91998E1362

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1362/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Subject: Trading standards

Does the Commission organize regular meetings or seminars between trading standards officers from different Member States?

Does the Commission recognize that such meetings can be very useful in facilitating the exchange of important information among practitioners?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 1998)

Efficient market surveillance is essential for ensuring that only products in compliance with Community legislation are placed on the market. The Commission welcomes the Honourable Member's interest, and agrees on the importance of information exchange between trading standards officers (market surveillance authorities) from different Member States.

Numerous actions have been taken to improve administrative cooperation between national surveillance authorities in sectors that are important for the safety of European citizens.

Administrative cooperation between national surveillance authorities takes place under the "new approach" directives which lay down the necessary requirements to protect the interests of citizens and society concerning low voltage equipment(1), toys(2), electromagnetic compatibility(3), medical devices(4) and recreational craft(5).

Exchange of information also takes place in the committee set up under Council Directive 92/59/EEC of 29 June 1992 on general product safety(6) which ensures that consumer products placed on the market are safe. Furthermore, the Commission distributes information on dangerous products to the Member States through the rapid exchange of information system. The Commission also supports informal co-operation between enforcement officers. The Commission working document on enforcement of European consumer legislation(7) contains several suggestions aiming to improve the enforcement of European consumer law, e.g. exchange of best practices and high level meetings.

The Commission organises regular meetings of the national food control authorities which allow a thorough exchange of information on food control, including the preparation of the yearly co-ordinated control programme for foodstuffs and on the rapid alert system for food. Moreover, administrative assistance, through a single liaison body designated in each Member State, reinforces the exchange of information between Member States.

The Commission and the European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products in London organize regular meetings with representatives from the Member States' authorities for inspection and control of medicinal products.

In addition to the sectoral initiatives outlined above, the Commission would draw attention to the possibilities offered by the Karolus exchange programme, which enables market surveillance officials and others involved in the enforcement of single market rules to spend a period working with their counterparts in another Member State.

(1) OJ L 77, 26.3.1973.

(2) OJ L 187, 16.7.1988.

(3) OJ L 139, 23.5.1989.

(4) OJ L 189, 20.7.1990, OJ L 169, 12.7.1993.

(5) OJ L 164, 30.6.1994.

(6) OJ L 228, 11.8.1992.

(7) SEC(98) 527 final.