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

OBJECTIVE: to establish a Commission intervention mechanism to eliminate certain obstacles to the movement of goods. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Regulation (EC) no. 2679/98 on the operation of the single market with regard to the free movement of goods between Member States. CONTENTS: the Regulation 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 which it has taken or intends to take with regard to the obstacle. The Regulation obliges the 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. The Commission must notify the Member State concerned that the rules have been violated and the Member State must reply to the notification within five days. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 7 December 1998.