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Learn about the Community Market Surveillance Framework, essential requirements, and recommendations for efficient monitoring and enforcement in the EU internal market. Understand the key legal aspects and rationale.
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European Commission MARKET SURVEILLANCE COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK UNECE “MARS” Group meeting Bratislava, 25 September 2006 Rita L’ABBATE Legal aspects linked to internal market DG Enterprise and Industry
Content of the presentation • BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE OF THE NEW APPROACH REVISION • COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK FOR MARKET SURVEILLANCE
The New Approach …(1) A concept to facilitate free movement of goods in the Internal Market whilst ensuring a high level of protection
The New Approach… (2) 1/Creation of the Internal Market • Effective elimination of technical barriers to trade which may result from diverging national technical standards and regulations. • Large sectors have been harmonised by one single Community measure. • Stability of the regulatory environment due to the definition of technology-independent essential requirements.
The New Approach…(3) 2/Enhancing competitiveness of European industry • No mandatory application of standards; flexibility for manufacturers to use different technical solutions, thus fostering innovation. • Faster and more efficient market access. • Use of European standards, often based upon international standards, has helped increase the presence of European industry in global markets.
The New Approach Revision (1) • Better Regulation process:- industry needs a simple and transparent legal framework;- EU must ensure coherent & consistent implementation and application of existing internal market instruments. • A more consistent implementation of the New Approach will support our efforts to encourage international alignment with the EU regulatory framework.
The New Approach revision… (2) The revision will focus on : • Consistency of concepts and definitions • Ensuring traceability • Accreditation - Notified Bodies • Clear meaning of marking • Market surveillance/enforcement Exercise in strengthening system – NOT changing system
WHY a Community market surveillance framework (1) • CHANGE OF MIND SET ON MARKET SURVEILLANCE • BEFORE: EXCEPTION TO FREE CIRCULATION • NOW: DUTY TO ENFORCE EU LEGISLATION EFFECTIVELY
WHY a Community market surveillance framework (2) Market surveillance should ensure: • Equally high level of protection of citizens - the counterbalance of controls carried out prior to placing on the market • that unfair competition to stakeholders both inside and outside the EU is avoided - trust and transparency between Member States
MARKET SURVEILLANCE DEFINITION : could mean all the measures, procedures and activities carried out to ensure that products made available on the EU market: • comply with the applicable essential requirements, • bear the required conformity markings, • have been submitted to the required conformity assessment procedure(s) • are accompanied by the necessary technical documentation • are submitted, where appropriate, to the Community control procedure for bringing them in line with the essential regulatory requirements
market surveillance (envisaged Community framework) (1) Recommendations for Market Surveillance: • Create a common level throughout the Union • Reinforce administrative co-operation • Render more efficient the application of the safeguard clause • Enhance the relationship with the Directive on General Product Safety (2001/95/EC)
market surveillance (envisaged Community framework) (2) Market surveillance could be organised at three levels : • definition of the essential requirements to be met by national market surveillance systems • co-operation between Member States and the Commission • establishment of a Community control
market surveillance (envisaged Community framework) (3) Essential Requirements (1): • setting up an effective market survillance system • appointment of national authorities competent for monitoring conformity of the relevant product and definition of their tasks • delegate the necessary powers and resources • cover the full range of products subject to a Directive
market surveillance (envisaged Community framework) (4) Essential Requirements (2): - determine the necessary procedures (e.g. monitor accidents, register and follow-up compliants, etc.) • define the necessary measures (e.g.carry out cheks, take samples for inspections and tests, etc.) • ensuring independence, confidentiality and professional secrecy • ensure cooperation with the releted economic operators - etc…
Market surveillance (envisaged Community framework) (5) TO REINFORCE CO-OPERATION develop a consistent administrative cooperation: - general activities - exchange of information - sharing of resources develop more efficient external border controls
Market surveillance - (envisaged Community framework) (6) Developmentof more effective and efficient cross-border co-operation this could imply : - exchange of information on (potentially) non- compliant products - enforcement actions to betaken - controls at national level and across national boundaries - creation of Networks - e-facilities….
Market surveillance - (envisaged Community framework) (7) Reinforce and precise co-operation between customs officers and market surveillance authorities • Take part in cooperation and ensure minimum checks • Regulation 339/93 on checks for conformity – products imported from third countries • Commission Decision 93/583 – list of products
Market surveillance - (envisaged Community framework) (8) • SAFEGUARD MECANISM • render more efficient the application of safeguard clause • Ensure appropriate action at national/local level • Increase involvement of the manufacturer and harness expertise available in MS • Simplify and shorten the procedure • Create a uniform safeguard mechanism applying to all Community Directives
Market surveillance - (envisaged Community framework) (9) Last but not least ROLE OF THE ECONOMIC OPERATORS ● addressing all operators in the supply and distribution chain ● clear statement of their obligations
Market surveillance - (envisaged Community framework) (10) Community control : • inform the Commission of the national market surveillance arrangements • introduce appropriate information system between national authorities and the Commission • verification by the Commission and MS whether national systems meet the requirements of the Community framework
CONCLUSIONS • Market surveillance is an important policy tool to ensure • no negative side effects on citizens • a level playing field for manufacturers • Therefore, the future proposal will : • Ensure homogeneity and coherence between common provisions for market surveillance for consumer safety, product safety and safety at place of work, for ALL harmonisation directives • Support and reinforce any measure and practical action likely to implement an efficient market surveillance system
TIMETABLE Revision of the New Approach • Working documents since 2004 • Public consultation - July 2006 • Specific questionnaires – 15 September 2006 • Adoption of the proposal by the Commission end 2006
Market surveillance THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION FURTHER INFORMATION AT http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/newapproach/market_surveillance.htm