HC Deb 20 November 1986 vol 105 cc278-9W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement outlining the non-tariff barriers which have been placed by European Economic Community members on the import of domestic appliances from the United Kingdom; which of these various non-tariff barriers relate to the noise emitted by domestic appliances; and what representations he has received from British manufacturers of domestic appliances about the problems created for them in exporting to Europe in consequence of these non-tariff barriers to trade.

Mr. Butcher

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the European Community documents on the noise emitted by domestic appliances apply only to appliances motivated by electric power; and whether they apply in any way to battery or hand powered appliances.

Mr. Butcher

The proposed directive does not apply only to electrically powered appliances. The question of limiting the scope to cover only electric household appliances was discussed during negotiations, but the general consensus was that the power source should not be specified thereby allowing for any household appliance to benefit from the directive.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement outlining the manner in which non-EEC producers of lawnmowers and domestic appliances will be able to have their products tested in the new testing stations established under the appropriate directives; and how he plans to fulfil his responsibilities for periodic inspection of lawnmower production under article 7 of the Lawnmowers (Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) Regulations in non-EEC countries.

Mr. Butcher

For ease of reference I shall answer this question, which relates to both the lawnmower regulations and the draft noise labelling of domestic appliances directive under the separate headings.

(a.) Lawnmowers: Manufacturers or importers, irrespective of whether they are from EEC or non-EEC countries, can apply to one of any of the listed laboratories in any member state for the necessary tests to be carried out.

In respect to the question as to how we plan to fulfil our obligation for periodic inspections, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 6 November 1986, at columns 560–1.

(b.) Domestic Appliances: The proposed directive on noise labelling of domestic appliances does not envisage the appointment of test organisations. Manufacturers or importers shall be responsible for supplying the information on airborne noise required on the labels when so requested by member states (the United Kingdom will not make noise labelling of domestic appliances mandatory and will not therefore be requesting this information) or if the manufacturer or importer for commercial reasons wants to give it.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Lawnmowers (Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) Regulations are designed to curb the import of lawnmowers from non-European Economic Community countries; and if he has consulted the general agreement on tariffs and trade organisation on whether the regulations are consistent with the United Kingdom's obligations to that organisation.

Mr. Butcher

The regulations arise from our requirement to implement EC directive 84/538/EEC. This directive removes those technical barriers to trade between member states which arise from different member states rules on noise levels. It is not the intention of this directive to curb imports from non-EEC countries.

Because these regulations implement an EEC directive it was for the Commission on behalf of all member states to notify GATT under its normal GATT obligations; the United Kingdom does not therefore have to take any further action.