§ Mrs. Jill Knightasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to end different labelling requirements, national dimensional standards, national certification standards, health and safety regulations and other non-tariff barriers operating against British manufacturers seeking to export to Europe.
§ Mr. FletcherThe Government fully recognise the difficulties which can face United Kingdom exporters to Europe as a result of non-tariff barriers within the Community. The Government are pressing for the removal of non-tariff barriers to trade. Complete deregulation is not practicable; Governments of all member states need to maintain essential safeguards for the protection of consumers and employees.
The Government have therefore supported common solutions to the problems for intra-Community trade caused by differing national standards. In particular the Council of Ministers agreed in July 1984 the guidelines for a new Community standards policy to speed up the achievement of common solutions and improve mutual recognition of national standards. The Government will press for early and satisfactory implementation of those guidelines.
Outside the Community, the Government plays its full part in international fora, such as the GATT, UN 169W Economic Commission for Europe, which seek to facilitate international trade by basing technical regulations on internationally agreed standards.