Goods package

Key points

The EESC:

• welcomes the complex work that the Commission has put into producing this package, but considers that the present proposal should include a rule tightening up on the market surveillance obligation on the part of Member States, including the obligation to report to the Commission (on a quarterly basis) on their activities and controls;
• would again insist that the general principles governing market surveillance should include the precautionary principle as a key element of decisions in all cases;
• considers it a matter of priority not only for the European Commission to be required to present regular reports on RAPEX, but for consumers and businesses, as well as the organisations representing them, to have access to additional information to that which is made publicly available;
• highlights the need to reinforce the common European customs strategy to ensure the optimum use of physical and human resources in developing the measures set out in the present proposal and, to this end, recommends stepping up mutual assistance agreements with all trade partners;
• believes that the issue of market surveillance of sales via online platforms, as well as the assessment of new risks for consumers using devices connected to the internet ("Internet-connected devices") should be included in this proposal.

Practical information

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat.