eurovoc_concepts:
after-sales service
approximation of laws
consumer goods
consumer protection
single market

formats: pdf print

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 31. 03. 1998 COM(1998) 217 final 96/0161 (COD) Amended proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DIRECTIVE on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC-Treaty) Explanatory memorandum I. OVERVIEW OF THE PROCEDURE On 18 June 1996 the Commission of the European Communities adopted the proposal for a Directive on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees, which was transmitted to the European Parliament and Council on 23 August 1996. It was presented to the Consumer Affairs Council of 25 November 1996. The Economic and Social Committee delivered its opinion at its 340th plenary session on 27 and 28 November 1996, acting on a proposal from its rapporteur MrEttl and co- rapporteur Mr Folias. The proposal for a Directive was discussed at the Consumer Affairs Council of 3 November 1997. On 10 March 1998 the European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion, acting on a proposal from its rapporteur, Mrs Kuhn. In this resolution the Parliament invited the Commission to modify its proposal on the basis of the proposed amendments. II. COMMENTS ON THE AMENDMENTS The European Parliament's amendments can be grouped into several categories. Notably they concern the proposal's scope, the notion of conformity, the consumer's rights, how these rights are exercised in practice, the producer's obligations, commercial guarantees and the final provisions. 1. Scope Amendments 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 concern the scope of the proposal for a Directive. The Commission has fully integrated amendments 11, 14, 15 and 17. Amendments 12 and 16 were integrated with a drafting modification. In amendment 12 the words "excluding buildings" were deleted, because this exclusion is already covered by the expression "moveable goods". In the case of amendment 16 the expression £ "and/or" is to be avoided. In this definition is enough to write "or", because this is not an alternative "or", but a cumulative one. Amendments 2 and 13 were partly integrated. As regards amendment 2, the term "contracts of hire" was deleted, because to include them would alter the scope of the Directive, something which cannot be done within a recital. The term "statutory activity" was rejected. Article 1(2) (c) of the initial proposal corresponds to the traditional definitions of the existing directives. Hence changes should be restricted to a minimum. The part of the amendment which aims to include contracts for the exchange of assets in the scope meets a practical need. On the contrary, it is not necessary to include statutory activity, given the minor importance of such a modification in practice. Finally, the Commission rejected amendment 1. However, the Directive's reasoning is based on two strands, the internal market but also the consumer protection. Taking into account Parliament's intention to strengthen the consumer policy strand, the Commission has integrated a new recital into the amended proposal incorporating the wording of Article 129a. 2. Notion of conformity Amendments 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 concern the notion of conformity. The Commission has integrated amendments 19, 20, 21 and 23. Amendments 18 and 22 were rejected because they are foreign to this notion of conformity as set out in Article 2. The intention of amendment 18 is already covered by Article 2(2)(d). Moreover, it is unusual in commercial practice for a producer to present the consumer with a sample or model. The elements mentioned in amendment 22 are covered by Article 2(2)(d), which concerns the quality aspects, while Article 2(2)(b) concerns normal use of the good. 3. The consumer's rights Amendments 24, 26, 29 and 45 concern the consumer's rights. The Commission has accepted amendments 29 and 45. Amendments 24 and 26 could only be partly integrated. As regards amendment 24, it is preferable not to refer to "actual" delivery. The term delivery on its own gives the Member States an adequate margin for transposition, without broaching the general problem of the transfer of risks, one which is regulated in very different ways and in copious detail in domestic legislation. The part of amendment 26 deleting the second and third indents has not been integrated. These restrictions limit the general liability of the seller for public statements made by the producer or his representative and are special expressions of the general principle of good faith. 4. Exercising rights in practice Amendments 7, 27, 29, 30, 32 and 33 concern the way the consumer's rights are exercised in practice. The Commission has integrated amendments 7, 29, 30, 32 and 33. 3 Amendment 27 has not been integrated for the same reason linked to the principle of subsidiarity already mentioned in connection with amendment 24. The term delivery on its own gives the Member States an adequate margin for transposition, without broaching the general problem of the transfer of risks, one which is regulated in very different ways and in copious detail in domestic legislation. Article 4 of the original proposal has been deleted. This proposal was designed to balance consumers' freedom to choose between their four rights. Since this free choice has been restricted by the introduction of a hierarchy of consumer rights, together with criteria also restricting the consumer's choice in regard to his first two rights, the provision of Article 4(1) is no longer justified. Article 4(2) is in contradiction with amendment 33, which is now the new Article 5, and should therefore be deleted. 5. The producer's obligations Amendments 3, 4, 5, 10 and 25 concern the producer's liability. The Commission considers that it is preferable to leave this to the Member States. As mentioned in the penultimate recital, an amendment might be envisaged in the light of experience gained in implementing the Directive. Moreover, consumer rights and the current system of this Directive in general are not adapted to the introduction of this approach. Amendments 6 and 48 concern the producer's obligation to indicate a contact address from which consumers can obtain information to support their claims. These amendments have not been integrated. The system introduced by these amendments might obstruct the internal market. Finally, amendment 31 concerns the relations between the producer and the seller. The second part of this amendment has not been integrated by the Commission. It introduces a clause similar to Article 6(1) of the original proposal in favour of the seller, which is not justified. The need to protect professional sellers is less important than the need to protect the consumer. In the national legal orders relations between professionals are normally governed by freedom of contract. 6. Commercial guarantees Amendments 8 and 36 concerning the commercial guarantees were accepted. 