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New Approach
Directives and the free movement of goods in the European Community
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Introduction |
The free movement of goods lies at the heart of achieving an open market for
business in Europe. In May 1985, European Community Ministers agreed on a "New
Approach to Technical Harmonisation and Standards" to fulfil this objective.
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| "New Approach" Directives |
"New Approach" Directives
(that is Community Law) set out the essential requirements (on safety for
example), written in general terms which must be met before products may be sold
in the UK or anywhere else in the European Community. European harmonised
standards provide the detailed technical information enabling manufacturers to
meet the essential requirements. The directives also explain how manufacturers
are able to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements. Products
which meet the essential requirements are to display the
CE marking, as described in the particular directive, which means that the
products can be sold anywhere in the Community/EEA. A list of references to
harmonised standards in the context of the "New Approach" Directives can be
found from the European Commission at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/newapproach/
standardization/index.html
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Main Features of
the Legislation |
- Legislation is limited to goal-setting essential health and safety
requirements
- Standards bodies draw up the technical specifications - European Standards -
needed to ensure conformity with these requirements
- The standards are voluntary
- Products made to European Standards enjoy a presumption of conformity with
the essential requirements of the directive
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| New Approach Review |
Following a review of the New Approach, on 7 May
2003 the European Commission issued a Communication on Enhancing the
Implementation of the New Approach Directives. Click
here for more details.
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| Further information |
More information can be found on the New Approach
Directives and CE Marking on
www.newapproach.org; and also in the booklet Keeping your product on the
market. The EC Commission’s own Guide to the Implementation of Directives based
on the New Approach and Global Approach (the so-called ‘Vade Mecum’) can be
found on
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/newapproach/legislation.htm
A paper setting out the UK's policy on enforcement of regulations that
implement New Approach Directives and on market surveillance in the UK can be
found here  (105 kB)
The European Commission has issued a Communication on the "Role of European
Standardisation in the Framework of European Policies and Legislation" which
identifies the priorities for standardisation policy. It is supported by a staff
working paper dealing with the challenges for European standardisation :
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/standards_policy/role_of_standardisation/index.htm
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| Contacts |
Jeff Asser, STRD, Department of Trade and Industry,
Bay 280, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS Tel: 020 7215 1481; fax:
020 7215 1529
E-mail: Jeff.Asser@dti.gsi.gov.uk
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