scope:

Although the principle emphasis of the Mandate and the report was 'technical' barriers to trade, discussions outside of the TG meetings with the Commission DG Enterprise, established that the Commission was interested in all barriers to trade including barriers to "use" although it was acknowledged that such barriers could be beyond the scope of CEN harmonisation activities. The Commission also confirmed that the presence of a single national requirement and test method was sufficient grounds for commencing harmonisation procedures since the presence of an existing requirement and test method may create a future barrier to trade scenario - see later. As well as establishing the presence of any true 'technical' barriers to trade, TG 1 therefore also considered that other barriers to trade might exist which may not be under the usual definition of a 'technical barrier'. In particular, TG 1 thought it necessary to investigate indirect technical requirements or barriers to trade that might have an impact on construction products one way or another, especially if due to de facto regulations or national requirements. It was therefore considered relevant and useful to include in the report some examples of the various types of barrier to trade where they may directly impact the 'use' of a construction product in one or more Member States compared to the rest of Europe.