Brussels litigates on goods

The European Commission is taking legal action against eight EU member states for restricting the free movement of goods.

One EU official said the series of infringement cases, at varying stages of procedure, is a seasonal flurry for Brussels’ internal market authorities before the end of the calendar year.

Brussels confirmed it will take France to the European Court of Justice for failing to implement a previous ruling requiring the conversion of EU laws on defective products into national legislation.

Germany is also in the firing line for restricting the sale of parallel imported pesticides.

Belgium is being taken to the ECJ for requiring alarm systems already on sale in other EU countries to be approved by a Belgian body for sale in Belgium.

The commission has warned Finland formally to scrap obstacles to the use of vehicles driven in other member states.

Brussels is asking Spain to remove market barriers on the import of aerosol fire extinguishers, legally manufactured in another member state.

The commission is also asking the Netherlands to stop restrictions on the sale of imported portable ladders and on exports of certain types of stuffed animals.

The EU is requesting Italy to repeal laws which prohibit the registration of trailers for motorcycles.

Finally, Brussels is asking the United Kingdom to standardise performance testing on imported portable traffic lights.

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