Free movement of goods: elimination of obstacles to trade, Commission intervention mechanism

1997/0330(CNS)
OBJECTIVE: to establish a Commission intervention procedure to eliminate certain obstacles to the movement of goods. SUBSTANCE: the proposal for a Regulation obliges any Member State within whose territory obstacles to the free movement of goods arise to take the necessary proportionate measures to re- establish free movement of goods within its territory as soon as possible in order to remove any risk of continuation, increase or intensification of the disruption or loss in question and any risk of disruption of the free movement of goods and the contractual relations on which it is based. More specifically, the proposal provides that if an obstacle arises or is likely to arise, any Member State which has the relevant information shall communicate it to the Commission immediately. The Commission is to forward the information to the Member States at once. The Member State must inform the Commission and, on request, the other Member States, of the measures it has taken or intends to take with regard to the obstacle. The Commission must notify the Member State concerned that the rules have been violated, and the Member State must reply to the notification. �