Council of the European Union and European Parliament 22 June 1998, Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations

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Directive 98/34/EC establishes a transparency procedure requiring Member States to notify the Commission and other Member States of draft technical regulations and national standardisation programmes before adoption, in order to prevent the creation of barriers to the free movement of goods within the internal market. Key provisions impose mandatory standstill periods of three to eighteen months on the adoption of notified draft technical regulations, during which the Commission and Member States may issue detailed opinions or announce the intention to adopt binding Community measures, with limited exceptions for urgent public health or safety measures. The Directive also consolidates and repeals prior instruments, notably Directive 83/189/EEC and its amendments, and establishes a Standing Committee to assist the Commission in monitoring compliance and coordinating standardisation activities.AI