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Sustainability Impact Assessments
The Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) is a DG Trade-specific tool for supporting major trade negotiations. SIAs provide the Commission with an in-depth analysis of the potential economic, social, human rights, and environmental impacts of ongoing trade negotiations.
These assessments are an opportunity for stakeholders in both the EU and in the partner countries to share their views with negotiators.
SIAs have several purposes, including:
- feeding information into and helping steer the negotiations
- assessing the changes that are likely to be caused by a trade agreement
- helping to identify possible trade-offs
- ensuring that the related policy choices are optimised
SIAs contribute to sound, evidence-based and transparent trade negotiations.
In the first tab you can access all the SIA reports ever published and the respective Commission position paper in response to the SIA, while on the second tab you can learn more about the methodological framework for SIAs.
Ongoing assessments
EU-SADC EPA - Angola's accession Show or hide
SIA in support of negotiations with Angola in view of Angola’s accession to the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and South African Development Community.
Terms of Reference - January 2021
EU-Eastern and Southern Africa - Deepening of the EPA Show or hide
SIA in support of negotiations with partner countries in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) in view of deepening the existing interim Economic Partnership Agreement.
Reports
- Final inception report - October 2020
Terms of Reference - December 2019
EU-Australia, EU-New Zealand free trade agreements negotiations Show or hide
SIA in support of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the European Union and Australia, and between the European Union and New Zealand.
More information about the SIAs and how to contribute to them: Australia – New Zealand.
Reports
- Draft Final Report (Australia) - December 2019
- Annexes - December 2019
- Draft Final Executive Summary - December 2019
- Draft Final Report (New Zealand) - December 2019
- Annexes - December 2019
- Draft Final Executive Summary - December 2019
- Inception Report (Australia) – May 2019
- Inception Report (New Zealand) – May 2019
Terms of Reference - August 2018
EU-Chile trade pillar modernisation negotiations Show or hide
SIA in support of negotiations for the modernization of the trade part of the Association Agreement with Chile
More information about the SIA - Chile and how to contribute to it
Position Paper
- Position paper - June 2020
Reports
- Final report - May 2019
- Interim report - November 2018
- Inception Report - July 2018
Terms of Reference - December 2017
EU-Philippines and EU-Malaysia free trade agreements negotiationsShow or hide
SIAs in support of free trade agreements (FTA) negotiations between the European Union and the Republic of the Philippines and between the European Union and Malaysia
Reports
- Interim Report (Philippines) - December 2018
- Interim Report (Malaysia) - December 2018
- Inception Report (Philippines) - May 2018
- Inception Report (Malaysia) - May 2018
Terms of Reference - August 2017
EU-Mercosur Association Agreement NegotiationsShow or hide
SIA in support of association agreement (AA) negotiations between the European Union and Mercosur
More information about the SIA - Mercosur and how to contribute to it
Reports
- Draft Final Report - July 2020
- Interim Report - February 2020
- Inception Report - January 2018
Terms of Reference - March 2017
Completed assessments
2020/06: EU-Indonesia free trade agreement negotiationsShow or hide
SIA in support of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the European Union and the Republic of Indonesia
Position paper
- Position Paper - June 2020
Reports
- Final Report (Indonesia) - August 2019
- Interim Report (Indonesia) - April 2019
- Inception Report (Indonesia) - May 2018
Terms of Reference - August 2017
2020/01: EU-Mexico trade pillar modernisation negotiations Show or hide
SIA in support of negotiations for modernization of the trade pillar of the Global Agreement with Mexico
Position paper
- Position Paper - January 2020
Reports
- Final Report - September 2019
- Interim Report - April 2018
- Inception Report - November 2017
Terms of Reference - May 2017
2018/05: EU-China investment agreementShow or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of an investment agreement between the European Union and the People's Republic of China
