Tag Archives: Standardisation

Technical implications of road safety

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Technical implications of road safety

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Technical implications of road safety

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Internal market > Motor vehicles > Technical implications of road safety

Technical implications of road safety

The technical implications of road safety cover both vehicle and infrastructure safety. By 2020, the European Commission aims to halve the number of deaths on the roads (in relation to the 2010 figures) in the European Union (EU).
To achieve this objective, the Commission promotes the use of modern technologies to improve road safety. It defines a legislative framework which aims to make vehicles and road infrastructure safer. The protection of vulnerable passengers is also a policy priority.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

  • General safety of motor vehicles
  • Road safety: Road Safety Action Programme (2003-2010)
  • Road safety: cross-border application of the legislation
  • EC type-approval system for motor vehicles

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Restraint devices for passengers

  • Passenger restraint devices on two-wheel vehicles
  • Compulsory fitting of safety belts

Vehicle protection in the event of impact

  • Motor vehicles with trailers: front underrun protection devices (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: protection of occupants in the event of a frontal impact (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: behaviour of steering device under impact (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: lateral protection for goods vehicles (until 2014)

Reduction of blind spots

  • Rear-view mirrors and supplementary devices for indirect vision (until 2014)

Protection of vulnerable road users

  • Protection of pedestrians and vulnerable road users
  • Protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users
  • Vulnerable road users and frontal protection systems

Control devices

  • Speed limitation on-board devices of certain categories of motor vehicles (until 2014)
  • Maximum authorised settings for speed limitation devices in commercial vehicles
  • Driving time in the road transport sector

Intelligent automobile security systems

  • Le service eCall
    (FR)
  • eCall: Time for deployment
  • eSafety: the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for road safety
  • In-vehicle emergency call system “eCall” (Second eSafety Communication)
  • i2010 Intelligent Car Initiative (third eSafety communication)

Radio Frequency Identification in Europe: steps towards a policy framework

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Radio Frequency Identification in Europe: steps towards a policy framework

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Radio Frequency Identification in Europe: steps towards a policy framework

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Information society > Radiofrequencies

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in Europe: steps towards a policy framework

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 15 March 2007 – “Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in Europe: steps towards a policy framework” [COM(2007) 96 – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

RFID is a method for exchanging information between a marker (radio tag) *, which can be incorporated into any object, and a reader, a wireless device that identifies the information using radiofrequencies. The technology is more powerful when the reader is linked to communication networks such as the internet, which makes the information available over the world-wide web.

The widespread deployment of RFID technology is an important stage in the development of many sectors, including transport, health and retail trade. Its applications range from the traceability of food, to automated payments, and the mobility and observation of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It can therefore have a significant contribution to improving the lives of citizens.

However, the technology also raises concerns about the protection of privacy, health and the environment.

From a technical and commercial point of view, RFID is ready for mass deployment. However, there are some outstanding issues relating to the legal and policy framework for the technology.

Confidentiality and Security

RFID technology raises confidentiality issues and security concerns as it can be used to gather and distribute personal data. As a result, it is difficult to achieve wide public acceptance of the technology, as the public wants to see measures taken to protect its rights. For this reason, the social, political, ethical and legal implications of the deployment of RFID should be taken into account.

Under the current legislation, the national public authorities are responsible for ensuring the application of national legislation as regards data processing procedures, including for RFID applications. As regards the security of the RFID system, the Member States, the Commission and businesses should take concerted action concerning technical and organisational aspects and business procedures. To this end, the Commission encourages the consolidation of good practice and the drawing up of design criteria for RFID technology so risks are restricted from the start.

Reducing the threat to security and privacy requires permanent scrutiny of all implications of RFID. To that end, an approach that focuses on each individual RFID application may prove more effective than a more general approach, because each application has its own risks and advantages.

Awareness and information campaigns can play a key role here. The Commission’s public consultation indicated that the general public is often poorly informed about the possibilities and challenges of RFID technology.

The European Union has put in place a vast array of legal instruments to protect personal data. The importance of protecting personal data is recognised in the EC Treaty (Article 16) and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 8). Moreover, the European legislative framework in this field is defined by the general Data Protection Directive and the ePrivacy Directive. These Directives guarantee the protection of personal data, while taking account of innovations in data processing procedures.

