3. PA’s Unique Synergy
• 20 years (established 1993) of advising companies and
governments on strategic communication/sustainability, CSR
approach and regulations
• Track Record of over 400 clients (industries, associations,
Governments, regions, NGOs)
• Global Network of PA/PA CSR companies – Europe, Asia,
Middle East, Russia and USA – Chairman Mark Eyskens former
Prime Minister of Belgium
• Advisory Board with Elder Statesmen, former politicians,
diplomats – access to national and international authorities
• Strong Relationship with Media and societal organisations
• Practicing what we preach through own PA International
Foundation
5. INFORMATION
REPRESENTATION
• Timely and relevant
intelligence, insights and
reporting
• Physically on the
ground and in the key
policy meetings
PA Europe
Support
Functions
ENGAGEMENT
• Targeted credible and
legitimate proposals to
key policy-makers
PROMOTION
• Organisation of specific
client focused events
with set deliverables
10. Also May 2013…..
Suffering from a rare birth
defect known as
tracheobronchomalacia
3 month old baby Kaiba
received a tiny airway
splint created using a
3D printer –
a real life saver!
11. 3D Printing – emerging opportunity?
They think so....
13. 3D Printing Expectations - Forbes
3D printing becomes industrial strength
3D printing starts saving lives
Customization becomes the norm
14. Product innovation is faster
New companies emerge with
innovative business models
3D print shops open on the
highstreet
Heated debates on IP
15. New products with magical
properties
New machines grace the factory
floor
“Look what I made!”
16. Regulatory Challenges
Intellectual property
• the 3D printing movement has been built on openness and
flexibility. However, if 3D printing is to move into complex, investmentintensive parts of the manufacturing industry there needs to be significant
incentive to invest in designs and patentable ideas, without fear of copying.
Regulation
• 3D printers may make it possible for people to produce dangerous items, such
as guns, in their homes. Regulators will want, as in California, to find suitable
ways of controlling and limiting such activities, without stifling the operation
of 3D printing markets.
Legal responsibility
• determining liability when 3D printed products cause accidents may not be
straightforward and may influence take-up of the technology and damage
consumer confidence.
17. Standards
• developing effective standards for parts, processes and safety will be needed
to help firms involved in 3D printing work together, and build
consumer confidence;
Materials
• 3D printers need suitable materials to unlock their full potential; ensuring
access to such materials is critical as well as competition - at present there are
only a few companies in this space.
Health and Safety
• whilst the existing frameworks will also be applicable in this area however
enforcement will be challenging. Different to legal responsibility there are also
issues of 'food safety' with 3D Printing.
Sustainability
• millions of 3D printers in the market and homes could lead to serious
questions on sustainability of 3D printing and the ecological footprint.
Businesses engaged in this market will have to find suitable materials and
introduce recycling systems.
18. Ethics
• as 3D printing develops, particularly towards 'bio-printing', there will be
questions and debates on the ethics of printing body parts and organs,
especially if these encourage unhealthy lifestyles or are for testing
purposes.
Health systems
• already a challenge in some countries is the reimbursement and
availability of 3D printed medical devices, such as artificial hips, teeth.
Skills and training
• already companies involved in 3D printing face a challenge in
recruitment. In the coming years this shortage will only increase and
policy makers need to start now looking to address this - ICT good
example with 1 million shortage by 2015 - compared to 20 million
unemployed.
20. European Parliamentary Questions
Wim van de Camp: Is the Commission aware of reports that 3D
printers make it possible for the general public to produce their own
pistols and ammunition?
Kathleen van Brempt: Are there any European or national quality
standards for the materials used in 3D printing? If not, does the
Commission plan to introduce such European quality standards?
Iñaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández: According to a study carried out by the
Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, 3D printers are a source of
ultrafine particles when they are in use. Is the Commission aware of this
study?
21. Negatives
European Parliament
questions on (potentially)
negative aspects of 3D
printing
Lack of knowledge on 3D
printing’s potential among
policy makers
Authorities Worry 3-D
Printers May Undermine
Europe’s Gun Laws
Positives
Commissioner Tajani: 3D
Printing key to industrial
revival of EU
European Commission seeks
'Capital of Innovation' to
stimulate 3D printing
Van Rompuy opened
Materialise World
Conference
European Spacy Agency
AMAZE Project
