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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
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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 is inviting comments on a working document entitled
"The Role of European Standardisation in the framework of European
legislation and policies". See our web page eccons0104.html
for more details. The deadline for comments is 30 January 2004.
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| Contacts |
David Willmets/Ajay Gohil, STRD2, Department of Trade and Industry, Bay 335,
151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS
Tel: 020 7215 1571/1564; fax: 020 7215 1529
E-mail: STRD2@dti.gsi.gov.uk
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