84/133/EEC: Council Decision of 2 March 1984 introducing a Community system for the rapid exchange of information on dangers arising from the use of consumer products

COUNCIL  DECISION
of 2 March 1984
introducing a Community system for the rapid exchange of information on dangers arising from the use of consumer products
(84/133/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN
COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas, pursuant to the preliminary programme of the European Economic Community for a consumer protection and information policy (4), goods offered to consumers must be such that under normal or foreseeable conditions of use they present no risk to health or safety of consumers; whereas where such risks exist, suitable measures should be introduced for informing consumers thereof, improving the conditions of use of the goods, or withdrawing them from the market by quick and simple procedures;
Whereas, in cases where it is established that consumer products marketed in the European Economic Community may endanger the health and safety of users in such a way that the rapid implementation of appropriate measures is called for, means should exist for the rapid exchange at Community level of information concerning such products and to this end an organized system should be established;
Whereas an information system of this type would appear necessary in order to attain one of the Community's objectives as regards the protection and information of consumers; whereas since the Treaty makes no provision for the specific powers for the adoption of the Decision, it is necessary to invoke Article 235 thereof;
Whereas consumer products intended exclusively for professional use should be excluded; whereas products which other Community instruments are the subject of equivalent notification procedures should also be excluded;
Whereas, in order to assess the conditions of operation of such an information system, an experiment should be implemented over an initial limited application period;
Whereas, moreover, an advisory committee should be set up under the aegis of the Commission to advise on any problems connected with the administration of the system,