CHAMBRE SYNDICALE DE L'ESTAMPE, DU DESSIN ET DU TABLEAU

The Chambre Syndicale de l’Estampe du Dessin et du Tableau is a professional association founded in 1919 and regulated by French law No. 3386 of 1884.

The activities of the Chambre Syndicale include:

protecting the interests of the profession,
advising the members of new rules and regulations (tax, customs and social)
encouraging adherence to the Code de Déontologie (Code of Ethics) and Charte de l’Estampe
Originale (Etching Charter)
participation in the organisation of fairs and exhibitions
liaison with public bodies.

The Chambre Syndicale is affiliated to the following Federations:

FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN ART GALLERIES ASSOCIATIONS (FEAGA)
CONFEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DES NEGOCIANTS EN OEUVRES D’ART (CINOA)
CONFEDERATION FRANCAISE DES METIERS D’ART (CFMA)

In France the Chambre Syndicale participates particularly in:

The Observatory for the International Movement of Works of Art (Museums of France Directorate)
Art Market Liaison Committee (members include galleries, experts and auctioneers).
Artists’ Group (the organisation charged by the Ministry with the management of the measures
for social protection of artists in graphics and visual arts)
Group of 10 (professional bodies group belonging to the National Collective Convention on
non-food retail businesses).
National Committee of Engravers (Bibliothèque Nationale) etc.
In 1937 the Chambre Syndicale was one of the parties responsible for the formulation of the
DEFINITION DE L’ESTAMPE ORIGINALE (original etchings definition) and the CHARTE DE
L’ESTAMPE (etching charter) for SAGA 96.
The Chambre Syndicale is closely involved with the MINISTERES DE TUTELLE (Trust Ministries)
and the BRUSSELS COMMISSION for the purpose of representing the profession.

Main measures in which the Chambre Syndicale was involved:

1975 Creation of social security guidelines for the visual arts
1982 Exemption of original works of art from the wealth tax
1988 Formulation and implementation of a national collective convention
1992 Negotiation for a reduced VAT rate
1994 New European procedure for the export of cultural property (export certificate)
1996 Formulation and publication of the charter on original etchings
1997 Development of the 7th European directive (VAT)
1999 Reduction of the flat rate of tax on capital gains on works of art
2000 Representations in regard to the European directive on Droit de Suite
2001 Representations against the ratification of the "Unidroit" convention
2002 Representations within the framework of the 7th European directive (VAT)
2002 Creation and organisation of the first International Paris Print Fair
2003 Second International Paris Print Fair
2004 Third International Paris Print Fair in Carrousel du Louvre.