Brussels, 15/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - The implementation of the European directive on general product safety is bearing fruit but could still be improved, states a Commission communication which draws up a preliminary implementation record of the legislation between 2004 and 2008. Commenting on the main data in the report, published on 14 January, Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumer Protection, welcomed the fact that the directive, with its early warning system RAPEX, has “proven to be a powerful tool for ensuring a high level of consumer protection”. However, she added: “We will not rest on our laurels. There are also recommendations on how the effectiveness of the framework and its implementation can be further improved, and we will be following up on these”.
The report above all suggests that coordination be increased between member states with regard to market surveillance, that the European Commission be given the means to intervene more rapidly in order to create “state of the art standards” for a number of potentially dangerous products, and that the possibility of imposing a permanent ban on certain products be envisaged under this directive.
The Commission's communication will be forwarded to the Parliament and to the Council. (A.N./transl.jl)