Press Release: Free movement of goods: too many infringements are hampering economic growth

Free movement of goods means essentially that Member States must in principle accept in their market products that are legally produced and/or marketed in another Member State. However, some national technical rules established by Member States undermine this principle. Though many have legitimate policy objectives, in cases where the free movement of goods is threatened, the Commission can launch infringement proceedings against the Member State concerned. Despite progress in consolidating the internal market, 146 infringement proceedings for breach of the principal of free movement of goods were still open at the end of 2004.