Food Quality Magazine
subject to the Fitness Check. The
focus of the Fitness Check will be
to assess whether the fundamental
objectives of these directives have
been efficiently achieved and fully
delivered.
In particular, it will assess whether
these directives have efficiently
achieved consumer protection and
market integration objectives. It will
analyse whether they have usefully
contributed to the Single Market
by enhancing consumers trust and
confidence as well as by removing
unjustified regulatory obstacles hindering cross-border trade in goods
and services. As already highlighted
in the context of the DSM Strategy
and in the preparatory works for the
above-mentioned proposal for a Directive on online and other distance
sales of goods, the differences between national rules based on the
minimum harmonisation nature of
the Sales and Guarantees Directive
have created Single Market barriers
that impede businesses from offering goods across the entire EU and
– as a result – consumer detriment.
The Fitness Check should also examine whether these instruments capture and reflect the current market
trends and, in particular, changes in
the markets and the behaviour of
consumers. The questions related
to redress will be an important part
of the exercise. The Fitness Check
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ISSUE 01 | JANUARY 2016
should further assess how well these
legal instruments fit within the overall Union’s legal landscape, taking
into account also its international
dimension. The Fitness Check will
also explore ways to improve the
application of the current EU legal
framework.
In addition, the Fitness Check should
assess the potential for simplification
in the current regulatory framework
and the reduction of regulatory costs
and burdens whi