The European Parliament approved the free trade agreement with Canada (CETA) yesterday, with 408 votes in favour, 254 against and 33 abstentions.

The process now requires the European Parliament to notify its Canadian counterpart, which will then proceed with ratification. The agreement will then be applied provisionally, presumably from April 2017.

With provisional entry into force, tariff and non-tariff barriers will be eliminated immediately. For the final entry into force of the Agreement, however, ratification by all national parliaments of the Member States will be required.

The progress of the process will also depend on the ruling of the EU Court of Justice, which is due to rule on the EU-Singapore treaty.

The ruling, expected in the spring, should determine whether a similar treaty falls under exclusive European competence or whether, as it also covers investment and access to the services market, it should be classified as "mixed", thereby requiring the approval of national and certain regional parliaments.

Upon full implementation, CETA would eliminate duties on the majority of goods and services and allow for the mutual recognition of certification for a wide range of products.

The agreement also provides for Canada to open its federal and municipal public procurement markets to European companies (the European market is already accessible to Canada). European service providers in sectors such as maritime transport, telecommunications, engineering, environmental services and accounting would gain access to the Canadian market

During the negotiations, the EU secured the protection of over 140 European geographical indications for food and drink sold on the Canadian market. Clauses for sustainable development were also included to safeguard environmental and social standards and ensure that trade and investment promote them.

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/it/news-room/20170209IPR61728/ceta-il-parlamento-europeo-approva-l%E2%80%99accordo-commerciale-ue-canada