WRITTEN QUESTION E-4084/00 by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Italian law on the buying, registration and selling of cars.
Date: 2001-01-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU national, Italy, application of EU law, motor car, trade regulations, vehicle registration

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/231

them to pursue their economic policies more easily and gear their economies to the new market
conditions. The EU is often their leading trading partner, sometimes even ahead of the countries of the
former Soviet Union.

The agreements reflect the progress made in the EU(cid:146)s bilateral relations these countries. They reflect the
historical context (transition from the former Soviet Union to independent and modern structures) and the
thoroughgoing changes in the societies of those countries with the switch from a socialist to a market
economy and the adoption of democratic principles (free elections, respect for human rights and the rule
of law). By putting in place a political dialogue, the agreements are thus geared to these conditions and
fulfil this function in countries still in the throes of transition and in which reforms have yet to be
completed or even started. They were designed solely for relations with the new independent states of the
former Soviet Union.

(2001/C 174 E/247)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4084/00

by Lord Inglewood (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Italian law on the buying, registration and selling of cars

Does the European Commission believe that the Italian law governing the buying, registration and selling
of cars complies with EC law, with particular regard to nationals of other EU Member States who are
legally resident there?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2001)

The Commission has looked into issues relating to the car market, with particular regard to State measures
governing the import and registration of new and second-hand cars for private or business use. It has
dealt,
for example, with a complaint concerning the possibility of Community citizens buying and
registering vehicles in Italy without being legally resident in that Member State. The case was resolved
and filed in 2000 after a circular was adopted giving all Community citizens the right to register a car in
Italy under their own name, provided that they have reasonably close ties to the country (for example, if
they own a secondary residence there).

However, the Commission would like to give the fullest possible answer to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s
question, which seems to concern a problem encountered by nationals of other Member States when
buying or registering cars in Italy. To do this, the Commission would need further details concerning legal
provisions, practical difficulties (for example, documents required and compulsory technical inspections),
administrative or fiscal barriers, and any excessive costs, which might exist in this Member State.

(2001/C 174 E/248)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4086/00

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Business Impact Assessments

Bearing in mind that the Commission is responsible for carrying out a Business Impact Assessment on all
of its proposals, given that four Council of Ministers resolutions and a Council decision reaffirm this fact,