62021TJ0349_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Third Chamber) of 13 September 2023 –Germany v Commission
(Case T‑349/21) (
1
)
(Approximation of laws – Directive 95/16/EC – Directive 2014/33/EU – Safeguard clause – National measure prohibiting the placing on the market of a lift model – Essential health and safety requirements – Commission decision declaring the measure to be unjustified – Manifest error of assessment)
1.
Approximation of laws – Lifts – Directive 2014/33 – Placing on the market – Member State using the safeguard clause in case of health or safety risk – Measure prohibiting the placing on the market of a lift model – Objections raised against that measure – No presumption of justification of the measure
(European Parliament and Council Directive 2014/33, Art. 38(7); Commission Decision 2021/534)
(see paragraphs 33, 37-39)
2.
Approximation of laws – Lifts – Directive 2014/33 – Placing on the market – Member State using the safeguard clause in case of health or safety risk – Measure prohibiting the placing on the market of a lift model – Objections raised against that measure – Obligation of the national surveillance authority to inform the Commission and the other Member States of that measure – No formal requirements
(European Parliament and Council Directive 2014/33, Art. 38(4), third subpara. and (5); Commission Decision 2021/534)
(see paragraphs 40-42)
3.
Approximation of laws – Lifts – Directive 2014/33 – Placing on the market – Member State using the safeguard clause in case of health or safety risk – Measure prohibiting the placing on the market of a lift model – Objections raised against that measure – Concept – Commission declaration confirming the need to have recourse to an independent expert to assess whether that measure is justified – Included
(European Parliament and Council Directive 95/16, Art. 7(1); Commission Decision 2021/534)
(see paragraph 43)
4.
Judicial proceedings – Proof – Probative value – Discretion of the General Court
(Rules of Procedure of the General Court, Art. 85)
(see paragraph 46)
5.
Approximation of laws – Lifts – Directive 95/16 – Placing on the market – Essential health and safety requirements – Lift subject to a conformity assessment procedure – Presumption of conformity with those requirements – Not obligatory
(European Parliament and Council Directive 95/16, Arts 4, 5(1) and (2), and 8(2), and Annexes I and V; Commission Decision 2021/534)
(see paragraphs 58-62, 82, 92)
6.
Approximation of laws – Lifts – Directive 95/16 – Placing on the market – Member State using the safeguard clause in case of health or safety risk – Measure prohibiting the placing on the market of a lift model – Examination by the Commission whether that measure is justified – Judicial review – Scope
(European Parliament and Council Directive 95/16, Art. 7(1); Commission Decision 2021/534)
(see paragraphs 63-66, 100)
7.
Approximation of laws – Lifts – Directive 95/16 – Placing on the market – Member State using the safeguard clause in case of health or safety risk – Measure prohibiting the placing on the market of a lift model – Obligation to justify the merits – Burden of proof
(European Parliament and Council Directive 95/16; Commission Decision 2021/534)
(see paragraphs 83, 103, 139)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders the Federal Republic of Germany to bear its own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Commission;
3.
Orders the Kingdom of Spain to bear its own costs.
(
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)	OJ C 338, 23.8.2021.