European union decision-making, third states and comitology

International and Comparative Law Quarterly

Volumn 47, Issue 2, 1998, Pages 257-277

  Evans, Andrew ^a  

^a NONE

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EID: 0041878200     PISSN: 00205893     EISSN: 14716895     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1017/S0020589300061856     Document Type: Article

References (146)

1. Infra Part II.
2. See, generally, A. Evans, Textbook on EU Law (1998).
3. See e.g. the references to the Artl89c procedure in Art.130w(l) and to the Art.189b procedure in Art l30i(l) EC
4. Case 26/62, N. V. A Iganene Transport- en Expeditie Ondememing van Gend en Loos v. Nedelandse Administrate der Belastmgen [1963] E.C.R. 1,12.
5. N. MacCormick and O. Weinberger, An Institutional Theory of Law (1986), p.10.
6. Ct the distinction between the “decisional” and the “normative” in J. H. H. Weiler, “Community, Member States and European Integration: Is the Law Relevant?” (1982–1983) J.C.M.S.39,41.
7. Such representation derives from performance by the State of what J. Habermas, Communication and the Evolution of Society (1979), pp.178 et seq. calls “legitimation” functions.
8. See the examples studied in J.-M. Sun and J. Pelkmans, “Regulatory Competition in the Single Market” (1995) J.C.M.S. 567–589.
9. See, regarding their real “complementarity”, Habermas, J.C.M.S.
10. See, generally, K. St Clair Bradley, “Comitology and the Law: Through a Glass Darkly” (1992) 29 C.M.L.Rev. 693–721.
11. See e.g. Case 53/80, Offider van Justine v. Koninklijke Kaasfabriek Eyssen B V [1981] E.C.R. 409.
12. Advocate General Dutheillet de Lamothe in Case 13/70, Francesco Cinzano & Cia GmbH v. Hauptzollamt Saarbrücken [1970] E.C.R. 1089,1103.
13. “If the Community were to be recognized as having exclusive competence to enter into agreements with non-member countries to harmonize the protection of intellectual property and, at the same time, to achieve harmonization at Community level, the Community institutions would be able to escape the internal constraints to which they are subject in relation to procedures and to rules as to voting” (Opinion 1/94, International Agreements on Services and the Protection of Industrial Property [1994] E.C.R. 1–5267,5406).
14. A. Evans, The Integration of the European Community and Third States in Europe: A Legal Analysis (1996).
15. European Free Trade Association.
16. (1994) O.J. Ll/3.
17. See, generally, A. Evans, Law of the European Community, Including the EEA Agreement (1994).
18. To imagine otherwise would, according to Advocate General Warner in Case 51/75, EMI Records Ltd v. CBS United Kingdom Ltd [1976] E.C.R. 811, 861, be “heretical”.
19. Though differentiated operation is not inevitable. See e.g., regarding the concept of social security, Case C-18/90, Office National del'Emploi (ONEM) v. Bahia Kziber [1991] E.C.R. 1–199,227.
20. Case 26/62, van Gend en Loos, E.C.R.
21. Case 6/64, Flaminio Costa v. ENEL [1964] E.C.R. 585,593.
22. This conceptualisation is consistent with the “classical” idea of treaty-making as an exercise of sovereignty (Customs Regime between Germany and Austria (1931) P.C.I.J. Ser.A/B, No.41).
23. Cf. the distinction between “derivative” and “original” personality in P. Hay, Federalism and Supranational Organisations (1966), pp.23–26.
24. I.e. the EEC (now EC) Treaty, ECSC Treaty, Euratom Treaty, and Treaty on European Union (TEU).
25. See now ArtN TEU.
26. Commission President Delors (EP Debs No3–385, 111, 17 Jan. 1990).
27. According to an earlier formulation of the principle, only member States could “exert an effective influence on the life of the Community”. See Opinion on Problems Raised by Applications for Membership from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Norway, E.C. Bull, Supp. 4/68, p.9.
