In a major switch of emphasis the European Commission would shift the onus of proof onto regulators, who would have to justify why a product from another member state cannot be sold in their national markets.

Günter Verheugen, the commissioner responsible for enterprise and industry, said many companies are discouraged from venturing outside their domestic market because they have to prove that their products fulfil the requirements of technical rules in other member states.


"That's why I'm proposing to unburden industry by placing more responsibility on the authorities of member states and encouraging dialogue and cooperation," he said in announcing the proposals on 14 February.

Under current EU regulation regulators can only forbid the sale of products coming from other member states on the grounds of public safety, health concerns or environmental considerations.

But the reality is often different, the Commission notes.

Many companies still face technical barriers, because members can require goods to be adapted to their national technical rules on designation, form, size, weight, composition, presentation, labelling and packaging.

"This leads to substantial obstacles to the free movement of goods and necessitates extra administrative controls and tests," the Commission stated.

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Source: Foodproductiondaily.com