(2004/C 78 E/0947)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4024/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 January 2004)

Subject:   Free-standing ovens

Further to the Commission's answer to Written Question E-3307/03 (1), will it state whether free-standing ovens with a shoulder height oven/grill compartment have been banned in the UK as result of Council Directive 73/23/EEC (2) (or any other EU legislation)?

Will the Commission provide a list of free-standing ovens (by make and model) that are prohibited from being placed on the market in the UK by Council Directive 73/23/EEC?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(12 February 2004)

Further to the Commission's response to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-3307/03 with respect to Directive 73/23/EEC (3), the Commission is not aware of measures taken in the United Kingdom to restrict the free movement or placing on the market of any free-standing oven with a shoulder height oven/grill compartment.

Market surveillance is the responsibility of the Member States and the Commission is not directly involved unless the Member State concerned notifies such a measure under the safeguard clause procedure as described at Article 9 of the above Directive. In this respect, no such notification has been received to-date.

(1)  OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004.

(2)  OJ L 77, 26.3.1973, p. 29.

(3)  Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limit, OJ L 77, 26.3.1973 amended by Council Directive 93/68/EEC of 22 July 1993, OJ L 220, 30.8.1993.