28. Cf. Opinion 1/76, European Laying-up Fund for Inland Waterway Vessels [1977] E.G.R.741,759.
29. At the same time, “unity in the international representation of the Community” is sought See Opinion 2/91, ILO Convention 170 concerning safety in the use of chemicals at work [1993] E.C.R. 1–1061.
30. Relations Between the Community and EFTA, House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities, HL (1989–1990) 55–2, p. 144.
31. According to Case 208/80, Rt Hon. Lord Bruce of Donington v. Eric Gordon Aspden [1981] E.C.R. 2205,2219, Art.5 entails for member States a “duty not to take measures which are likely to interfere with the internal functioning of the institutions of the Community”.
32. Opinion 1/76, E.C.R., at p.758.
33. See e.g. Arts.3(b) and 113 EC, in connection with the common conimercial policy.
34. See e.g. Arts. 104 and 106(2) of the Europe Agreement with Poland (1993) O.J. L348/2
35. and Arts.90(2) and 93(2) EEA (1994) O.J. L173.
36. Reply by Mr Delors to WQ E-260/93 ((1994) O.J. C352/1) by Anita Pollack.
37. Case C-192/89, S.Z. Sevince v. Staatssecretaris van Justitie [1990] E.C.R. 1–3461,3502
38. and Case 285/95, Sum Kol v. Land Berlin [1997] E.C.R 1–3069.
39. Art.7 EEA (1994) O.J. Ll/3.
40. D. Kennedy and D. E. Webb, “The Limits of Integration: Eastern Europe and the European Communities” (1993) 30 C.M.L.Rev. 1095–1117.
41. A Strategy to Prepare for the Accession of the Associated CCEE, E.U.Bull 12–1994, L39.
42. Arts.102,105 and 106 EEA.
43. Ct, regarding the formal relationship between Arts. 30 and 100 EC, Case 193/80, EC Commission v. Italy [1981] E.C.R. 3019,3033.
44. See e.g., regarding the relationship between hannonisation under Art.l00a EC and under Art.30r EC, Case C-300/89, EC Commission v. EC Council [1991] E.C.R. 1–2867.
45. 6th recital See also Art.3(f) EC
46. Art 73b EC goes further. It seeks, in principle, the same liberalisation of capital movement between member States and third States as that applying within the Union. Cf. Art7 of Dir.88/361 ((1988) O.J. L178/5) for the implementation of Art67 EC. To the extent that investment rules are liberal, regional agreements are regarded as more likely to be compatible with a liberal multilateral system.
47. See A. Fishlow and S. Haggard, The United States and the Regionalisation of the World Economy (1992).
48. However, other provisions of the Treaty permit special restrictions on capital movements between the Union and third States. See Arts.73c, 73f and 73g EC
49. See, generally, Opinion 1/91. Draft Agreement between the Community and the EFTA States relating to the Creation of the EEA [1991] E.C.R. 1–6079.
50. See e.g. Arts.9 and 10 of the Europe Agreement with Poland.
51. Dec.96/413 (1996) O.J. L167/55 on the implementation of a Community action programme to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry.
52. Case 120/78, Rewe-Zentral AC v. Bundesmonopolverwatung für Branntwein [1979] E.C.R.649.
53. Cf. H. Siebert and M. J. Koop, “Institutional Competition: a Concept for Europe” (1990) Aussenwirtschaft 439–462
54. regarding the opening up of regulation within member States consequent upon judgments such as that in Rewe-Zentral (Aussenwirtschaft).
55. The approach of the ECJ may be viewed in terms of a “pairing” or “matching” of “substance” (Le. trade liberalisation requirements) and “structure” (i.e. institutional participation). See T. Cottier, “Constitutional Trade Regulation in National and International Law: Structure-Substance Pairings in the EFTA Experience”, in M. Hilf and E.-U. Peters-mann (Eds), National Constitutions and International Economic Law (1993), p.409 at p.423.