Database management

Data storage and access also constitute problems for the drawing up of policy on the deployment of RFID. Given this new phase in the development of the internet, account should be taken of possible breakdowns in or accidental damage to the technology, as well as of individuals who might seek to exploit the technology for their own ends. The World Summit on the Information Society provides a framework for the emerging policy debate on this subject.

Radio spectrum*

The availability of radio frequencies and the harmonisation of conditions for their use are key issues in the functioning of RFID applications in Europe. The Commission’s streamlining of the use of the radio spectrum within the EU has since 2002 provided a new basis for the deployment of RFID technology.

Standards

The standards governing RFID must facilitate the harmonious distribution of services, while taking account of the rapid development of the technology. Participants in the consultation have expressed the view that the Commission should play a more active role in promoting interoperability and the streamlining of international standards.

Environmental and health issues

Environmental concerns relate to the processing of waste and the use of dangerous substances. These issues are dealt with in the Community legislation on electrical and electronic equipment. As regards health concerns, even though the effects of exposing the population and workers to the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) * of RFIDs are thought to be low, they continue to cause a range of concerns. Moreover, the Community legal framework limits exposure to EMFs.

Background

The deployment of RFID solutions goes hand in hand with enhancing the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in developing the European economy. ICT must become one of the leading sectors of our economy.

Key terms used in the act
  • Electronic chip (or integrated circuit): electronic component whose size can now be reduced to that of a dot. Silicon is the basic raw material used to manufacture it.
  • ag (or marker): small object composed of a chip attached to an antenna. These two components are enclosed in a container that can be incorporated into some objects. The device sends information via radio waves that can be captured by an appropriate reader and potentially placed on the Internet.
  • Radio spectrum: the entirety of radio frequencies available for the transmission of information.
  • magnetic fields: area in which electromagnetic forces are exerted. The intensity of the field varies, as the forces intensify as they approach the antenna. Prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields may have negative effects on human health. However, according to the World Health Organisation, the level of exposure to the radio frequencies from base stations and wireless networks is so low that there is no reason to be concerned about its effect on human health.

Common procurement vocabulary

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Common procurement vocabulary

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Common procurement vocabulary

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Internal market > Businesses in the internal market > Public procurement

Common procurement vocabulary

Document or Iniciative

Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 November 2002 on the Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) [See amending acts].

Summary

The Regulation establishes a single classification system: the Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV). This classification endeavours to cover all requirements for supplies, works and services. By standardising the references used by contracting authorities to describe the subject matter of their contracts, the CPV improves the transparency of public procurement covered by Community directives.

The CPV attaches to each numerical code a description of the subject of the contract, for which there is a version in each of the official languages of the EU. The CPV consists of:

  • a main vocabulary containing a series of numerical codes comprising eight digits each and subdivided into divisions, groups, classes and categories. A ninth digit serves to verify the previous digits;
  • a supplementary vocabulary expanding the description of the subject of a contract by adding further details regarding the nature or destination of the goods to be purchased.

The list of CPV codes and the tables of correspondence between the CPV and other nomenclatures can be consulted on the Internet site: System of Information on Public Procurement (SIMAP).

To remain effective, the CPV evolves in line with market developments. This is why the structure of the supplementary vocabulary has undergone radical changes, thereby including the characteristics of products and services and reducing the number of codes in the main vocabulary.

The latest review of the CPV was designed to make it more user-friendly by focusing it less on materials and more on products. In addition, the CPV’s hierarchy was rationalised.

The TED database ensures that notices of public tenders subject to European directives are published in the Official Journal ‘S’ series. Since 20 December 2003, TED has used the CPV codes which will become compulsory with the adoption of the revised European directives.

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002

16.12.2003

–

OJ L 340 of 16.12.2002
Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 596/2009

7.8.2009

–

OJ L 188 of 18.7.2009

Successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002 have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated version is for reference purposes only.

Related Acts

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2151/2003 of 16 December 2003 [Official Journal L 329 of 17.12.2003].
This Regulation makes technical adjustments and improvements which were identified as being necessary during the legislative process leading to the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 2195/2002 but which could not be taken into account in that Regulation and should be introduced in the Annexes to that Regulation.

Regulation (EC) No 451/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008 establishing a new statistical classification of products by activity (CPA) and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3696/93 (Text with EEA relevance) [Official Journal L 145 of 4.6.2008].