7. Final provisions Amendment 9 concerns consumer information on the seller's after-sales service; amendment 38 concerns general measures to advise consumers of their rights. Amendment 38 has been integrated by the Commission. On the contrary, amendment 9, which refers to an amendment by the European Parliament which has not been adopted, has not been included because it does not correspond to a provision in the operative part of the proposal. <* Amendment 39 mandating the Commission to report on the application of the Directive has not been accepted. Such a report is not necessary unless it concerns a specific subject, with a concrete perspective. Moreover, since the transposition provisions have to be integrated into a very large and complex field of national civil law, the time limit of two years will be far too short to analyse experiences in applying the Directive. Amendment 40 introduces this proposal for a Directive into the Annex to the Directive on injunctions for the protection of consumer's interests. For reasons of legislative technique the amendment has been accepted with drafting emendations. Amendment 42 on the clause concerning private international law in the proposal for a Directive has been integrated. Amendment 43 concerns remedies; it has not been included. This problem is too complex and touches on too many questions that lie outside the scope of this proposal for it to be regulated in this context. r III. OVERVIEW COMMISSION'S OPINION IN REGARD TO THE PROPOSED PARLIAMENTARY AMENDMENTS Amend ment No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Provisions concerned Commission New numbering Recital 5 Recital 10 Recital 11 Article 1, paragraph 2, point a) Article 1, paragraph 2, point b) Article 1, paragraph 2, point c) Article 1, paragraph 2, point d) Article 1, paragraph 2, point e) Article 1, paragraph 2, point f) Article 1, paragraph 3 Article 2, paragraph 2, point c) Article 2, paragraph 2, point d) Article 2, paragraph 3 First citation Recital 3 a (new) Recital 6 Recital 6 a (new) Recital 7 Recital 7 a (new) Recital 8 Recital 9 Recital 10 a (new) Recital 11 Article 1, paragraph 2, point a) Article 1, paragraph 2, point b) Article 1, paragraph 2, point c) Article 1, paragraph 2, point d) Article 1, paragraph 2, point d) a (new) Article 1, paragraph 2, point d) a (new) Article 1, paragraph 2 a (new) Article 2, paragraph 2, point a) Article 2, paragraph 2 , point c) Article 2, paragraph 2, point d) Article 2, paragraph 2 a (new) Article 2, paragraph 2 b (new) Refused Accepted provided an element is deleted Refused Refused Refused Refused Accepted Accepted Refused Refused Accepted Accepted with drafting emendation Partly accepted Accepted Accepted Accepted with drafting emendation Accepted Refused Accepted Accepted Accepted Refused c 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 36 38 39 40 42 43 45 48 Article 2, paragraph 3 Article 3, paragraph 1 Article 3, paragraph 1 a (new) Article 3, paragraph 2 Article 3, paragraph 3 Article 3 , paragraph 4, second subparagraph a (new) Article 3, paragraph 4, second subparagraph b (new) Article 3, paragraph 5 Article 3 a (new) Article 3 b (new) Article 5 Article 5 b (new) Article 5 c (new) Article 5 d (new) Article 6, paragraph 2 Article 7, paragraph 2 Article 3, paragraph 4 Article 3 c (new) Accepted Partly accepted Refused First part only accepted Refused Accepted Article 2, paragraph 4 Article 3, paragraph 1 Article 3, paragraph 2, first indent. Article 3, paragraph 5 Accepted Article 3, paragraph 6 First part only accepted Accepted Accepted with amendment Accepted Accepted Refused Accepted with drafting emendation Accepted Refused Accepted Refused Article 3, paragraph 7 Article 4 Article 5 Article 6 Article 7 Article 8 Article 9, paragraph 2 Article 10 Article 3, paragraph 4 This table shows that the Commission accepted 26 out of the 40 amendments approved by the European Parliament, some of which have been accepted either partly or with drafting emendations, or with modifications to the substance. > Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Having regard to the Treaty establishing Unchanged the European Community, particular Article 100a thereof, and in Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard Economic and Social Committee, to the opinion of the Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189b of the Treaty, Whereas the Community contributes to the attainment of a high level of consumer protection through the measures it adopts in the framework of completing the internal market; Whereas the internal market comprises an Unchanged area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is guaranteed; whereas free movement of goods concerns not only persons acting in the course of business but also private individuals; whereas it implies that consumers resident in one Member State should be free to purchase goods in the territory of another Member State on the basis of a minimum set of fair rules governing the purchase of consumer goods; Unchanged Whereas the laws of the Member States concerning the sale of consumer goods are that quite disparate, with national consumer goods markets differ from one another and that competition between sellers may be distorted; result the r the from Whereas consumers who are keen to Unchanged large market by benefit purchasing goods in Member States other than their State of residence play a fundamental role in the completion of the internal market by preventing the artificial reconstruction of new frontiers and the compartmentalization of markets; whereas these opportunities have been greatly broadened communication new technologies which allow ready access to in other Member distribution systems States or at international level; whereas in the absence of minimum harmonisation of the rules governing the purchase of consumer goods, the development of the sale of goods through the medium of new distance communication technologies risks being impeded; by Whereas the sale of consumer goods should cover all types of contract whereby goods are supplied by the seller to the consumer, including contracts where goods are supplied in exchange for another asset in place of the purchase price and contracts where payments are made by instalments and ownership of is not the goods transferred to the consumer until all instalments due have been paid; Whereas the creation of a common Unchanged minimum corpus of consumer law, valid no matter where goods • are purchased within further the Community, will strengthen consumer confidence and enable consumers to make the most of the internal market; 9 concern Whereas the main difficulties encountered Unchanged by consumers and the main source of disputes with the sellers non-conformity of goods with the contract; whereas it is therefore appropriate to approximate national legislation governing the sale of consumer goods in this respect, without however impinging on provisions and principles of national law relating to contractual and non-contractual liability; the goods must, above all, Unchanged the with Whereas contractual conform the notion of specifications; whereas conformity with the contract may be considered as common to the different national legal traditions; whereas the seller should be directly liable to the consumer for the conformity of the goods with the contract; whereas this is the traditional solution enshrined in the legal orders of the Member States; whereas, nevertheless, to pursue the seller should be free remedies against his own seller or the producer when the non-conformity is the result of ah act of commission or omission on their part; the goods must, above all, Unchanged the with Whereas contractual conform the notion of specifications; whereas conformity with the contract may be considered as common to the different national legal traditions; whereas the seller should be directly liable to the consumer for the conformity of the goods with the contract; whereas this is the traditional solution enshrined in the legal orders of the Member States; whereas, nevertheless, the seller should be free to pursue remedies against his own seller or the producer when the non-conformity is the result of an act of commission or omission on their part; Jo Whereas, in the case of non-conformity of Unchanged the product with the contract, consumers should be entitled to request that the product be repaired or replaced, or to a reduction in the price paid by way of damages or cancellation of the contract of sale; whereas, however, exercise of these rights should be limited in time and time limits laid down during which these rights may be invoked against the seller; interest of a stable Deleted in the Whereas, business environment and good faith in the relations between the Contracting Parties, it should be incumbent on the consumer to notify the seller of any non-conformity he detects within a short period; whereas in order to allow the parties to reach amicable settlements without immediately having to institute legal proceedings to safeguard their rights the limitation period should be interrupted once the consumer draws attention to the lack of conformity of the goods; Whereas it is current practice, for certain for sellers and categories of goods, producers to offer guarantees on their products designed to insure