56. Sec e.g. Case 104/81, Hauptzollamt Mainz v. C.A. Kupferberg & Cie K.G. [1982] E.C.R. 3641,3669.
57. See e.g. Case 270/80, Polydor Ltd and RSO Records Inc. v. Harlequin Record Shops Ltd and Simon Records Ltd [1982] E.C.R. 329. CL, regarding fiscal regulations.
58. Advocate General Rozes in Case 104/81, Hauptzollamt Mainz, idem, p.3676.
59. Report from the Council to the Essen European Council on a strategy to prepare for the accession of the associated CCEE, E.U. Bull 12–1994,139.
60. Conversely, “associating the Commission on a voluntary basis with decision shaping” by authorities of Central and Eastern European countries is envisaged. See Preparation of the Associated Countries of Central and Eastern Europe for Integration into the Internal Market of the Union COM(95)163, Annex, p.51.
61. Kennedy and Webb, COM.
62. A. Evans, “Voluntary Harmonization in Integration between the European Community and Eastern Europe” (1997) E.L.R. 201–220.
63. See, generally, C. Harlow, “A Community of Interests? Making the Most of European Law” (1992) M.L.R. 331–350.
64. Sun and Pelkmans, M.L.R.
65. See e.g. M. Schiess L EG-kartellrechtliche Anforderungen an die europaumlischen Nor-mungsorganisationen (1995), pp. 19–22. However, where third States are full members of such bodies, the voting rights of their experts may only be limited in the sense that a failure by the membership as a whole to agree on a standard may allow experts from member States to agree a standard amongst themselves. Such arrangements may, therefore, offer a possible model for general application to decision making pursuant to agreements between the Union and third States.
66. Opportunities for participation by non-European States are limited, though contacts between European bodies and international bodies, such as ISO and IEC, are developing. See House of Representatives Committee on Small Business, European Community Approach to Testing and Certification: Should the US Government Play a Role? (Serial No. 101–56, Washington, 1990).
67. Technical harmonization and standards-, a new approach (COM(85)19)
68. and the Council Res. of 7 May 1985 (1985) O.J. CI36/1 on a new approach to technical harmonisation and standards.
69. See, generally, R. Hayder, “Neue Wege der europaischen Rechtsanglekhung?” (1989) Rabels Zeitschrift für ausländisches und Internationales Privatrecht 622–698.
70. On the approximation of the laws of the member States concerning the safety of toys (1988) O.J. L187/1.
71. Dir.83/189 ((1983) O.J. L109/8) laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations.
72. The legality of such an approach was accepted in Case 815/79, Pretura Penale di Domo v. G. Cremonini and M.L. Vrankovich [1980] E.C.R. 3583.
73. (1969) O.J. C76/1.
74. On the harmonisation of the laws of member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (1973) O.J. L77/29.
75. UN Conference on Trade and Development, Common European Economic Space (1991), p.5. Cf. the agreements between the “social partners” envisaged in Art. 118b EC
76. Though financial aid is provided by the Union. See Council Res. of 18 June 1992 (1992) O.J. CI73/1 on the role of European standardisation in the European economy.
77. See also the Commission Communication on standardisation in the European economy (1992) O.J.C96/2.
78. M. Andrieu, “La Normalisation européenne instrument du cohésion” (1992) R.M.C 627–630.
79. The Commission Communication on the development of European standardisation (1991) O.J. C20/1 highlighted the strategic importance of standardisation for the European market.
80. K. H. Ladeur, “European Community Institutional Reforms: Extra-National Management as an Alternative Model to Federalism” (1990/1992) Legal Issues of European Integration 1,10.
