Brussels, 07/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The EU "notification" system enabling Member States and the Commission to check that draft national technical regulations on products (and rules on information society services) will not create barriers to trade is being extended to eight accession countries before they formally join the EU. The Council has just approved the necessary bilateral agreements with the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. Another Decision, allowing two further bilateral agreements to be concluded with Cyprus and Hungary, is soon to be approved by the Council.
The notification system requires EU Member States to notify each other and the Commission of any draft regulation that does not form part of the existing acquis communtaire of EU law. Following notification, a standstill period of 3 months applies during which the Member State must not enact the draft national regulation. The other Member States and the Commission may table either comments (which does not extend the standstill period), or detailed opinions (which does extend it for one month, for information society services, or three months, for goods). A dialogue is thus established, with a view to finding a solution in line with single market rules.
On Vice President, Roy Perry's (Conservative, UK) proposal, most MEPs thought that after the debate the draft directive as amended by MEPs at the last plenary (see EUROPE 25 September p 11) met petitioners' expectations. The legal committee has, however, is being sought for is opinion on the need to close proceedings.