consumers against any defect which becomes manifest within a certain period; whereas this practice can stimulate competition; whereas, however, these guarantees may be a simple publicity ploy and deceive the consumer; whereas to ensure market transparency certain common principles applicable to the guarantees offered by the economic operators should be laid down; to for their products designed Whereas it is current practice, for certain sellers and categories of goods, producers to offer commercial guarantees on insure consumers against any defect which becomes manifest within a certain period; stimulate whereas this practice competition; whereas, however, these guarantees may be a simple publicity ploy and deceive the consumer; whereas to ensure market transparency certain common principles applicable the guarantees offered by the economic operators should be laid down; can to // between the parties Whereas the rights granted to consumers Unchanged should not be excludable by common consent since otherwise the legal protection afforded would be vitiated; whereas consumers should always be entitled to rely on the rights resulting from this Directive or any other applicable national provision, even if they accept the implementation of the guarantee; whereas consumer protection resulting from this Directive should not be reduced on the grounds that the law of a non-member country is applicable to the contract; Unchanged Unchanged Whereas legislation and case-law in this area in the various Member States show that there is growing concern to ensure a high level of consumer protection; whereas in the light of these trends and the experience acquired in implementing this Directive it may be necessary to envisage more far-reaching harmonisation, notably by stipulating the producer's direct liability for defects for which he is responsible; Whereas Member States must be allowed in force more to adopt or maintain stringent provisions, in the field covered by this Directive, to ensure a yet higher level of consumer protection, HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 Scope and definitions 1. The purpose of this Directive is the Unchanged approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees in order to ensure a uniform minimum level of consumer protection in the context of the internal market. /JL 2. For the purposes of this Directive, Unchanged (a) "Consumer" means any natural person who, in the contracts covered by this Directive, is acting for purposes which are not directly related to his trade, business or profession; (a) "Consumer" means any natural person who, in the contracts covered by this Directive, is acting for purposes which are not directly related to his trade, business or profession; (b) "Consumer goods" means any goods, excluding buildings, normally intended for final use or consumption; (b) "Consumer goods" means any moveable goods to consumers; that are supplied by sellers (c) "Seller" means any natural or legal person who sells consumer goods in the course of his trade, business or profession; (d) "Guarantee" means any additional undertaking given by a seller or producer, over and above the legal rules governing the sale of consumer goods, to reimburse the price paid, to exchange, repair or handle a product in any way, in the case of non-conformity of the product with the contract. (c) "Seller" means any natural or legal person who sells consumer goods in the course of his trade, business or profession or supplies them in exchange for another asset in place of the purchase price; (d) "Commercial guarantee" means any special undertaking given by a seller or producer to put things right if the goods do not match the characteristics described in the guarantee statement or the relevant advertising. e) "Manufacturer" means the manufacturers of the goods, the persons importing the goods into Community territory, or any persons purporting to be the manufacturer by putting their name, trade mark or other distinguishing mark on the goods. f) "Manufacturer's representative" means the natural or legal person who acts as the official distributor or official service provider of the manufacturer, with the exception of independent sellers who operate exclusively as retailers; 3. Contracts for the delivery of goods to be manufactured or produced shall be equated with purchase contracts. 12 Article 2 Conformity with the contract 1. Consumer goods must be in conformity Unchanged with the contract of sale. 2. Goods shall be deemed conformity with the contract if, at the moment of delivery to the consumer: to be in Unchanged (a) they comply with the description given Unchanged by the seller and possess the qualities of the goods which the seller has held out to the consumer as a sample or model; (b) they are fit for the purposes for which Unchanged goods of the same type are normally used; (c) they are fit for any particular purpose for which the consumer requires them and which he had made known to the seller at the time of conclusion of the contract, except where the circumstances show that the buyer did not rely on the seller's explanations; (c) they are fit for any particular purpose for which the consumer requires them and which he had made known to the seller at the time of conclusion of the contract; (d) their quality and performance are satisfactory given the nature of the goods and the price paip! and taking into account the public statements made about them by the his representative. producer seller, the or 3. Any lack of conformity resulting from incorrect installation of the goods shall be considered to be equivalent to lack of conformity of the goods with the contract, if the goods were installed by the seller or under his responsibility. d) their quality and performance are such as consumers were entitled to expect, partly on the grounds of the public statements made about the product in advertising or labelling the producer or his the by representative. seller, to be in 3. Goods shall be deemed conformity with the contract as defined in this Article if at the time of purchase the consumer agreed to conclude the contract although aware of the lack of conformity. 4. Any lack of conformity resulting from incorrect installation of the goods shall be considered to be equivalent to lack of conformity of the goods with the contract, if the goods were installed by the seller or under his responsibility. This shall apply equally if the product is installed by the consumer and the incorrect installation is due to a lack of conformity in the written installation instructions. /V Article 3 Obligations of the seller 1. The seller shall be liable to the consumer for any lack of conformity which exists when the goods are delivered to the consumer and which becomes manifest within a period of two years unless, at the moment of conclusion of the contract of sale, the consumer knew or could not be unaware of the lack of conformity. 1. The seller shall be liable to the consumer for any lack of conformity which exists when the goods are delivered to the consumer and which becomes manifest within a period of two years. 2. When the goods are not in conformity Unchanged with the public statements made by the producer or his representative, the seller shall not be liable if: - the seller shows that he did not know and - the seller shows that he did not know and could not reasonably know the statement could not know the statement in question, in question, - the seller shows that at the time of sale he Unchanged corrected the statement, or - the seller shows that the decision to buy Unchanged the goods could not have been influenced by the statement. 