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The New Legislative Framework. Rita L’Abbate Unit C1: Regulatory approach for the free movement of goods. Overview. The New Legislative Framework (NLF) The Regulation The Decision Implementation phase…. New Legislative Framework - Texts. OJ L218 - 13.08.08 :
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The New Legislative Framework Rita L’Abbate Unit C1: Regulatory approach for the free movement of goods
Overview • The New Legislative Framework (NLF) • The Regulation • The Decision • Implementation phase…
New Legislative Framework - Texts OJ L218 - 13.08.08 : • Regulation 765/2008/EC - requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products • Decision 768/2008/EC - a common framework for the marketing of products
Timeframe/Process • Adoption : 9 July 2008 • Publication in OJEU – 13 August 2008 • Entry into force 20 days after publication • Date of application of Regulation 765/2008 is 1 Jan 2010 • Decision ‘sui generis’ = by issue/by sector
Why did we propose the review? Experience shows Directives do not function in the same way in all Member States …. • Different levels of controls in Member States • Unequal treatment, distortion of competition • Many non conforming products bearing CE marking Lack of trust in marking • Different ways of controlling notified bodies - no transparency • Differing definitions, unclear obligations for importers distributors…
Main elements covered by the Review • Market surveillance • Accreditation - Notified Bodies • Role and significance of CE marking • Common definitions & obligations • Safeguard clause
NLF- 2 Complementary legislative tools DECISION • Definitions • Obligations for economic operators • Conformity Assessment Procedures • marking • Notified bodies • Safeguard mechanisms Basis for future legislation REGULATION • Accreditation • Market Surveillance • Internal • Imported products • General principles • Financing elements Applicable 1 Jan 2010
The Regulation & the Decision DECISION • Covers elements already included in legislation • Sui Generis Decision -applies to EU legislator, Commitment • No immediate effects for Member States or individuals • Better Regulation tool: model Articles - “toolbox” • Applies to new legislation or revisions of legislation REGULATION • Covers elements not already included in sectoral legislation • Creates direct rights and obligations for Member States and individuals • Becomes law in all Member States on 1 January 2010 • Member States need to be ready to apply
Regulation –main objectives • Accreditation • Enhance mutual confidence in certificates and quality of conformity assessment bodies • Common transparent rules for assessing the competence of conformity assessment bodies • Market surveillance • Make our internal market legislation more effective by ensuring better control of this legislation • Ensure equal conditions for economic operators • Common minimum requirements • Enhanced cooperation and information exchange amongst market surveillance authorities of MS
Regulation – Accreditation (1) Objectives are • to create confidence in accredited certificates thus establishing trust in the market place • to ensure ONE accreditation certificate for whole territory of EU • to introduce a horizontal framework for accreditation and to lay down principles for its operation and organisation at Community level to ensure uniform application
Regulation – Accreditation (2) • Accreditation = Assessment of competence of conformity assessment bodies (laboratories, testing and inspection bodies..) • Scope: no exemptions – accreditation of all conformity assessment bodies • Organisational framework: no general obligation to be accredited • Single accreditation body per Member State
Regulation – Accreditation (3) • Accreditation - a public authority activity • No competition • Accreditation in the Member State of establishment • Requirements for accreditation bodies • Peer evaluation • EA (European co-operation for accreditation)
Regulation – market surveillance (1) • Scope • “harmonised products” • exceptions: food, feed, human blood, cells, tissues and agricultural products • lex specialis
Regulation – market surveillance (2) • Organisational requirements • Infrastructures, resources, powers • complaint procedures, monitoring of accidents • Market surveillance programmes
Regulation – market surveillance (3) • Surveillance measures • appropriate product checks on “adequate scale” • Right to enter premises, ask for documentation • Warning of users
Regulation – market surveillance (4) • Restrictive measures • Withdrawal/recall products posing a “serious risk” • Rapid information of all Member States • Hear economic operator • Possibility to destroy products • Penalties
Regulation – market surveillance (5) • Communication and co-ordination • Exchange of information • Rapid information on dangerous products • Comprehensive database • Cooperation • Obligation to cooperate with other MS • Mutual assistance • Joint initiatives, training programmes, sharing of resources
Regulation – market surveillance (6) Control of products entering the Community • Customs must carry out checks at external borders on an adequate scale • Suspension of release for free circulation if product • is not properly marked • presents a serious risk • Information of market surveillance authorities • Possibility of destruction
Regulation – CE marking • marking – General principles • Complementary to rules in legislation • Only on products for which affixing is foreseen in legislation • Affixing = responsibility for conformity • Relationship to other marks • Obligation for MS to protect marking
Decision – toolbox for future legislation • General principles and reference provisions for the drawing up of Community harmonisation • General guidelines for legislator • Essential requirements instead of technical details • Choice of conformity assessment procedures • Model provisions
Decision – model articles (1) • Definitions • placing on the market, manufacturer, importer, etc • Obligations of economic operators • Differentiation according to role • Manufacturer, Authorised representative • Importers and distributors NEW! • Traceability provisions
Decision – model articles (2) • Conformity assessment • Marking • Rules and conditions for affixing – form of the marking
Decision – model articles (3) • Notified Bodies • Requirements for notifying authorities • Notification criteria/ role of accreditation • Notification process – electronic notification • Obligation of notified bodies • Subsidiaries and sub-contracting • Control requirements COMM/MS de-notification • Co-ordination GNBs
Decision – model articles (4) • Safeguard clause procedure • Notification of measure – time for objections • No objections – all MS must take relevant action • Objection: Matter decided at EU level – Commission decision
Implementation phase- priorities • Regulation – 1 January 2010 • Accreditation – relationship with EA • Market surveillance • Information exchange systems (RAPEX and database) • Lex specialis – how does it work? • Guidelines: e.g. market surveillance programmes • Decision • “automatic” alignment of legislation under review (e.g. toys safety) • Alignment of legislation not up for review?
Web site addresses • New Legal Framework: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/ review_en.htm • New internal market package: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/regulation/internal_market_package/index_en.htm • Questions: Entr-reg-approach-for-free-circ@ec.europa.eu
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