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products

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Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Internal market > Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products

The European pharmaceutical industry has an important role to play in ensuring that the people of Europe enjoy a good standard of health. The European Union strives, therefore, to guarantee broad access to medicinal products, to provide the public with high quality information, and to ensure that the medicinal products manufactured are safe and effective. The single market for pharmaceutical products makes it possible to achieve these aims by increasing the competitiveness of the industry through promoting research and innovation for the benefit of the public.
The European cosmetic industry is an important employer. 150 000 people work in the industry itself, and the sale, distribution and transport of cosmetics indirectly creates a further 350 000 jobs. With a production value of more than €35 billion, this innovative industry is a world leader in the field. The European Union aims to ensure free movement of cosmetic products in the internal market and to guarantee that the products are safe.

Single Market and the pharmaceutical industry

  • A renewed vision for the pharmaceutical sector
  • Parallel imports of proprietary medicinal products
  • A call for action to strengthen the European-based pharmaceutical industry for the benefit of the patient
  • IMI Joint Undertaking

Common provisions for medicines for human and veterinary use

  • Authorisation and supervision of medicinal products – European Medicines Agency
  • Good laboratory practice: tests on chemical substances
  • Good laboratory practice: inspection and verification of laboratory studies on all chemicals
  • Colouring matters for medicinal products (recast)
  • Supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products
  • Protection of laboratory animals
  • European Pharmacopoeia

Medicinal products for human consumption

  • Community code relating to medicinal products for human use
  • Good manufacturing practice in respect of medicinal products for human use and investigational medicinal products for human use
  • Advanced therapy medicinal products
  • Medicinal products for paediatric use
  • Price of medicinal products for human use: pricing and health insurance
  • Good clinical practice
  • Orphan medicinal products
  • Pharmaceutical Committee

Medicinal products for veterinary use

  • Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products
  • Good manufacturing practice for veterinary medicinal products
  • Residues of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin
  • Preparation and marketing of medicated foodstuffs for animals

Cosmetic products

  • Cosmetic products (from 2013)
  • Cosmetic products (until 2013)

Patents and invention protection

  • Community patent
  • Legal protection of biotechnological inventions
  • Patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering: implementation report (2002)
  • Agreement on intellectual property rights relating to trade and pharmaceutical patents

Multilateral trade

  • Essential medicines for developing countries (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria)
  • Compulsory licensing system for the production and export of generic medicinal products to developing countries
  • Duty free treatment

Motor vehicles

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Motor vehicles

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Motor vehicles

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Internal market > Single Market for Goods > Motor vehicles

Motor vehicles

The car industry accounts for 3% of European GDP and 7% of employment in the manufacturing sector, and is emerging as a key sector in the European economy. The European car industry must be strong in its resolve to meet the challenges of preserving and improving the sector’s global competitiveness while achieving further progress in terms of safety and environmental performance and guaranteeing acceptable prices for consumers.

 

  • Technical harmonisation for motor vehicles
  • Technical implications of road safety
  • Interactions between the automobile industry and specific policies

Technical harmonisation for motor vehicles

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Technical harmonisation for motor vehicles

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Technical harmonisation for motor vehicles

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Internal market > Motor vehicles > Technical harmonisation for motor vehicles

Technical harmonisation for motor vehicles

Technical harmonisation for motor vehicles, implemented at Community level pursuant to Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), is based on the Community’s WVTA (whole vehicle type-approval) system.
Under this system, manufacturers can obtain certification for a vehicle type in one Member State if it meets the harmonised technical requirements and then market it EU-wide with no need for further tests.
Total technical harmonisation has already been achieved in different vehicle categories (passenger cars, motorcycles, agricultural and forestry tractors, utility vehicles, coaches, moped and motorcycle trailers) and will soon be extended to other vehicle categories (other types of tractors and trailers).
It is essential that European car manufacturers be ensured access to as large a market as possible. While the Community type-approval system allows manufacturers to benefit fully from the opportunities offered by the internal market, worldwide technical harmonisation in the context of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) offers them a market which extends beyond European borders.

