Goods package largely welcome by businesses

Selling products in the EU should be easier. In December, the European Commission tabled two legislative proposals which will both facilitate the sale of goods in the internal market and strengthen controls to prevent the sale of dangerous products.

Czech consumers, as well as Czech companies, often complain that products entering the European market from countries outside the EU do not comply with safety standards. It is precisely on these checks that the Commission will focus. The increase in e-commerce has resulted in the entry of more dangerous products to the EU market and companies have long called for more effective controls. Strengthening controls within the EU as well as for the entry of goods into the internal market will, according to the proposal, be ensured through better cooperation between the supervisory authorities. Another positive is that the Commission is seeking to strengthen the principle of mutual recognition.

Czech firms are faced with non-standard requirements for additional certifications or other operations in some Member States even though their product has already been authorized and marketed in the Czech Republic. Czech businesses welcome the initiative because they want a functioning internal market without any unnecessary requirements being placed on them. However, experience with some EU Member States have so far made it clear that our products are not always welcome in their markets as they could compete with their domestic products.

Czech business organisations welcome the better use of SOLVIT information and the use of inputs within SOLVIT will be particularly welcomed by small and medium-sized companies, which do not have the legal means of large companies.