More information about SIA - China and how to contribute to it
Position Paper
- Position Paper - May 2018
Reports
- Final Report - November 2017
- Executive Summary in EN - November 2017
- Executive Summary in FR - November 2017
- Executive Summary in ZH - November 2017
- Interim Report - June 2017
- Inception Report - June 2016
Terms of Reference - October 2015
2017/07: Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA)Show or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of a plurilateral Trade in Services Agreement
More information about SIA - TiSA and how to contribute to it
Position Paper
- Position Paper - July 2017
Reports
- Final Report - June 2017
- Annexes - June 2017
- Executive Summary in EN - July 2017
- Executive Summary in FR - July 2017
- Interim Report - February 2017
- Inception Report - July 2014
Terms of Reference - May 2013
2017/03: EU-USA (TTIP)Show or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of a comprehensive trade and investment agreement between the European Union and the United States of America
More information about SIA - TTIP
Position Paper
- Position Paper - March 2017
Reports
- Final Report - March 2017
- Annexes - March 2017
- Executive Summary in EN - March 2017
- Executive Summary in FR - March 2017
- Executive Summary in DE - March 2017
- Interim Report - July 2016
- Annexes - July 2016
- Inception Report - April 2014
Terms of Reference - July 2013
2016/06: EU-Myanmar investment protection agreementShow or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of an investment protection agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
More information about SIA - Myanmar
Position Paper
- Position Paper - April 2017
Reports
- Final Report - June 2016
- Executive Summary in EN - June 2016
- Executive Summary in FR - June 2016
- Executive Summary in MY - June 2016
- Inception Report - December 2015
Terms of Reference - June 2015
2016/04: EU-JapanShow or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of a comprehensive trade and investment agreement between the European Union and Japan
More information about SIA - Japan
Position Paper
- Position Paper - February 2017
Reports
- Final Report - April 2016
- Executive Summary in EN - April 2016
- Executive Summary in FR - April 2016
- Executive Summary in DE - April 2016
- Interim Report - July 2015
- Inception Report - March 2015
Terms of Reference - February 2014
2016/03: Green Goods InitiativeShow or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of an Environmental Goods Agreement (Green Goods Initiative)
Position Paper
Reports
- Final Report - April 2016
- Executive Summary in EN - April 2016
- Executive Summary in FR - April 2016
- Interim Report - October 2015
- Annex III: (Interim Report) Stakeholder Questionnaire Report - October 2015
- Inception Report - May 2015
Terms of Reference - September 2014
2014/11: EU-Egypt and EU-Jordan DCFTAShow or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of a deep and comprehensive free trade area between the European Union and respectively Egypt and Jordan
Position Papers
- Position Paper (Egypt) - December 2016
- Position Paper (Jordan) - December 2016
Reports
- Final Report (Egypt) - November 2014
- Executive Summary in Arabic (Egypt) - November 2014
- Final Report (Jordan) - September 2014
- Executive Summary in Arabic (Jordan) - September 2014
- Interim Report (Egypt) - June 2014
- Annexes (Interim Report Egypt) - June 2014
- Interim Report (Jordan) - July 2014
- Annexes (Interim Report Jordan) - July 2014
- Inception Report (Egypt) - March 2014
- Inception Report (Jordan) - March 2014
Terms of Reference - July 2012
2013/11: EU-Morocco and EU-Tunisia DCFTAShow or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of a deep and comprehensive free trade area between the European Union and respectively Morocco and Tunisia
Position Papers
- Position Paper (Morocco) - April 2015
- Position Paper (Tunisia) - April 2015
Reports
- Final Report (Morocco) - November 2013
- Final Report (Tunisia) - November 2013
- Interim Report (Morocco) - July 2013
- Interim Report (Tunisia) - July 2013
- Inception Report (Morocco) - April 2013
- Inception Report (Tunisia) - April 2013
Terms of Reference - July 2012
2013/09: EU-Armenia DCFTAShow or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of a deep and comprehensive free trade area between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia
Position Paper
- Position Paper - June 2014
Reports
- Final Report - September 2013
- Inception Report - January 2013
Terms of Reference - June 2012
