Press Release: Major boost for trade in goods between EU Member States

The internal market for goods in the European Union will get a major boost after the final approval by Member States on 23 June, 2008, of a broad package of measures which removes the remaining obstacles in this field. It will bring particular benefits for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), who will no longer be discouraged from doing business outside their domestic markets. Existing market surveillance systems for industrial products will be strengthened and aligned with import controls. These measures will reinforce the role and credibility of CE marking. In addition, trade in goods which do not fall under EU-legislation will be improved. From now on a Member States that intends to refuse market access will have the duty to talk to the enterprise and to give detailed objective reasons for any possible refusal, making life for companies easier. The package of measures will have an impact on a large number of industrial sectors, representing a market volume of around € 1500 billion a year.