WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2529/98 by Graham MATHER to the Commission. Private imports of American cars to the UK
Date: 1998-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, MATHER
Subjects: EU Member State, United Kingdom, United States, complaint to the Commission, import, motor car, originating product, vehicle registration

C 297/20

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

15.10.1999

In this context the Commission has carefully considered the need to include end of life motorcycles in the
scope of the proposal for a directive on end of life vehicles (1). Motorcycle manufacturers and users have been
duly consulted in this process. In light of,
inter alia, the economic considerations mentioned by the
Honourable Member, the Commission has come to the conclusion that end of life motorcycles should be
excluded from the scope of articles 4 and 7 of the proposal. At the same time the Commission has reached the
conclusion that there is no justification for the exclusion of end of life motorcycles from the other provisions
of the proposal.

(1) OJ C 337, 7.11.1997.

(1999/C 297/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2529/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Private imports of American cars to the UK

Article 30 of the Treaty of Rome states that ‘Quantitative restrictions on imports and all measures having
equivalent effect shall, without prejudice to the following provision, be prohibited between Member States.’

Many owners of American care in the UK believe that this right is being curtailed in their case. They have
complained that under the single vehicle approval scheme, the application of type approval standards prevents
the free movement of American vehicles between Member States. Furthermore, they contend that mutual
recognition provisions are impracticable for those wishing to import a single vehicle and that, in any case, UK
officials are not respecting these provisions.

1.

Is the Commission aware of this situation?

Is the Commission taking any action to investigate this matter and to ensure the free passage of

2.
American cars which comply with EU rules on noise and emissions between Member States?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 1998)

Whenever the Commission receives a complaint backed up by evidence concerning a possible infringement of
Community law by a Member State, it conducts an investigation. As regards the registration of motor vehicles,
it acts in accordance with its interpretative communication on procedures for the type-approval and
registration of vehicles previously registered in another Member State (1).

The Commission has received complaints about UK regulations on single vehicle approval which suggest that
they may contravene Articles 30 and 36 of the EC Treaty.

It is currently liaising with the UK authorities with a view to clarifying the exact scope of the regulations in
question and ascertaining to what extent they are justified.

(1) OJ C 143, 15.5.1996.

(1999/C 297/027)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2541/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Promotion of flower production

Italy is one of Europe’s major flower producers, especially in the areas of San Remo (Liguria) and Santa
Marínella (Lazio). For this reason there are many professional organizations promoting initiatives and activities
connected with the distribution and promotion of Italian products in this sector. Recently there appeared in