3. Until proof of the contrary any lack of Unchanged conformity which becomes manifest within six months of delivery shall be presumed to have existed at the time of delivery, unless is incompatible with the nature of the goods or the nature of the lack of conformity. this presumption x 4. When a lack of conformity is notified to to Article 4, the the seller, pursuant consumer shall be entitled to ask the seller either to repair the goods free of charge within a reasonable period, or to replace the goods, when this is possible, or to demand an appropriate price reduction or rescission of the contract. Exercise of the right of rescission or replacement of the good is limited to one year. Member States may provide that the scope of the rights referred to in the first subparagraph be limited in the case of a minor lack of conformity. the seller, 4. When a lack of conformity is notified to seller must without the unreasonable delay offer to repair the goods free of charge within a reasonable period, or to replace the goods. The consumer shall have the right to choose either of these claims unless, in view of the particular nature of the case, only one specific claim appears economically appropriate having regard interests, and seller's reasonable to the consumer. The consumer need not accept an offer to repair the goods when this results in a reduction in their value; in such a case he may demand a replacement. the to If neither of these is possible, or if the lack of conformity is not made good after the attempted repair, the purchaser shall have the to demand an appropriate reduction of the purchase price or rescission of the contract. right 5. The same provisions shall apply to goods supplied by way of replacement as to newly purchased goods. Where the goods are replaced, the guarantee period pursuant to paragraph 1 shall recommence. Where a defect is remedied, this guarantee period shall recommence in respect of the remedied defect. 6. The seller shall bear any costs incurred, such as for transport, travelling, labour or materials. 5. When the final seller is liable to the consumer because of a lack of conformity resulting from an act of commission or omission by the producer, a previous seller in the same chain of contracts or any other intermediary, the final seller shall be entitled to pursue remedies against the responsible person, under the conditions laid down by national law. 7. When the final seller is liable to the consumer because of a lack of conformity resulting from an act of commission or omission by the producer, a previous seller in the same chain of contracts or any other intermediary, the final seller shall be entitled to pursue remedies against the persons liable, under the conditions laid down by national law. ic Article 4 Payment by instalments If the seller and consumer agree to payment by instalments, such payments may be suspended until a lack of contractual conformity is put right. Article 5 Suspension of periods of liability Where the consumer notifies the seller of a lack of conformity, the period under Article 3(1) shall be suspended until the seller's obligations are fulfilled. If the consumer has recourse to an existing extrajudicial complaints system in the Member States or takes legal action, the period under Article 3(1) shall likewise be suspended until a decision is taken under the extrajudicial complaints system or a judicial decision is made. Article 4 Obligations of the consumer Deleted 1. In order to «benefit from the rights Deleted referred to in Article 3 (4) the consumer must notify the seller of any lack of conformity within a period of one month from the date on which he detected the lack of conformity or ought normally to have detected it. 2. Notifications made pursuant to paragraph 1 shall interrupt the limitation period provided for in Article 3 (4). Deleted a Article 5 Guarantees Article 6 Commercial guarantees 1. Any guarantee offered by a seller or producer shall legally bind the offerer under the conditions laid down in the guarantee document and the associated advertising and must place the beneficiary in a more advantageous position than that resulting from the rules governing the sale of consumer goods set out in the national provisions applicable. 2. The guarantee must feature in a written document which must be freely available for consultation before purchase and must clearly set out the essential particulars necessary for making claims under the guarantee, notably the duration and territorial scope of the guarantee, as well as the name and address of the guarantor. 1. Any guarantee offered shall legally bind the offerer under the conditions laid down in the the guarantee document and associated advertising and must place the beneficiary in a more advantageous position than that resulting from the rules governing the sale of consumer goods set out in the national provisions applicable. the duration 2. The guarantee must feature in a written document which must be freely available for consultation before purchase and must clearly set out the essential particulars necessary for making claims under the guarantee, notably and territorial scope of the guarantee, the name and address of the person to be contacted, the procedure to be followed in order to make a claim under the guarantee, as well as the name and address of the guarantor. It must also advise consumers that they have legal rights and that the guarantee does not affect those rights in any way. A guarantee only on specific parts of the product must clearly indicate this limitation, otherwise the limitation shall be invalid. Article 7 Consumer information Member States shall provide measures to inform consumers of the national law to transpose this Directive and adopted shall where appropriate ask professional organisations to inform consumers of their rights. Article 8 In the annex of Directive 98/. /EC of the European Parliament and the Council on actions for restraint to protect the interests if of consumers* the following is added : '10) Directive 98/. /EC on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees' (OJ No L. of. 1998, p. ). Article 6 Article 9 Binding nature of the provisions the 1. Any contractual terms or agreements Unchanged, concluded with before notification of the lack of conformity which waive or restrict the rights resulting from this Directive shall not be binding on the consumer. seller 2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that, irrespective of the law applicable to the contract, and when the contract has a close connection with the Member States, the consumers are not deprived of the protection afforded by this Directive. territory of 2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that consumers are not deprived of the protection afforded by this Directive if the law of a third country has been chosen as the law to be applied to the contract and the contract has a close connection with the territory of the Member States. Article 7 Article 10 National law and minimum protection 1. The rights resulting from this Directive shall be exercised without prejudice to other rights which the consumer may rely on under the national rules governing contractual or non-contractual liability. Unchanged force more 2. Member States may adopt or maintain Unchanged in stringent provisions, compatible with the Treaty, in the field covered by this Directive, to ensure a higher level of consumer protection. Article 8 Transposition 1. Member States shall bring into force the administrative laws, regulations and Article 11 Unchanged 1 OJ. Nr. of 1998, p. /9 provisions necessary to comply with this Directive not later than [two years after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities]. They shall immediately the Commission inform thereof. When Member States adopt these provisions, these shall contain a reference to this Directive, or shall be accompanied by such reference at the time of their official publication. The procedure for such reference shall be adopted by Member States. 2. Member States shall communicate to Unchanged the Commission the provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive. Article 9 Entry into force Article 12 This Directive shall enter into force on the Unchanged 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Article 10 Article 13 This Directive is addressed to the Member Unchanged States. Done at Brussels For the European Parliament For the Council The President The President ocrc ISSN 0254-1475 COM(98) 217 final DOCUMENTS EN 10 06 Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-22&-EN-C ISBN 92-78-33063-9 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg :JI


