HP Policy Priorities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Company information

HP believes innovation increases productivity, which leads to job creation and economic development in Europe. Accordingly, HP supports public policies that maximize the ability of individuals and companies to innovate with a view to benefiting EU citizens, strengthening the EU economy, and helping companies based in Europe - irrespective of their parentage - to succeed in the global marketplace.

Innovation/Competitiveness

• Copyright levies: HP calls for a reform of the current EU copyright levy regime, which is inconsistently and randomly applied across the EU hurting consumers and industry alike.
• R&D/Innovation: HP supports initiatives promoting technological innovation and R&D across Europe and plays a leading role in the European Technology Platform on Software and Services (NESSI) and Networked and Electronic Media (NEM) platform.
• RFID: HP supports policies that encourage widespread adoption of the technology whilst creating an environment whereby EU consumers are aware of the considerable benefits of RFID and have full confidence in its various applications.
• eSkills: HP supports pan-European actions to improve the eSkills of its citizens, with a view to promoting economic growth and bridging the digital divide.

Environment and Energy

• Recycling & take-back: HP is a leader in electronics recycling and supports the objectives of the EU Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, in particular the provisions on “individual producer responsibility” which stimulate competition and innovation.
• Energy efficiency: HP supports policies that promote the potential of ICT solutions to improve the energy efficiency of organisations and society at large, including more efficient eGovernment, eLogistics, and eBusiness practices. Furthermore, we support the stimulation of demand for green IT products, for example through the use of the Energy Star label.

External Relations

• IT Agreement (WTO): HP encourages the EU to respect the spirit of the agreement and refrain from introducing import duties on innovative products.
• Trade: HP supports the liberalisation of services and goods in the framework of the WTO and calls for a renewed efforts to conclude the Doha Round.
• Transatlantic regulatory dialogue: HP supports increased cooperation and the removal of regulatory barriers on both sides of the Atlantic.