EU–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

KEY POINTS

• The agreement will create significant economic opportunities for companies, farmers, consumers, and protect workers and the environment through far-reaching, enforceable provisions on sustainable development. It builds on a partnership agreement between the parties, which came into force in 2022.
• It includes 27 chapters covering a wide range of issues and providing new and improved export opportunities for EU and New Zealand economic operators in goods and services. These include:
  • the removal of tariffs on key EU exports to New Zealand such as wine and sparkling wine, chocolate, sugar confectionary and biscuits;
  • opening New Zealand’s services market in key sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, maritime transport and delivery services;
  • ensuring reciprocal non-discriminatory treatment of EU investors in New Zealand;
  • protecting close to 2,000 EU wines and spirits, such as Rioja, Champagne and Tokaji, and 163 of the most renowned traditional EU products (geographical indications), such as Feta cheese and Elia Kalamatas olives;
  • facilitating data flows, predictable and transparent rules for digital trade and a secure online environment for consumers;
  • preventing unjustified data localisation requirements and retaining high personal data protection standards;
  • providing more help to small business exports with a dedicated chapter on small and medium-sized enterprises;
  • minimising compliance requirements and procedures to allow for a quicker flow of goods;
  • protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights, aligned with EU standards.

• The agreement is the first to fully integrate the EU’s new approach to trade and sustainable development and includes:
  • an ambitious chapter on trade and sustainable development that covers labour, women’s empowerment, and environmental and climate matters;
  • a chapter dedicated to sustainable food systems;
  • the removal of tariffs on green goods and services from the moment the agreement entered into force.