Following complaints, the European Commission has decided to pursue infringement proceedings against eight Member States for impeding the free movement of goods in contravention of the Treaty (Article 30). In the case of Belgium, the Commission has decided to send an additional reasoned opinion under Article 171 of the Treaty for failure to respect a ruling from the Court of Justice concerning restrictions on imports of certain telecommunications receivers. The Commission has also decided to refer the Netherlands (two cases), France, Ireland and Greece to the Court of Justice and to send reasoned opinions (second stage of the infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the Treaty) to the Netherlands (two cases), Italy (two cases), Greece, France (three cases), Sweden and Austria. These trade barriers concern chocolate (Italy), foodstuffs with (or without) added vitamins (the Netherlands), alcoholic drinks (France), articles made of precious metals (Ireland), pharmaceutical products (Greece and Italy), dietary supplements (Greece), car spare parts (France), pasta (France), 'in vitro' diagnostic medical devices (France), helicopters (France), road tankers for transporting oil and petrol (Sweden) and salami (Austria). In the case of the reasoned opinions, Member States are required to give a satisfactory response within two months of receipt or they may face action before the Court.

Source:
MIDDAY EXPRESS
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Parole
03 / 07 / 98