2012/12: EU-Georgia and EU-Moldova DCFTAShow or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of a deep and comprehensive free trade area between the European Union and respectively Georgia and the Republic of Moldova
Position Paper
- Position Paper - April 2014
Reports
- Final Report - October 2012
- Annexes (Georgia) - October 2012
- Annexes (Moldova) - October 2012
- Executive Summary in Georgian - October 2012
- Executive Summary in Moldovan - October 2012
- Executive Summary in Russian - October 2012
- Interim Report - July 2012
- Inception Report - March 2012
Terms of Reference - July 2011
2011/06: EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)Show or hide
SIA in support of negotiations of comprehensive economic & trade agreement between the European Union and Canada
Position Paper
- Position Paper - April 2017
Reports
- Final Report - June 2011
- Annexes - June 2011
- Briefing Document - June 2011
- Interim Report - December 2010
- Inception Report - October 2010
Terms of reference - May 2010
2009/10: EU-Andean Community Association AgreementShow or hide
Position Paper
Reports
- Final Report - October 2009
- Executive Summary of Final Report, Spanish translation - October 2009
- Draft Interim Technical Report - May 2009
- Inception Report - February 2009
Terms of reference - August 2008
2009/10: EU-Libya Free Trade Agreement (FTA)Show or hide
Reports
- Final Report - October 2009
- Executive Summary of Final Report, Arabic translation - October 2009
- Draft Interim Technical Report - May 2009
- Inception Report - February 2009
Terms of reference - August 2008
2009/09: EU-Central America Association AgreementShow or hide
Position Paper
Reports
Phase II
- Final Report - September 2009
- Annexes - September 2009
- Executive Summary of Revised Final Report, Spanish translation - September 2009
Phase I
- Final Interim Technical Report (Phase 1) - May 2009
- Annexes - May 2009
- Inception Report - February 2009
Terms of reference - August 2008
2009/06: EU-ASEAN Countries Free Trade Agreement (FTA)Show or hide
Position Paper
- June 2010
- Annex - Singapore Position Paper - June 2010
- Annex - Malaysia Position Paper - January 2011
- Annex - Vietnam Position Paper - May 2013
- Civil Society Minutes Meeting - April 2010
Reports
Phase III
- Final Report - June 2009
- Annexes - June 2009
Phase II
- Interim Report - April 2009
Phase I
- Global Analysis Report - November 2008
- Inception Report - May 2008
Terms of reference - October 2007
2009/05: EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA)Show or hide
Position Paper
- March 2010
- Civil Society Minutes Meeting - June 2010
Reports
Phase III
- Final Report - May 2009
Phase II
- Final Midterm Report - December 2008
Phase I
- Final Global Analysis Report - August 2008
- Inception Report - April 2008
Terms of Reference - October 2007
2009/03: EU-Mercosur Association Agreement NegotiationsShow or hide
Position Paper
Reports
Phase II
- Final Reports - March 2009
- Midterm Reports - June 2008
- Inception Report es pt
Phase I
- Final Reports - November 2007
- Mid-Term Reports - April 2007
- Inception Report - September 2006
Terms of Reference - October 2003
2008/08: EU-China Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA)Show or hide
Position Paper
Reports
Phase III
- Final Report - August 2008
Phase II
- Machinery
- Environmental Goods and Services
- Financial Services
- Chemicals
- Agriculture
- Government Procurement
- Intellectual Property Rights
Phase I
- Draft Global Analysis Report - August 2007
- Inception Report - May 2007
Terms of Reference - July 2006
2008/06: EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA)Show or hide
Position Paper
Reports
Phase III
- Final Report - June 2008
- Executive Summary of Draft Final Report, Korean translation - February 2008
Phase II
- Midterm Report - June 2008
- Executive Summary of Draft Midterm Report, Korean translation - February 2008
Phase I
- Global Analysis Report - January 2008
- Inception Report - October 2007
Terms of Reference - September 2007
2007/12: EU-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (FTA)Show or hide
Position Paper
Reports
- Executive Summaries (all 3 Phases), Ukrainian translation - December 2007
Phase III
- Final Report - December 2007
- Final Report Annex - December 2007
Phase II
- Final Midterm Report - October 2007
Phase I
- Global Analysis Report - August 2007
- Inception report - April 2007
Terms of Reference - September 2006
2007/11: Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area (EMFTA)Show or hide
The lead Directorate General of the Commission for this Trade SIA is AIDCO.