FRAMEWORK FOR THE TECHNICAL HARMONISATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

  • A competitive automotive regulatory framework for the 21st Century
  • Global technical harmonisation of vehicles

TECHNICAL HARMONISATION IN THE INTERNAL MARKET

Motor Vehicles and Trailers

  • EC type-approval system for motor vehicles
  • General safety of motor vehicles
  • Emissions from heavy duty vehicles (Euro VI): certification rules
  • Windscreen defrosting and demisting systems for motor vehicles
  • Rear registration plates on motor vehicles
  • Motor vehicle towing devices
  • Windscreen wiper and washer systems of motor vehicles
  • Motor vehicle wheel guards
  • Manufacturer’s statutory plate and identification number for motor vehicles
  • Spray-suppression systems for motor vehicles
  • Installation of tyres
  • Tyre labelling
  • Engine power of motor vehicles and trailers (up until 2013)
  • Motor vehicles and their trailers: steering equipment (until 2014)
  • Braking devices of certain motor vehicles (until 2014)
  • Direction indicator lamps for motor vehicles with trailers (until 2014)
  • Parking lamps on motor vehicles (until 2014)
  • Front fog lamps on motor vehicles (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: rear fog lamps (until 2014)
  • Headlamps which function as main-beam and/or dipped-beam headlamps for motor vehicles (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: liquid fuel tanks and rear underrun protection devices
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: tyres (until 2017)
  • Technical standards: tyre pressure gauges for motor vehicles (until December 2015)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: spray-suppression devices (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: heating systems for the passenger compartment (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: interior fittings (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: cabs of commercial vehicles (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: fire behaviour of the materials used in the internal fittings of buses and coaches (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: safety glass and glazing materials
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: mechanical coupling devices (until 2014)
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: masses and dimensions of cars (until 2014)
  • Road safety: dimensions and maximum weights authorised for both national and international journeys
  • The reusing, recycling and recovering of motor vehicles
  • Reduction of pollutant emissions from light vehicles
  • Emissions from diesel and gas engines (up until 2013)
  • Emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: permissible sound level

Two or three-wheeled motorised vehicles

  • Two or three-wheeled motor vehicles: EC type-approval system
  • Two or three-wheeled motor vehicles: components and characteristics
  • Two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles: maximum design speed
  • Lighting and light-signalling for two or three-wheel motor vehicles
  • Two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles: audible warning device
  • Controls, tell-tales and indicators for two or three-wheel motor vehicles
  • Rear registration plates of two or three-wheel motor vehicles
  • Two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles: braking devices
  • Two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles: maximum dimensions, masses and loads
  • Statutory markings for two- or three-wheel motor vehicles
  • Two- or three-wheeled motor vehicles: anti-theft devices
  • Stands for two-wheel vehicles

Agricultural and forestry tractors

  • Agricultural or forestry tractors: EC type-approval procedure
  • Parts and characteristics of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
  • Lighting and light-signalling on agricultural and forestry tractors and machines
  • Driver-perceived noise level of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
  • Roll-over protection structures of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
  • The coupling device and the reverse of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
  • Tractors and agricultural or forestry machinery: braking
  • Tractors and agricultural or forestry machinery: driver’s seat
  • Tractors and agricultural or forestry machinery: passenger seats
  • Tractors and agricultural or forestry machinery: front-mounted protection structures
  • Tractors and agricultural or forestry machinery: rear-mounted protective devices
  • Pollutant gases of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors

Hydrogen-powered motor vehicles

  • Approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles

ICT standardisation: modernisation and the way forward

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ICT standardisation: modernisation and the way forward

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about ICT standardisation: modernisation and the way forward

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Information society > Internet Online activities and ICT standards

ICT standardisation: modernisation and the way forward

Document or Iniciative

Commission White Paper of 3 July 2009 – Modernising ICT Standardisation in the EU: the Way Forward [COM(2009) 324 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

This White Paper presents various proposals aimed at modernising European Information and Communication Technology (ICT) standardisation policy. This modernisation should allow the needs of industry and society to be met more appropriately.

Why modernise ICT standardisation policy?

In order to ensure that quality ICT standards are developed, it is important that these standards and standardisation procedures meet certain requirements. The European Commission proposes to use the criteria established by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in order to define a list of attributes that ICT standards should fulfil. In particular this list should include openness and transparency, as well as standards covering neutrality, maintenance and intellectual property rights.

The use of ICT standards in public procurement

Public procurement is regulated by Directive 2004/18/EC which allows technical standards to be used in public procurement. Decision 87/95, which lays down EU standardisation policy in the field of ICT, provides guidance for public procurement of ICT systems. This Decision is now considered to be outdated insofar as it only takes into consideration products and not the services and ICT applications that are used today.