title: SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL nr. 861/98 af Ursula SCHLEICHER til Rådet. Virkninger af forbuddet mod tobaksreklame

eurovoc_concepts:
advertising
application of EU law
approximation of laws
competence of the Member States
directive (EU)
public health
single market
tobacco industry

formats: html pdf print

text: 21. 10. 98 DA De Europ(cid:230)iske F(cid:230)llesskabers Tidende C 323/87 Hvorfor sigter ikke en eneste forskrift specielt mod beskyttelse af de unge, til trods for at den fjerde betragtning udtrykkeligt fremh(cid:230)ver beskyttelse af de unge? Hvorfor forbyder man reklame ogs(cid:229) for mindre sundhedsfarlige »lette« cigaretter, n(cid:229)r man derved hindrer, at disse tager markedsandele fra de mere skadelige sorter? (98/C 323/120) SKRIFTLIG FORESP(cid:216)RGSEL E-0861/98 af Ursula Schleicher (PPE) til R(cid:229)det (31. marts 1998) Om: Virkninger af forbuddet mod tobaksreklame Omfatter »reklame« i direktivets forstand (de·r meget bredt formuleret som »enhver form for meddelelse«) ogs(cid:229) foranstaltninger som en cigaretproducents generalforsamling eller pressekonference (hhv. samme arrangementer for en producent af ikke-tobaksvarer)? Hvorledes stemmer forbuddet mod plakatreklame › en rent national foreteelse › overens med hensigten om at fjerne handelshindringer? (98/C 323/121) SKRIFTLIG FORESP(cid:216)RGSEL E-0862/98 af Ursula Schleicher (PPE) til R(cid:229)det (31. marts 1998) Om: Virkninger af forbuddet mod tobaksreklame Skal direktivet opfattes s(cid:229)ledes, at enhver anvendelse af navn eller m(cid:230)rke p(cid:229) tobaksprodukter ogs(cid:229) p(cid:229) andre produkter principielt skal opfattes som en »omg(cid:229)else« af forbuddet mod reklame? G(cid:230)lder dette ogs(cid:229), hvor der er tale om tilf(cid:230)ldig navnelighed (f. eks. St. Moritz som kursted og samtidig som cigaretm(cid:230)rke) og i tilf(cid:230)lde, hvor ikke-tobaksproduktet er (cid:230)ldre end tobakm(cid:230)rket? Hvem tr(cid:230)ffer i ben(cid:230)gtende fald afgłrelse om, hhv. m(cid:229) bevise, at en omg(cid:229)else er fors(cid:230)tlig? Samlet svar p(cid:229) skriftlige forespłrgsler E-0856/98, E-0857/98, E-0858/98, E-0859/98, E-0860/98, E-0861/98 og E-0862/98 (13. -14. juli 1998) Som det er det (cid:230)rede medlem bekendt, godkendte Europa-Parlamentet efter en indg(cid:229)ende drłftelse ved andenbehandlingen den 13. maj 1998 R(cid:229)dets f(cid:230)lles holdning vedrłrende Europa-Parlamentets og R(cid:229)dets direktiv om indbyrdes tiln(cid:230)rmelse af medlemsstaternes love og administrative bestemmelser om reklame for tobaksvarer og sponsorering til fordel for disse uden at frems(cid:230)tte (cid:230)ndringsforslag hertil. R(cid:229)det vedtog derfor direktivet p(cid:229) samlingen den 22. juni 1998. Hvad navnlig ang(cid:229)r de spłrgsm(cid:229)l, som det (cid:230)rede medlem rejser, skal det anfłres, at R(cid:229)det under behandlingen af Kommissionens forslag har bestr(cid:230)bt sig p(cid:229) at n(cid:229) frem til en lovtekst, hvormed der b(cid:229)de tages hensyn til, at det indre marked skal kunne fungere effektivt, og nłdvendigheden af at sikre et hłjt sundhedsbeskyttelsesniveau. Der er i betragtningerne og i den begrundelse, som blev forelagt Parlamentet forud for andenbehandlingen, gjort detaljeret rede for de overvejelser, der har ligget til grund for R(cid:229)dets drłftelser af dette direktivforslag. Det p(cid:229)hviler medlemsstaterne at tr(cid:230)ffe passende foranstaltninger med henblik p(cid:229) at sikre, at direktivet gennemfłres p(cid:229) en s(cid:229)dan m(cid:229)de, at det bliver muligt at opfylde de tilstr(cid:230)bte m(cid:229)l. R(cid:229)det głr det (cid:230)rede medlem opm(cid:230)rksom p(cid:229), at det p(cid:229)hviler Kommissionen at overv(cid:229)ge gennemfłrelsen af de forskrifter, som institutionerne vedtager i medfłr af traktaten, og at Domstolen har kompetence til dels at fortolke forskrifterne, dels at sikre, at de er i overensstemmelse med traktatens bestemmelser


title: Verordnung (EG) Nr. 727/98 der Kommission vom 31. März 1998 zur Aufhebung mehrerer der durch die Verordnungen (EG) Nr. 1898/97 und (EG) Nr. 1899/97 zur Festlegung der den Schweinefleischsektor bzw. die Sektoren Geflügelfleisch und Eier betreffenden Durchführungsbestimmungen zu der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 3066/95 des Rates eröffneten Konzessionen

eurovoc_concepts:
Czechia
customs duties
import licence
import policy
pigmeat
poultrymeat

