Stubb: More free and undistorted competition

Published 27.11.2007

EPP-ED Press release

The European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted today the so-called Goods Package which contains two Regulations and one Decision. Stubb, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Committee, was the Rapporteur for the Regulation on Mutual Recognition - a piece of legislation implementing for all products the classic Cassis de Dijon court case of 1979.

The aim of the mutual recognition is to improve the free movement of goods - that is if a good has been approved in one EU Member State, it should move freely, without barriers inside the EU. "The EU internal market should not be based only on harmonisation of legislation but also on trust between Member States that goods lawfully marketed elsewhere in the Union are safe", Stubb recalled.

"Some 75 percent (€1.6 trillion worth) of all goods in the EU have been harmonised. The remaining 25 percent (€0.5 trillion worth) should follow the principle of mutual recognition. The cost of non-application of mutual recognition is estimated at some €150 billion", said Stubb.

One of the main topics during the adoption process was the national safety markings. "Free movement of goods is a cornerstone of the internal market. In the long run, all national marks should be abolished. They are just a poor and expensive excuse for protectionist measures. This package improves market surveillance in the EU", he added.

"I am very happy with the outcome of the Committee vote: it will make the life of protectionists more difficult", stated Stubb.

For further information:
Alexander Stubb MEP, Tel:+32-2-2845264
Antti Timonen, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-474-851831

Notes for Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 278 Members from all 27 Member States.