Leaders from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® joined several partner associations in Kyoto, Japan, at the Fourth Annual Japan/US/EU Trilateral IT-Electronics Associations Meeting to address key issues affecting the global consumer technology industry.

At the April meetings, the CEA worked together with the Information and Technology Industry Council (ITIC), the European Information and Communications Technology Industry Association (EICTA) and the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) to advance global CE industry issues.

“The annual trilateral meeting with our international counterparts is critical to reaching a global consensus regarding policy issues that impact the growth of our industry,” said Elizabeth Hyman, vice president, international, CEA. “CEA’s members look to our association to expand the international scope of our industry. The trilateral meeting enables us to continue an open dialogue with our European and Japanese colleagues, and allows CEA to address key issues, including environmental and trade policy, that affect our industry on a global level.”

The trade associations discussed policy challenges including environmentally sustainable practices, end-of-life management for electronics products and international trade. Following the meeting, a joint statement was drafted addressing energy efficiency, materials regulations, green procurement and global trade. The formal joint statement issued by CEA, ITIC, EICTA and JEITA is available online at www.CE.org.

In 2009, CEA and ITIC will host the Fifth Annual Trilateral IT-Electronics Associations Meeting in Washington, DC. For more information on environmental and trade policies impacting consumer technology, visit www.CE.org.