The Commission therefore proposes to amend Decision 87/95 and adapt it, as regards public procurement in the field of ICT, to the current needs of the ICT sector.

Fostering synergy between research, innovation and standardisation

Establishing standards in the field of ICT should facilitate the translation of research results into practical applications. In order to do this, the issue of standardisation should be taken into account at an early stage in the research cycle.

The Commission would like to see closer collaboration between European Technology Platforms and standard setting organisations.

Intellectual property rights

ICT interoperability is one of the features of the current technological environment. In this context, taking into account the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) when establishing ICT standards is essential. Establishing standards should not however hinder free competition.

The Commission proposes that standard setting organisations in the field of ICT should implement clear and non-discriminatory policies with respect to IPR which guarantee competition. The Commission also suggests that standard setting organisations consider a declaration of the most restrictive licensing terms, in particular stating maximum royalty rates prior to a standard being adopted.

Integration of fora and consortia

Current European standardisation policy only takes into account standards established by European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs). Increasingly however, ICT standards are established by fora and consortia (e.g. standards relating to Internet protocols established by IETF or web accessibility guidelines produced by W3C). The Commission now wishes to see better cooperation between these ICT fora and consortia and the ESOs.

The Commission also considers it necessary to authorise the use of standards established by fora and consortia in order to fill specific standardisation gaps.

Enhancing dialogue and partnership with stakeholders

Decision 87/95 establishes a Committee: the Senior Officials group on standardisation in the field of Information Technology (SOGITS). This group is responsible for assisting the Commission in implementing the Decision and may extend invitations to experts. However, until now its success has been relatively limited.

The Commission wishes to replace the SOGITS Group by a platform bringing together all stakeholders concerned by ICT standardisation policy. This organisation would be based on the model of the ICT Standard Board (ICTSB) whose function and current composition the Commission wishes to review.

Context

ICT represents a key industrial sector in the 21st century. In 2007, the European ICT industry had a turnover of EUR 670 billion and accounted for over 5 % of employment. European ICT nevertheless requires a clear standardisation framework which will foster competitiveness and innovation.

This summary is for information only. It is not designed to interpret or replace the reference document, which remains the only binding legal text.

The mutual recognition principle in the single market

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The mutual recognition principle in the single market

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about The mutual recognition principle in the single market

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Internal market > Internal market: general framework

The mutual recognition principle in the single market

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission “Mutual recognition in the context of the follow-up of the action plan for the single market” [COM(1999) 299 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

At the invitation of the Internal Market Council of March 1998, the Commission has undertaken an analysis of the difficulties encountered in the application of mutual recognition.

IMPORTANCE OF MUTUAL RECOGNITION FOR THE SINGLE MARKET

The mutual recognition principle guarantees free movement of goods and services without the need to harmonise Member States’ national legislation. Goods which are lawfully produced in one Member State cannot be banned from sale on the territory of another Member State, even if they are produced to technical or quality specifications different from those applied to its own products. The only exception allowed – overriding general interest such as health, consumer or environment protection – is subject to strict conditions. The same principle applies to services.

In general, the rules of the Member State of origin prevail. This guarantees compliance with the principle of subsidiarity by avoiding the creation of detailed rules at EU level and by ensuring greater observance of local, regional and national traditions and makes it possible to maintain the diversity of products and services. It is thus a pragmatic and powerful tool for economic integration.

PROBLEMS WITH APPLICATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSES

Available information. One of the problems concerns availability of reliable information necessary for evaluation. Available figures do not allow a precise estimation of the economic impact of mutual recognition, but it is clear that the principle is a very important mechanism for a large number of industry and services sectors. The only figures available concern the number of complaints lodged with the Commission. The number of cases where producers have complied with countries’ requirements or withdrawn their products is unknown.

Obstacles. According to the results of surveys conducted in industry, there are still some obstacles at the level of technical standards and regulations. The service sector estimates that in general the obstacles to free movement of goods remained practically the same between 1996 and 1998. Other problematic issues have been identified:

  • on consumer protection grounds, controls that are not always necessary are imposed in the countries of destination;
  • in the internal administrative organisation, better management is hampered by administrative delays, costs of procedures and inability to deal with complex issues (for example innovative products and services);
  • a lack of mutual confidence in the acts of other Member States continues.

