Legislative News

BILATERAL SCREENING MEETING FOR CHAPTER 1- FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS HELD

Meeting of the bilateral screening for negotiating Chapter 1 - Free movement of goods was held in Brussels between 9th and 12th September 2014, was attended by representatives of relevant institutions and led by representatives of institutions in charge - Ministry of Economy and European Integration Office.

Delegation of the Government of the Republic of Serbia was headed by Ms. Tanja Miščević, Head of Negotiating Team with the EU and Jelena Popovic, assistant of the Minister of Economy and deputy chairman of Negotiating Group 1 (NG 1). Beside representatives of Ministry of Economy Serbian delegation was comprised of representatives from: Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Ministry of Transportation, Construction and Infrastructure, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Energy and Mining, Ministry of Culture and Information, Ministry of Defence, Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL), Road Traffic Safety Agency, Institute for standardization of Serbia, Accreditation Body of Serbia, Directorate for Measures and Precious Metals and European Integration Office.

                During previously held explanatory meeting in Brussels between 17th and 20th Jun 2014, level of compliance of national legislation with the EU acquis in the field of free movement of goods was presented to the representatives of European Commission from Directorate General for the Enlargement and Directorate General for Enterprise.

                During the four-day meeting, delegation of the Republic of Serbia presented the most important legislation and institutional framework in the field of:

  1. General principles: Free movement of goods
  2. Conformity assessment
  3. Accreditation
  4. Metrology
  5. Market Surveillance
  6. Free movement of goods in non-harmonized area
  7. Standardization
  8.  Machinery Safety
  9. Lifts
  10. Construction products
  11. Ecodesign and energetic efficiency
  12. Equipment and protective systems for potentially explosive atmosphere
  13. Cableways
  14. Recreational craft
  15. Personal protective equipment
  16. Pressure equipment 
  17. Simple pressure vessels and gas appliances
  18. Noise emissions by equipment for use outdoors
  19. Electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits
  20. Electromagnetic compatibility
  21. Radio equipment and telecommunication terminal equipment
  22. Civil Explosives and pyrotechnics
  23. Detergents
  24. Precursors
  25. Fertilisers
  26. Agricultural tractors, motor vehicles, motorcycles and non-road mobile machinery emissions
  27. Good laboratory practice
  28. Chemicals (REACH)
  29. Chemicals (CLP)
  30. Toys safety
  31. Notification of technical regulation
  32. Transfer of defence-related product
  33. Firearms
  34. Pricing and reimbursement conditions for medicinal products
  35. Crystal glass
  36. Textile
  37. Footwear
  38. Cultural objects return

                Presentations of members of Serbian delegation are the beginning of the assessment of the level of compliance of Serbian legal system with the legislation of European Union, as well as the determination what have to be done to achieve full harmonization with EU acquis.

                Beside the exposures and presentations, members of Serbian delegation submitted answers and other relevant materials to the European Commission, based on which European Commission will prepare screening report. The screening report will be submitted during November or at the beginning of December, with the assessment of the level of compliance of Serbian legislation with the EU acquis. Based on this report Council will adopt Screening result. If it is estimated that the Republic of Serbia reached sufficient level of compliance, negotiations on Chapter 1- Free movement of goods will begin.

                The meeting was excellently prepared by the Ministry of Economy, which was pointed out by the Representatives of Directorate-General for Enlargement and Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry. They also emphasised the importance of Chapter 1 which also the most demanding Chapter.

                Assistant Minister also stressed the importance of this Chapter, because implementation of legislation in this area is one of the most important preconditions for increasing the level of competitiveness of Serbian products and facilitating trade and cooperation between business entities from Serbia and EU, within European single market.

                Representatives of relevant institutions from Republic of Serbia made important contacts with the experts of European Commission. They are invited to take part in the work of Working groups and other expert bodies engaged in the implementation of legislation and its revisions, (either regarding horizontal issues, or legislation defining specific groups of products). 

                Participants agreed about the further timetable and defined further activities, regarding final assessment of European Commission on the level of harmonization of Serbian legislation in this area, and regarding the deadline for submission of the Screening report.

                 At the end of the meeting Republic of Serbia stated that accepts EU acquis in Chapter 1 and will be ready to implement it fully with use of transitional periods in certain areas, which will be subject of negotiations.