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This week, from October 9th to 12th, representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will be visiting Latvia to begin work on the research of Latvia's market surveillance and intellectual property systems. At the conclusion of the research project, the OECD will develop recommendations for improving the operations and necessary reforms in these areas.
The primary goal of market surveillance is to protect consumers from risks and threats to their life, health, and finances, which is ensured by an effectively functioning market surveillance system and successful fulfillment of responsibilities by all involved parties. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that products in the European Single Market are safe and meet requirements. Achieving this goal requires a risk-based and data-driven approach, as well as optimal performance of supervisory authorities.
During this week's visit, OECD experts will meet with various institutions involved in Latvia's market surveillance, responsible ministries, and representatives from the non-governmental sector to gain an in-depth understanding of the current Latvian market surveillance system, its challenges, evaluate the existing system, and develop proposals for improvement. More information about the existing market surveillance policy and goals, as well as the involved regulatory institutions, can be found on the Ministry of Economics website.
Similarly, in the field of intellectual property, the project aims to provide support to Latvia in improving its intellectual property ecosystem, strengthening the use of intellectual property, promoting innovation, and enhancing the competitiveness of businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is necessary to enhance mechanisms and networks for intellectual property management in Latvia to promote innovation, protect investments, and increase the competitiveness of SMEs. As part of the project initiation event, representatives from the intellectual property sector will meet with OECD experts to discuss the project's future steps in detail.
OECD experts are commencing the research within the framework of the Structural Reform Support Programme project "Building a More Effective and Efficient Market Surveillance and Intellectual Property System for Latvia." The project is planned to be implemented in two parts, focusing on Latvia's market surveillance and intellectual property systems. As a result, proposals for reforms in both areas will be prepared. The total implementation period of the project is 24 months, and it is being carried out within the framework of the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Programme.