These problems have prompted some operators to adapt their products to local requirements or even, in extreme cases, to forgo marketing their products or services in another Member State.

Products. Most problems relate to guaranteed protection, since the country of destination is often convinced that its safety arrangements are the only good ones. The fields most affected are food, electrical engineering, vehicles, precious metals, construction and chemicals.

Services. The service sectors about which the Commission receives most complaints are as follows: business communications, construction, patent agents and security services. Available figures do not give an accurate picture of the situation because of the small number of complaints lodged with the Commission. In the regulated professions, difficulties in the implementation of the mutual recognition principle continue to affect individuals. In the field of financial services, the Commission finds evidence of inappropriate use of the notion of “general interest” and of consumer protection designed to inhibit the marketing of financial products. In the field of business communications, national differences, in particular in advertising, frustrate the creation of a genuine single market. Finally, as regards electronic commerce, legal barriers still restrict the opportunities in the single market.

PROPOSALS

Ensure credible monitoring. In order to assess progress, the Commission will prepare, every two years, evaluation reports, whose conclusions will be included in the single market scoreboard in order to make Member States more aware of the existing problems and to find solutions. The Commission undertakes to give greater attention to the compliance with obligations by the Member States, including the opening of infringement proceedings. Moreover, the possibilities offered by the notification procedure should be fully used to promote mutual recognition and prevent the emergence of new obstacles.

Actions targeted at citizens and economic operators. The Commission proposes two action plans, one for the Commission itself, the other for the Member States.

Action by the Commission. The Commission undertakes to facilitate dialogue between the citizens and companies. To improve information and economic analysis, the Commission proposes:

  • producing a Guide on application of the mutual recognition principle in the field of industrial products and a brochure explaining the implementation of Decision 3052/95 concerning the measures derogating from the principle of free movement of goods;
  • an economic analysis of the application of mutual recognition in various different sectors in order to obtain a better evaluation (economic benefits and costs of non-implementation);
  • an analysis of the national consumer protection rules for financial products.

The Commission proposes the following training measures:

  • organise sectoral roundtables of representatives of Member States’ competent authorities and professional organisations;
  • draw up specific projects at national level in order to disseminate information about the mutual recognition principle to the target public.

In order to make mechanisms for dealing with problems more effective, it is planned to:

  • use biennial reports to assess more accurately whether or not new harmonisation initiatives are needed;
  • draw up a model application form to be used between bodies responsible for application of mutual recognition and the European and national federations;
  • make it possible for economic operators to ask for reasons why an application has been rejected and improve the handling of complaints by the Commission, in particular in problem sectors;
  • extend the “package meetings” on goods between the Commission and Member States to the services sector and follow more systematically solutions proposed by Member States;
  • develop a Community network for handling complaints in the field of financial services;
  • take specific sectorial initiatives for better application of the principle in services, in particular in the sectors of air transport and telecommunications.

In order to take into account the international dimension of mutual recognition and to reduce, or even eliminate, barriers to trade, the Commission intends to conclude mutual recognition agreements under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and in the area of trade in goods under the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Action by Member States. As Member States are the main actors in the implementation of the mutual recognition principle, the Commission proposes that they give the following undertakings:

  • to apply the judgments of the Court of Justice on including mutual recognition clauses in national legislation;
  • to reply within a reasonable time to requests for the application of mutual recognition, except in particularly sensitive cases;
  • to strengthen cooperation between the national administrations of Member States with the new telematics contact network, meetings of heads of coordination centres, and more systematic use of contact points as well as greater involvement of national coordinators (particularly in the area of regulated professions);
  • to prepare regular reports on problems with application and potential solutions.

Background

In 1997, the Commission adopted the Single Market Action Plan, which set out in detail the priority measures to be taken to improve the functioning of the single market by 1 January 1999. These included the application of the principle of mutual recognition.
Two years later in 1999, the Commission published this Communication, which serves as a basis for the Council Resolution on mutual recognition (see “Related Acts”).

