Dental Regulation — Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations
Given the demonstrated benefits that flow from internationally harmonised regulations for dental products, the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) is broadly supportive of negotiations supporting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade framework.
The TPP free trade agreement is viewed by ADIA as an important opportunity to secure the international harmonisation of the medical device regulatory framework. The outcomes will be a reduction in the cost of providing dental care to ordinary Australians and an enhanced capacity for Australian manufacturers of dental product to export overseas. A copy of ADIA's to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) can be downloaded from the link below:
The TPP negotiations commenced in March 2010 in Melbourne, with the participation of Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Peru, the United States and Vietnam. Malaysia joined the negotiations in October 2010 at the third round of negotiations. TPP Parties intend to develop a high-quality, comprehensive twenty-first century Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that increases economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly as membership expands over time.
ADIA's submission was tendered to DFAT in January 2011 which will be reviewed by the ADIA-DRC Dental Regulation Committee which will also be tasked with supporting ADIA's ongoing involvement in this process.
If you have any questions concerning this matter please send an email to dental.regulation@adia.org.au or telephone 1300 943 094 (internationally on +61 2 9319 5631).