Position Paper
Reports
Phase III
- Final Report - November 2007
Phase II
- Final Report - March 2006 - [Translations are available in French and Arabic]
- Interim (Scenario Progress) Report - July 2005
- Baseline Report (First Report of Phase II) - June 2005
Phase I
- Final Report - September 2004
Terms of Reference - April 2003
2007/05: EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA)Show or hide
Position Paper
Reports
Phase IV
- Final Report
Phase III
- Final Reports
- Southern African Development Community (SADC): Rules of Origin - October 2006
- Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC): Financial Services - September 2006
- Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA): Horticulture - September 2006
Phase II
- Final Reports - July 2005
Phase I
- Final Reports - February 2004
- Regional Trade SIAs - January 2004
Regional consultation meetings
2006/06: WTO Negotiations, Overview assessment of the DDA (Phase III)Show or hide
Development of a methodology for use in Phase Three Trade SIA studies of ongoing and projected WTO negotiations
Reports
- Final Report Market Access – May 2003
- Final Report Competition – May 2003
- Final Report Environmental Services – May 2003
- Final Report Potential Impacts of the Doha Agenda – June 2003
- Final Report Individual Trade Measures – June 2003
- Final Report Distribution Services – June 2005
- Final Report Forest – June 2005
- Final Report Agriculture – September 2005
- Final Report Fisheries – July 2006
- Final Report Overview – July 2006
Terms of Reference - March 2002
2004/05: EU-Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) Trade NegotiationsShow or hide
Position Paper
Reports
- Final Report - May 2004
- Interim (Methodology) Report - July 2003
- Inception Report - March 2003
Terms of reference - May 2002
2002/12: EU-Chile Association Agreement NegotiationsShow or hide
Reports
- Final Report - December 2002
- Preliminary Assessment - October 2002
Terms of Reference - December 2001
2002/05: WTO Negotiations in the major Food Crops Sector)Show or hide
Trade SIA on the sectoral assessment of the liberalisation of the food crops sector in WTO negotiations
Reports
- Final report – May 2002
Terms of Reference - March 2002
1999/11: WTO New Round (Seattle) – Phase IIShow or hide
Trade SIA on the sectoral assessment of the liberalisation of the food crops sector in WTO negotiations
Reports
- Final report – November 1999
Terms of Reference - April 1999
How are the assessments carried out?
Sustainability Impact Assessment handbook
The European Commission published a second edition of the handbook for sustainability impact assessment in 2016.
It replaces the SIA handbookof 2006 and sets out the main characteristics, objectives and principles of the new generation of SIAs.
The handbook should be used alongside the Guidelines on the analysis of human rights impact in impact assessments of trade-related policy initiatives and the Better Regulation Guidelines
SIAs are independent assessments produced by external consultants and take place during trade negotiations.
Each SIA varies depending on the type of trade deal being negotiated, but generally consists of three phases: the inception report, the interim report and the final report.
In the inception phase the consultants propose:
- the method to be used when examining the impact of the potential trade agreement
- a list of stakeholders to be consulted
- the economic sectors to be analysed
In the interim phase the consultants use their methodology to present the expected impacts of the trade deal. Stakeholders are invited to contribute through workshops, questionnaires, interviews, etc.
In the final phase the consultants refine their analyses and conclusions for the final report. This report must be understandable for all audiences, summarise their findings, and give recommendations to maximise the benefits of the proposed agreement and mitigate possible negative impacts.
All reports are released in draft form for feedback from stakeholders before being finalised. The Commission then prepares a position paper to give its views on the report and explain how the SIA conclusions have or will influence negotiations.
If you have a general enquiry about SIAs, please contact us.