The implementation of market surveillance in Europe

Implementation of market surveillance at national level

EU countries must ensure effective surveillance of their markets. They are required to guarantee that:

• products placed on the market are monitored
• the marking and documentation requirements have been respected
• products have been designed and manufactured in accordance with EU harmonisation requirements
• market surveillance authorities have the necessary powers, resources and knowledge to perform their functions
• procedures are put in place for following up complaints and monitoring accidents
• market surveillance programmes are established, implemented and periodically updated
• the functioning of surveillance activities is reviewed and assessed at least every four years

List of national market surveillance authorities

This section provides contact details of national authorities competent for market surveillance in different areas.

List of national market surveillance authorities by sector

List of national market surveillance authorities by EU country

National market surveillance programmes

This section presents the latest market surveillance programmes provided by EU countries pursuant to Article 18(6) of Regulation (EC) 765/2008. The templates for the preparation of national market surveillance programmes are available in all EU languages.

Reviews and assessments of the functioning of market surveillance activities

This section presents Member States' reviews and assessments of the functioning of market surveillance activities carried out for the 2010 to 2013 period. These reports were drafted pursuant to Article 18(6) of Regulation (EC) 765/2008.

A similar exercise ran for the reviews and assessments of the functioning of market surveillance activities carried out for the 2014 to 2016 period.

Information exchange and cooperation at EU level

Effective cross-border cooperation between market surveillance authorities in different EU countries is essential to ensure efficient, comprehensive, and consistent market surveillance.

Regulation (EC) 765/2008, sector specific EU harmonisation legislation aligned to Decision 768/2008/EC, Directive 2001/95/EC and current administrative practice provide tools for the pooling of information and cooperation at EU level. They include:

• Rapid Information System (RAPEX) - an alert system that facilitates the rapid exchange of information among EU countries and the European Commission.
• General information support system – the ICSMS system for information exchange will include best practices, results of joint actions, details of non-compliant products and information on national market surveillance programmes.
• Safeguard procedures - a safeguard procedure which obliges EU countries to communicate any measures they take which restrict the free movement of a product because it presents a risk or is otherwise non-compliant.
• Administrative Co-operation Groups (AdCos) - the Commission facilitates discussions within AdCos composed of market surveillance experts. The purpose is to share information and cooperate on practical matters related to the implementation of EU laws.
• Financing of joint actions – the Commission finances market surveillance activities jointly carried out by national authorities. The final report of the joint project for market surveillance in the field of measuring is published below under 'Support documents on market surveillance'.
• Regular contacts and policy discussions with national representatives in the Expert Group on the Internal Market for Products

Support documents on market surveillance

Legislation

• Regulation (EC) 765/2008
• Decision 768/2008/EC
• Directive 2001/95/EC

Studies, reports and conclusions of expert groups

2018

• Summary of EU Member States and EEA EFTA States' assessment and review of the functioning of market surveillance activities according to article 18(6) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 for the period 2014-2016
• Final report: Joint action on machinery (chain-saws and vehicle lifts)

2016

• Final report: A joint project for market surveillance in the field of measuring instruments
• Guidance on cross-border cooperation among EU market surveillance authorities (390 kB)
• EU general risk assessment methodology (Action 5 of the Multi-Annual Action Plan for the surveillance of products in the EU) (1 MB)
• Summary (3 MB) of Member States' assessment and review of the functioning of market surveillance activities according to Article 18(6) of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 (2010-2013 period)

2015

• Good practices market surveillance activities related to non-food consumer products sold online: Report (728 kB) / Annex (911 kB)