The European association which represents the common interests of the Machine Tool industries has issued a response to the European Parliament’s recent resolution on 3D printing.
The resolution, entitled ‘Three-dimensional printing: A challenge in the fields of intellectual property rights and civil liability’, has been criticised for potentially stifling innovation, and increasing regulation.
In a statement, CECIMO said that “Europe needs a more measured approach to avoid premature regulation that could negatively impact innovation in the EU.”
It added that the European Commission’s potential revision of the Liability and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regulatory framework for 3D printing in the EU “disregards the negative impact of these measures on innovation, as well as significant economic inefficiencies – including the administrative burden that copyright levy systems impose on the development of 3D printing in Europe.”
“CECIMO is glad that the European Parliament recognises the added value of 3D printing and its technological, economic and environmental benefits for Europe. We urge the European Institutions, however, to firmly differentiate between business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) uses of the technology, when approaching 3D printing from a regulatory perspective. 3D printing production methods are already subject to a high level of requirements in the sectors where this production method is applied.”
The association declared that will continue engaging with officials to get its message across, in the three months that the European Commission has to respond to the European Parliament’s resolution.
“Europe has a key position in several segments of the 3D printing market world-wide. For the full adoption of the technology to take place across the continent, it is of the utmost significance to avoid new regulatory actions on liability and IPR, which would stifle innovation and slow down the uptake of 3D printing in EU countries.”
