Consumer price indices CPI: approximation

According to Mrs LULLING (EPP, L), in order to measure the inflationist temperature it was essential to create a unique ‘thermometer’ by way of harmonised consumer price indices. This Regulation was therefore a framework law within which detailed rules could be laid down in the form of a regulation by the Commission. In spite of the fact that this Regulation went outside the qualified majority procedure, for which there was the ‘modus vivendi’ with the Council and the Commission, Parliament wanted to be more closely involved in this decision-making stage. Commissioner BRITTAN pointed out that the timetable for EMU provided for an initial stage of consumer price harmonisation in 1996. As regards the legal basis, the Commission considered that Article 213 of the Treaty was adequate and appropriate. Therefore, as Article 213 did not imply the codecision procedure provided for in ex-Article 189b, the Commission could not take over the amendments on the legal basis. The remaining six amendments could not be taken over as they were redundant or unimportant in relation to this Regulation.