text: 1. 4. 98 ‹ ‹DE Amtsblatt der Europ(cid:132)ischen Gemeinschaften L 100/49 VERORDNUNG (EG) Nr. 727/98 DER KOMMISSION vom 31. M(cid:132)rz 1998 zur Aufhebung mehrerer der durch die Verordnungen (EG) Nr. 1898/97 und (EG) Nr. 1899/97 zur Festlegung der den Schweinefleischsektor bzw. die Sektoren Gefl(cid:129)gelfleisch und Eier betreffenden Durchf(cid:129)hrungsbestimmungen zu der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 3066/95 des Rates er(cid:148)ffneten Konzessionen DIE KOMMISSION DER EUROP(cid:142)ISCHEN GEMEINSCHAFTEN — gest(cid:129)tzt auf den Vertrag zur Gr(cid:129)ndung der Europ(cid:132)ischen Gemeinschaft, gest(cid:129)tzt auf die Verordnung (EG) Nr. 3066/95 des Rates vom 22. Dezember 1995 (cid:129)ber Zugest(cid:132)ndnisse in Form von gemeinschaftlichen Zollkontingenten f(cid:129)r bestimmte landwirtschaftliche Erzeugnisse und zur autonomen und befristeten Anpassung bestimmter in den Europa- Abkommen vorgesehener Zugest(cid:132)ndnisse f(cid:129)r landwirt- schaftliche Erzeugnisse, um dem in Rahmen der multi- lateralen Handelsverhandlungen der Uruguay-Runde geschlossenen (cid:154)bereinkommen (cid:129)ber die Landwirtschaft Rechnung zu tragen (1), zuletzt ge(cid:132)ndert durch die Verord- nung (EG) Nr. 1595/97 (2), inbesondere auf Artikel 8, in Erw(cid:132)gung nachstehender Gr(cid:129)nde: Die Verordnung (EG) Nr. 703/98 des Rates (3) zur Ausset- zung bestimmter Zugest(cid:132)ndnisse gem(cid:132)ß der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 3066/95 hat vorgesehen, in den Sektoren Schweinefleisch einerseits und Gefl(cid:129)gelfleisch anderer- seits mehrere Konzessionen aufzuheben. Von den Durch- f(cid:129)hrungsbestimmungen der Verordnungen (EG) Nr. 1898/97 (4), ge(cid:132)ndert durch die Verordnung (EG) Nr. 618/98 (5), und (EG) Nr. 1899/97 (6) der Kommission ist deshalb abzuweichen. Die in dieser Verordnung vorgesehenen Maßnahmen entsprechen der Stellungnahme der zust(cid:132)ndigen Verwal- tungsaussch(cid:129)sse — HAT FOLGENDE VERORDNUNG ERLASSEN: Artikel 1 Die Beantragung von Lizenzen f(cid:129)r die Einfuhr von Erzeugnissen zu erm(cid:132)ßigten Zolls(cid:132)tzen aus der Tschechi- schen Republik gem(cid:132)ß der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1898/97 und f(cid:129)r die Gruppen 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 und 24 gem(cid:132)ß der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1899/97 wird ab 1. April 1998 ausgesetzt. Artikel 2 Diese Verordnung gilt ab 1. April 1998. Diese Verordnung ist in allen ihren Teilen verbindlich und gilt unmittelbar in jedem Mitgliedstaat. Br(cid:129)ssel, den 31. M(cid:132)rz 1998 F(cid:129)r die Kommission Franz FISCHLER Mitglied der Kommission (1) ABl. L 328 vom 30. 12. 1995, S. 31. (2) ABl. L 216 vom 8. 8. 1997, S. 1. (3) ABl. L 98 vom 31. 3. 1998, S. 1. (4) ABl. L 267 vom 30. 9. 1997, S. 58. (5) ABl. L 82 vom 19. 3. 1998, S. 35. (6) ABl. L 267 vom 30. 9. 1997, S. 67


title: QUESTION ECRITE no 858/98 de Ursula SCHLEICHER au Conseil. Incidence de l'interdiction de la publicité sur le tabac

eurovoc_concepts:
advertising
application of EU law
approximation of laws
competence of the Member States
directive (EU)
product designation
public health
single market
tobacco industry
trademark

text: C 323/86 FR Journal officiel des Communaute·s europe·ennes 21. 10. 98 (98/C 323/116) QUESTION E· CRITE E-0857/98 pose·e par Ursula Schleicher (PPE) au Conseil (31 mars 1998) Objet: Incidence de l(cid:146)interdiction de la publicite· sur le tabac La directive concerne·e interdit, apre‘s une pe·riode de transition, de de·signer de nouvelles marques de cigarettes d(cid:146)apre‘s d(cid:146)autres produits ou services. Cette interdiction signifie-t-elle qu(cid:146)avant l(cid:146)introduction d(cid:146)une nouvelle marque de cigarettes, il faudra de·sormais ve·rifier si le nom pre·vu pour la marque a de·ja‘ e·te· utilise· dans le monde pour un produit ou pour un service? L(cid:146)interdiction porte e·galement sur la distribution gratuite, qui a un effet direct ou indirect de publicite· pour un produit du tabac. Cette interdiction s(cid:146)applique-t-elle e·galement a‘ la distribution, courante dans le commerce, d(cid:146)e·chantillons 1. pour les produits autres que les produits du tabac (par exemple, en ce qui concerne les articles cosme·tiques de la lotion de rasage Davidoff)? Les E· tats membres peuvent-ils autoriser a‘ fournir la preuve qu(cid:146)une distribution gratuite de produits autres 2. que les produits du tabac n(cid:146)encourage pas en l(cid:146)espe‘ce la vente des produits du tabac? (98/C 323/117) QUESTION E· CRITE E-0858/98 pose·e par Ursula Schleicher (PPE) au Conseil (31 mars 1998) Objet: Incidence de l(cid:146)interdiction de la publicite· sur le tabac La publicite· dans les points de vente ainsi que le conditionnement et la de·signation du prix e·chappent expresse·ment au domaine d(cid:146)application de la directive; ces questions peuvent par conse·quent e(cid:136)tre re·gle·es par les E· tats membres. Cela s(cid:146)applique-t-il seulement aux produits du tabac ou e·galement aux produits autres que les produits du tabac de la me(cid:136)me marque? La publicite· en faveur du tabac dans les produits de la presse originaire des pays tiers ne rele‘ve pas non plus du champ d(cid:146)application de la directive. Cela signifie-t-il que les E· tats membres sont libres d(cid:146)autoriser ou d(cid:146)interdire cette publicite· et de cre·er ainsi 1. de nouvelles entraves aux e·changes? 2. Ce re‘glement s(cid:146)applique-t-il e·galement a‘ la publicite· pour les produits autres que les produits du tabac? De quelle manie‘re la faculte· qu(cid:146)ont les E· tats membres, aux termes de la directive, d(cid:146)arre(cid:136)ter des re‘glements plus stricts, s(cid:146)exerce-t-elle par rapport aux dispositions pre·vues a‘ l(cid:146)article 100 A, paragraphe 4 du traite· CEE? (98/C 323/118) QUESTION E· CRITE E-0859/98 pose·e par Ursula Schleicher (PPE) au Conseil (31 mars 1998) Objet: Incidence de l(cid:146)interdiction de la publicite· sur le tabac La directive concerne·e vise, on le sait, a‘ prote·ger la sante· publique. 1. Pour quelle raison l(cid:146)article 129 du traite· CEE n(cid:146)est-il pas retenu comme base juridique? Pour quelle raison les conside·rants e·nonce·s dans la position commune tiennent-ils dans une bien moindre 2. mesure compte de la sante· publique que la proposition de la Commission? (98/C 323/119) QUESTION E· CRITE E-0860/98 pose·e par Ursula Schleicher (PPE) au Conseil (31 mars 1998) Objet: Incidence de l(cid:146)interdiction de la publicite· sur le tabac La directive concerne·e, qui laisse une large marge de man(cid:156)uvre aux E· tats membres pour l(cid:146)adoption de re‘glements spe·ciaux, est-elle approprie·e pour l(cid:146)harmonisation de la base juridique?


