Single market transparency directive
SUMMARY OF:
Directive (EU) 2015/1535 — procedure to share information about technical regulations and rules on information society services
SUMMARY
WHAT DOES THIS DIRECTIVE DO?
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It requires national authorities to inform the European Commission of any draft technical regulations on products and information society services before they are adopted in national law. It allows for some exceptions.
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It aims to prevent the creation of new trade barriers.
KEY POINTS
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EU countries must inform the Commission of any draft technical regulation they plan to introduce.
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The Commission immediately informs other EU countries through the technical regulations information system (TRIS).
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A standstill period of 3 months begins during which time the EU country must not adopt its proposed draft technical regulation. This may be extended to 4, 6, 12 or even 18 months, depending on the circumstances of the case.
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During this time the Commission and other EU countries examine the proposed draft regulation and can react appropriately.
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In urgent situations, due to serious and unforeseeable circumstances, an EU country may adopt a technical regulation without respecting the standstill period (‘urgency procedure’).
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The Commission reports every 2 years to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee on the directive’s implementation.
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The legislation creates a standing committee of national officials under the chairmanship of the Commission.
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The committee meets at least twice a year. It advises the Commission on how to avoid trade barriers and considers issues arising from the directive’s implementation.
FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?
Directive (EU) 2015/1535 repealed and replaced Directive 98/34/EC from 7 October 2015.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the 2015/1535 procedure
ACT
Directive (EU) 2015/1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on Information Society services (OJ L 241, 17.9.2015, pp. 1-15)
last update 27.01.2016