video function can be equated with dedicated camcorders in terms of customs legislation.

If the EC reclassification proposals are adopted, customs duties of 4.9% will be placed on digital cameras which have an auxiliary function for recording short video sequences. At present, no digital cameras are manufactured inside the European Union, so consumers in Europe would have to pay more for digital cameras in the future.

Representatives of CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association, Japan) have travelled to 20 of the EU Member States to lobby support for the international initiative. At a very recent meeting in London, it was encouraging to note that the UK authorities have indicated they will support Industry’s position at a meeting of the Nomenclature Committee this month. However, the April meeting is for discussion only and a vote will not be taken until early July by representatives of all 27 Member States which have one vote per country.