title: Resolution informing the Commission of the reasons for the postponement of the discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the 1996 financial year

eurovoc_concepts:
European Commission
budgetary discharge
general budget (EU)
implementation of the budget

formats: html print


title: SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL nr. 834/98 af Francisca SAUQUILLO PÉREZ DEL ARCO til Rådet. Anerkendelse af titlen "teknisk ingeniør" i forbindelse med ansættelse som EF-tjenestemand i stillingsgruppen A/LA

eurovoc_concepts:
European official
Spain
administrator
competition (EU)
engineer
equal treatment
power to appoint
recognition of diplomas
recruitment


title: PERGUNTA ESCRITA n. 857/98 do Deputado Ursula SCHLEICHER ao Conselho. Efeitos da proibição da publicidade aos produtos do tabaco

eurovoc_concepts:
advertising
application of EU law
approximation of laws
competence of the Member States
directive (EU)
distributive trades
product designation
public health
tobacco industry
trademark

text: C 323/86 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 21. 10. 98 (98/C 323/116) PERGUNTA ESCRITA E-0857/98 apresentada por Ursula Schleicher (PPE) ao Conselho (31 de Mar(cid:231)o de 1998) Objecto: Efeitos da proibi(cid:231)a(cid:152)o da publicidade aos produtos do tabaco A directiva relativa a‘ proibi(cid:231)a(cid:152)o da publicidade e do patroc(cid:14)·nio respeitantes ao tabaco pro(cid:14)·be, apo·s um per(cid:14)·odo de transi(cid:231)a(cid:152)o, que novas marcas de tabaco utilizem a designa(cid:231)a(cid:152)o utilizada para outros produtos ou servi(cid:231)os. Significa tal proibi(cid:231)a(cid:152)o que, futuramente, devera· ser analisado antes da introdu(cid:231)a(cid:152)o de uma nova marca de cigarros se o nome projectado para a marca ja· existe algures no mundo para qualquer outro produto (ou para qualquer outro servi(cid:231)o)? E· igualmente proibida qualquer distribui(cid:231)a(cid:152)o gratuita cujo objectivo ou efeito, directo ou indirecto, seja o de promover um produto do tabaco. 1. Esta norma aplicar-se-a· tambe·m a‘ distribui(cid:231)a(cid:152)o, habitual nos circuitos comerciais, de amostras de mercadoria em rela(cid:231)a(cid:152)o a produtos que na(cid:152)o do tabaco (por exemplo, de artigos cosme·ticos como a lo(cid:231)a(cid:152)o de barbear Davidoff)? Podera(cid:152)o os Estados-membros autorizar a comprova(cid:231)a(cid:152)o de que uma distribui(cid:231)a(cid:152)o gratuita de produtos que 2. na(cid:152)o do tabaco na(cid:152)o tem quaisquer efeitos de promo(cid:231)a(cid:152)o da venda de produtos do tabaco? (98/C 323/117) PERGUNTA ESCRITA E-0858/98 apresentada por Ursula Schleicher (PPE) ao Conselho (31 de Mar(cid:231)o de 1998) Objecto: Efeitos da proibi(cid:231)a(cid:152)o da publicidade aos produtos do tabaco Esta(cid:152)o expressamente exclu(cid:14)·das do a(cid:136)mbito desta directiva a publicidade nos locais de venda bem como a apresenta(cid:231)a(cid:152)o do produto e a fixa(cid:231)a(cid:152)o do seu pre(cid:231)o; estas questo(cid:152)es podera(cid:152)o, de acordo com a directiva, ser regulamentadas pelos pro·prios Estados-membros. Aplicar-se-a· esta norma so· aos produtos do tabaco ou › sobretudo › tambe·m aos produtos que na(cid:152)o do tabaco detentores da mesma marca? Tambe·m na(cid:152)o e· abrangida pelo a(cid:136)mbito da presente directiva a publicidade aos produtos do tabaco surgida na imprensa de pa(cid:14)·ses terceiros. Significa isso que os Estados-membros sa(cid:152)o livres de autorizar essa publicidade ou de a proibir, instituindo 1. assim novas barreiras comerciais? 2. Aplicar-se-a· essa norma tambe·m a‘ publicidade de outros produtos que na(cid:152)o do tabaco? Como e· que a compete(cid:136)ncia dos Estados-membros, prevista na presente directiva, de adoptarem eles pro·prios normas mais rigorosas e· compat(cid:14)·vel com as disposi(cid:231)o(cid:152)es do no 4 do artigo 100o-A do Tratado CE? (98/C 323/118) PERGUNTA ESCRITA E-0859/98 apresentada por Ursula Schleicher (PPE) ao Conselho (31 de Mar(cid:231)o de 1998) Objecto: Efeitos da proibi(cid:231)a(cid:152)o da publicidade aos produtos do tabaco Como e· geralmente reconhecido, a directiva em questa(cid:152)o corresponde a‘ prossecu(cid:231)a(cid:152)o de um objectivo significativo em termos de pol(cid:14)·tica de sau·de. 1. Por que raza(cid:152)o e· que, todavia, na(cid:152)o e· apresentado como base jur(cid:14)·dica o artigo 129o do Tratado CE? Por que raza(cid:152)o e· que os considerandos da posi(cid:231)a(cid:152)o comum do Conselho da(cid:152)o menor e(cid:136)nfase a‘ protec(cid:231)a(cid:152)o da 2. sau·de do que o texto da proposta da Comissa(cid:152)o? (98/C 323/119) PERGUNTA ESCRITA E-0860/98 apresentada por Ursula Schleicher (PPE) ao Conselho (31 de Mar(cid:231)o de 1998) Objecto: Efeitos da proibi(cid:231)a(cid:152)o da publicidade aos produtos do tabaco Sera· que a directiva em questa(cid:152)o, com o seu amplo campo de manobra para disposi(cid:231)o(cid:152)es especiais por parte dos Estados-membros, se adequa a‘ harmoniza(cid:231)a(cid:152)o da situa(cid:231)a(cid:152)o jur(cid:14)·dica nesta mate·ria?