Related Acts

Council Resolution of 28 October 1999 on mutual recognition [Official Journal C 141 of 19.5.2000].
The Council stresses the importance of mutual recognition for the proper functioning of the single market. This requires a coherent combination of harmonised legislation, standardisation, instruments for conformity assessment and mutual recognition. The Council considers further efforts necessary in the area of products (in particular food, electrical engineering, construction and motor vehicles), services (in particular financial services) and professional qualifications (recognition of diplomas). It criticises unduly burdensome and complicated administrative procedures and the lack of information in the administrations of several Member States about legislation and verification procedures in other Member States.

The Council urges Member States to:

  • review and simplify relevant national legislation and application procedures, step up the effectiveness and speed of these procedures, and strengthen administrative cooperation;
  • make economic operators and the general public aware of their rights;
  • keep the Commission informed about the problems with application and ensure that obligations relating to exchange of information are honoured.

The Council calls on the Commission to:

  • gather all information about successes and shortcomings and their economic impacts and publish this in the single market scoreboard;
  • make the general public and economic operators aware of their rights via general information campaigns;
  • ensure that the policies in that domain are coordinated with other Community policies.

Economic operators and citizens are encouraged to inform the Member States and the Commission about all problems they have encountered.

Commission interpretative communication on facilitating the access of products to the markets of other Member States: the practical application of mutual recognition [C/2003/3944 – Official Journal C 265 of 4.11.2003].
This communication aims to clarify the “mutual recognition” principle and thus help businesses and national administrations make it work better. It is a practical guide which describes how this principle should work in practice and summarises the rights it gives to economic operators. The communication forms part of the internal market strategy 2003-06. It will be followed by wide consultation with Member States, industry and consumer organisations. Depending on the results of this consultation, the Commission could submit a proposal for legislation to reinforce the way mutual recognition is implemented.

EXTERNAL ASPECTS – AGREEMENTS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES

Council Resolution of 24 June 1999 on the management of agreements on mutual recognition [Official Journal C 190 of 7.7.1999].
The Council welcomes the conclusion of mutual recognition agreements between the European Community (EC) and Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America. These agreements aim to ensure effective market access across the whole territory of the parties to all products covered by the agreements. The Council calls on the Commission to:

  • prepare a proposal for guiding principles for the management of agreements on mutual recognition with third countries and draft a model agreement for future negotiations;
  • prepare a vade mecum explaining the agreements on mutual recognition and their application;
  • prepare regular reports on the application of existing agreements.

 

Interactions between the automobile industry and specific policies

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Interactions between the automobile industry and specific policies

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Interactions between the automobile industry and specific policies

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Internal market > Motor vehicles > Interactions between the automobile industry and specific policies

Interactions between the automobile industry and specific policies

A number of policy fields are closely linked to the car industry and affect activity within the sector. The aim of the European car industry to build safer and more environmentally-friendly vehicles clearly ties in with transport and environmental policy, and also actively stimulates research and development.

INTERACTION WITH TRANSPORT POLICY

  • Road transport operators: conditions for the pursuit of the occupation
  • Responding to the crisis in the European automotive industry
  • Road safety: Road Safety Action Programme (2003-2010)
  • Road safety: cross-border application of the legislation
  • Motor vehicles and trailers: vehicle registration documents
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: distinguishing sign of the Member State of registration
  • Motor vehicles and their trailers: roadworthiness testing of heavy goods vehicles
  • Road safety: Driving licences
  • Motor vehicles with trailers: roadworthiness test
  • Drinking and driving: Maximum authorised level of alcohol in the blood

INTERACTION WITH ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

End-of-life vehicles

  • End-of-life vehicles
  • The reusing, recycling and recovering of motor vehicles

Fuels

  • EU strategy for biofuels
  • Quality of petrol and diesel fuels: sulphur and lead

Polluting emissions

  • Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from light commercial vehicles
  • Reduction in CO? emissions of new passenger cars
  • Emissions from heavy duty vehicles (Euro VI): certification rules
  • “Green” vehicles: a European strategy
  • Clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles
  • Reduction of pollutant emissions from light vehicles
  • Emissions from diesel and gas engines (up until 2013)
  • Pollutant gases of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
  • Emissions from air conditioning systems in motor vehicles
  • Non-road mobile machinery: gaseous pollutants
  • Information on the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of new cars

