Council Directive 88/314/EEC of 7 June 1988 on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of non-food products

COUNCIL  DIRECTIVE
of 7 June 1988
on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of non-food products
(88/314/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas the programmes of the Community for a consumer protection and information policy (4) provide for the establishment of common principles for indicating prices;
Whereas Council Directive 79/581/EEC of 19 June 1979 on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of foodstuffs (5) makes it compulsory to indicate the prices of foodstuffs; whereas the Council resolution of 19 June 1979 on the indication of the prices of foodstuffs and non-food household products pre-packaged in pre-established quantities (6) invites the Commission to submit a proposal concerning the indication of the selling price and the unit price for non-food household products;
Whereas it is important to adopt measures with the aim of progressively establishing the internal market over a period expiring on 31 December 1992 at the latest;
Whereas indication of the selling price and the unit price of non-food products makes it easier for consumers to compare prices at places of sale; whereas it accordingly increases market transparency and ensures greater protection for consumers;
Whereas the obligation to indicate these prices must apply in principle to all non-food products offered to the final consumer; whereas this obligation must also apply to written or printed advertising and catalogues wherever these give the selling prices of the products;
Whereas the selling price and the unit price must be indicated in accordance with specific procedures for each category of products so as not to place an undue burden on the retailer as regards labelling;
Whereas the obligation to indicate the unit price may be waived by Member States for products in respect of which such indication would meaningless;
Whereas, in the case of pre-packaged products, the obligation to indicate the unit price should, wherever possible, be replaced by standardization of quantities; whereas account should be taken of the progress made as regards the standardization at Community level of quantity ranges for products pre-packaged in pre-established quantities and provision should therefore be made for the exemption of ranges of quantities so standardized;
Whereas Council Directive 80/232/EEC (7), as last amended by Directive 87/356/EEC (8), lays down the ranges of nominal quantities and nominal capacities permitted for certain pre-packaged products;
Whereas the rules laid down in this Directive are aimed at informing and protecting consumers,