title: Resolution on criminal proceedings relating to the protection of the Union's financial interests

eurovoc_concepts: judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the EU


title: 98/329/CE: Decisión del Parlamento Europeo de 31 de marzo de 1998 por la que se aprueba la gestión financiera de la Comisión en lo referente al sexto Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo para el ejercicio 1996

eurovoc_concepts:
EDF
European Commission
European Parliament
budgetary discharge
financial year
implementation of the budget

text: L 146/26 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas 16. 5. 98 DECISI(cid:222)N DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO de 31 de marzo de 1998 por la que se aprueba la gesti(cid:155)n financiera de la Comisi(cid:155)n en lo referente al sexto Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo para el ejercicio 1996 (98/329/CE) EL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO, (cid:190) Visto el Tratado constitutivo de la Comunidad Europea, (cid:190) Visto el tercer Convenio ACP-CEE (1), (cid:190) Vistos los balances financieros y las cuentas de gesti(cid:155)n del sexto y del s(cid:130)ptimo Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo para el ejercicio 1996 [SEC(97)0938 (cid:190) C4-0274/97], (cid:190) Vistos el informe y la declaraci(cid:155)n de fiabilidad del Tribunal de Cuentas relativos al ejercicio 1996 y las respuestas de las Instituciones (2), (cid:190) Vista la Recomendaci(cid:155)n del Consejo de 9 de marzo de 1998 (C4-0167/98), (cid:190) Vistos el informe de la Comisi(cid:155)n de Control Presupuestario y la opini(cid:155)n de la Comisi(cid:155)n de Desarrollo y Cooperaci(cid:155)n (A4-0091/98), 1. Aprueba la gesti(cid:155)n financiera de la Comisi(cid:155)n en lo que respecta al sexto Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo durante el ejercicio 1996 sobre la base de los importes siguientes: BALANCE FINANCIERO DEL SEXTO FED A 31 DE DICIEMBRE DE 1996 (en miles de ecus) ACTIVO SITUACI(cid:222)N A 31. 12. 1996 Subvenciones Pr(cid:130)stamos Stabex Sysmin Gastos administrativos Activos l(cid:146)quidos Otros activos corrientes Operaciones por verificar PASIVO Contribuciones exigidas Otros ingresos Transferencia al s(cid:130)ptimo FED Importe debido al sexto FED Otros deudores (intereses por verificar) 4 130 078 924 402 1 451 123 95 855 2 340 SUBTOTAL 6 603 798 402 493 879 573 33 816 TOTAL 7 919 680 7 560 000 539 838 – 180 158 (cid:190) (cid:190) TOTAL 7 919 680 (1) DO L 86 de 31. 3. 1986. (2) DO C 348 de 18. 11. 1997 (Vol. I, cap(cid:146)tulo 12 y Vol. II, parte II). 16. 5. 98 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas L 146/27 UTILIZACI(cid:222)N DE LOS RECURSOS (cid:190) DEL SEXTO FED A 31 DE DICIEMBRE DE 1996 Distribuci(cid:155)n de los fondos Dotaci(cid:155)n inicial Recursos o reducciones a 31. 12. 1996 Recursos o reducciones en 1996 Nueva situaci(cid:155)n Total ACP Total PTU 7 400 000 000,00 380 554 371,58 35 599 450,38 7 816 153 821,96 100 000 000,00 3 526 646,39 0,00 103 526 646,39 Total 7 500 000 000,00 384 081 017,97 35 599 450,38 7 919 680 468,35 2. Hace constar sus observaciones en la resoluci(cid:155)n que forma parte integrante de la presente Decisi(cid:155)n. 3. Encarga a su Presidente que transmita la presente Decisi(cid:155)n, as(cid:146) como la resoluci(cid:155)n que contiene sus observaciones, a la Comisi(cid:155)n, al Consejo, al Tribunal de Cuentas y al Banco Europeo de Invesiones, y que disponga su publicaci(cid:155)n en el Diario Oficial de las Comuni- dades Europeas (serie L). El Secretario General Julian PRIESTLEY El Presidente Jos(cid:130) Mar(cid:146)a GIL-ROBLES


title: Resolutie inzake het verslag van de Commissie over de maatregelen die zijn genomen om gevolg te geven aan de opmerkingen in de resolutie van het Europees Parlement die een integrerend onderdeel vormen van het besluit waarbij de Commissie kwijting wordt verleend voor de uitvoering van de algemene begroting voor het begrotingsjaar 1995 (COM(97) 0571 C4-0126/98 I)

eurovoc_concepts:
ECSC operating budget
EDF
European Court of Auditors
activity report
budgetary discharge
financial year
general budget (EU)