Noise pollution

  • Motor vehicles with trailers: permissible sound level

INTERACTION WITH COMPETITION POLICY

  • Motor vehicle distribution and after-sales service

INTERACTION WITH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION POLICY

  • Satellite navigation: Galileo

INTERACTION WITH THE RULES OF THE INTERNAL MARKET

Free movement of goods

  • Procedures for the registration of motor vehicles originating in another Member State

Car insurance

  • Civil liability insurance for motor vehicles
  • Motor vehicle liability insurance: freedom to provide services

Intellectual property

  • Harmonisation of Member States’ legislation on designs

INTERACTION WITH TAXATION POLICY

  • Passenger car related taxes
  • Tax-free allowances: permanent or temporary importation of private motor vehicles
  • Taxation of heavy goods vehicles: Eurovignette Directive
  • Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity
  • Fiscal marking of gas oils and kerosene

INTERACTION WITH THE AREA OF JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND SECURITY

  • Combating cross-border vehicle crime

Integration of environmental aspects into European standardisation

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Integration of environmental aspects into European standardisation

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Integration of environmental aspects into European standardisation

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Environment > General provisions

Integration of environmental aspects into European standardisation

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee of 25 February 2004 – Integration of Environmental Aspects into European Standardisation [COM(2004) 130 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

European standardisation makes it possible to apply harmonised technical standards among the Member States of the European Union (EU). It thus facilitates trade in the single market.

Standardisation plays a part in the formulation of Community policies and the dissemination of technical knowledge. By integrating environmental aspects, standards can thus contribute to sustainable development and the associated Community policies.

Developments in European standardisation

European standards are voluntary documents compiled by the European or international standards organisations. This work is based on a proactive process and on a consensus among all stakeholders.

The process of compiling standards is conducted under the new approach to technical harmonisation and standardisation.

Standardisation covers an increasing number of sectors. It is now considered to be a useful tool for environmental protection, in that it:

  • has an influence on the way products and services impact on the environment, particularly in the context of the Integrated Product Policy;
  • implements standardised test methods and methods of measurement in order to facilitate the enforcement of Community environmental legislation. This is the case with horizontal standards used to simplify the measurement of levels of pollutants in sludge, as well as in soil or biowaste;
  • promotes the use of environmental technologies and supports initiatives which have environmental benefits. Standardisation can, for example, help in the marketing of technologies such as micro-cogeneration which makes it possible to simultaneously develop heat and electricity in a building;
  • draws up environmental management standards which aim to improve the environmental performance of businesses, such as the ISO 14000 series of international standards.

Europe’s ability to create environmental standards can lead to the development of international standards.

Environmental standards

The environmental quality of the standards produced in the EU can be improved. Particular attention is also focused on the quality of the standards drawn up in the acceding countries. The main aim is to:

  • improve the environmental training of the experts who compile or revise European standards and allow all stakeholders access to environmental information. The dissemination of technical know-how should be encouraged at European and national level;
  • set priorities regarding the topics to be dealt with, taking into account issues of public interest related to EU environmental policy. The Commission can use the European standardisation mandate to flag these priorities;
  • promote the active participation of all parties concerned by standardisation. The European standardisation bodies such as CEN EHD and CENELEC work on the basis of national delegations. The Member States should thus support participation by civil society and the scientific community in the process of drawing up standards. The Commission is pursuing the same objective by linking up with the ECOS consortium of environmental organisations;
  • make systematic use of tools which help integrate environmental aspects into standardisation. Regular meetings will be held to exchange experience and assess the progress made.

Incentives

The Commission wishes to encourage systematic use of the most effective integration tools. The European standardisation bodies have developed specific tools such as:

  • working groups dedicated to the environment;
  • technical advisory boards;
  • environmental databases;
  • sectoral guides and checklists written by experts for experts.

Stakeholders in the standardisation process become involved voluntarily. In order to ensure the proliferation of environmental standards, it is also necessary to enhance their market relevance.

Background

When the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme was adopted in 2002, the Commission proposed that environmental protection be taken into consideration in standardisation activities.

This communication was drawn up following an Internet consultation. Representatives from business and industry, NGOs, public authorities and standardisation organisations had the opportunity to voice their opinions on the best way of taking action for the environment.

Related Acts

Council conclusions of 1 March 2002 on standardisation [Official Journal C 66 of 15.03.2002].

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on actions taken following the resolutions on European standardisation adopted by the Council and the European Parliament in 1999 [COM(2001) 527 final – Not published in the Official Journal].