WASHINGTON DC - Stuart Eizenstat, the former U.S. Ambassador to the Europe, has reportedly warned of potential problems for U.S. and EU trade if political activists in Europe are allowed to undermine the new REACH chemical legislation.

LONDON – Exhibitors and organizers are urging support for National Electronics Week (NEW) the UK’s electronics industry exhibition, which holds its inaugural event at London’s Earls Court from June 17 to 19.

More than 300 UK-based companies and trade associations have signed up for the show, including Aeroflex, AFDEC, Agilent Technologies, BAE Systems, the Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network (E-KTN), Fuji, Intellect, the IPC, National Instruments, Pace Europe, Panasonic and Samsung. The show will also feature seminars and workshops from Advanced Rework Technology, the E-KTN, Intellect, the IPC and UKEA.

Ian Bell, marketing director at National Instruments says that the organizers have acted on feedback from the market and have put together an event which is a major networking opportunity, and a place to interact face-to-face and cross-fertilize with peers in the industry.

“The UK has a vibrant electronics industry and a worldwide reputation for designing, prototyping and producing seriously innovative electronics products,” said Bell. “It is important that UK-based companies, trade associations, government agencies and universities work together in partnership. NEW provides the forum to showcase our considerable talents and to forge such partnerships.”

Simon Payne, CEO of boundary scan test company XJTAG and sponsor of NEW said, “The UK electronics industry is the fifth largest in the world, yet we lack a single international event in the UK at which to showcase our considerable talents. That won’t happen unless the rally cry to visitors to attend this inaugural event is heard and acted upon by the electronics fraternity across the UK.”

Henry Parker of Intellect, the UK trade association for the electronics, IT and telecoms industries said, “As an industry we must work together to draw attention to the positive and growing contribution we make to the economy. We believe that National Electronics Week will help to reinforce the reality that electronics is a... successful element of the UK economy as a whole.”

Claire Jeffreys, NEW event director said: “National Electronics Week aims to bring the whole electronics industry together... drawing attention to the value of the electronics sector to the UK economy. We urge everyone to come along to the event, celebrate our world class capabilities and put the UK electronics industry back on the map!"

EUROPE - According to reports, the European Commission has “strongly rejected” the US complaint that the customs classification applied to specific technological products is not justified under the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).