81. Cf. G. Koopman and H.-E. Scharrer, Scenarios of a Common External Trade Policy for the EC after 1992 (1990), p 30.
82. W. Wallace, The Transformation of Western Europe (1990), p.89.
83. See e.g. Art.74 of the Europe Agreement with Poland (1993) O.J. L348/2.
84. See also COM(95)163
85. O.J., Annex, at p.13.
86. Commission Communication, O.J.
87. See e.g. the Supplementary Agreement between National Bureaux ((1973) O.J. L87/ 15) regarding car insurance.
88. Case 152/83, Marcel Demouche v. Fonds de Garantie A utomobile and Bureaux Central Français [1987] E.C.R. 3833,3852–3853.
89. Cf. Joined Cases 87 and 130/77,22/83,9 and 10/84, Vittorio Salerno v. EC Commission and EC Council [1985] E.C.R. 2523,2538, regarding the European Association for Cooperation.
90. See e.g. Standardiseringens roll i EFTA/EG-samarbetet, SOU 1989:45,60.
91. See e.g. the position of the Swedish Environment Party (Sverige och den västeuro-peiska integrationen, prop. 1988/89:19,28).
92. Commission Communication, Sverige och den västeuro-peiska integrationen.
93. Cf. in the insurance field Dec.74/166 (1974) O.J. L87/13, Fust Commission Decision relating to the application of Dir.72/166 on the approximation of the laws of the member States relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, and to the enforcement of the obligation to insure against such liability
94. and Dec.74/167 (1974) O.J. L87/15, Second Commission Decision relating to the application of Dir.72/166.
95. European Report 1485 (5 Apr. 1989).
96. See e.g. Svenska Dagbladet, 21 Jury 1991.
97. Europe and the Challenge of Enlargement, E.C. Bull, Supp. 3/92, pp. 18–19.
98. Financial Times, 23 Nov. 1989 and 23 Mar. 1990.
99. Resolution of 14 Dec 1989 (1990) O.J. C15/336 on relations between the EC and the EFTA States.
100. Relations between the Community and the Council of Europe, COM(89)124, p 3.
101. Committee of Permanent Representatives.
102. Cf. the suggestions made in the Swedish government memorandum of 6 Sept 1971 presented to the Commistion during negotiation of a free trade agreement (1972) O.J. L300/96.
103. The memorandum is reproduced in Annex 3 to D. Viklund, Spelet om Frihandels-avtalet (1977).
104. Spelet om Frihandels-avtalet
105. Case C-25/94, EC Commission v. EC Council: FAO Agreement [1996] E.C.R. 1–1469, 1505.
106. Agreed Minute ad Art.91 EEA (1994) O.J. Ll/3.
107. A Strategy to Prepare, O.J.
108. Mutual Information Procedures and Comitology concerning Community Decisions (Europe 5356,24 Oct 1990).
109. Europe 5221,24 Mar. 1990.
110. Res. of 5 Apr. 1990 (1990) O.J. CI 13/172 on relations between the EEC and EFT A, para.5 and Res. of 12 June 1990
111. (1990) O.J. C175/51 on economic and trade relations between the EC and the EFTA countries, para. 10.
112. See e.g. Redovisning av det svenska integrationsarbetet våren 1988-mars 1989 (Stockholm, 1989), p 37.
113. Sverige-EFTA-EG 19S7 (Stockholm, 1988), p.24.
114. Idem, p 35.
115. Cf. Opinion 1/91, Idem.
116. Follow Up to “The Europe Agreements and beyond: a strategy to prepare the countries of Central and Eastern Europe for accession”, COM(94)361, p 5.
117. (1993) O.J. L347/2.
118. Annex II to the Hungarian-EC Association Council Dec.l/94 ((1994) O.J. L242/23) on its Rules of Procedure.
119. Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee of 25 Jan. 1995 ((1995) O.J. C102/40) on relations between the EU and Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, paraj.25.
120. Dec.87/373 (1987) O.J. L197/33 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.
121. House of Lords Select Committee, O.J., at p.26.
122. (1964) O.J. 368.
123. Artl of Dec.5/95 (1996) O.J. L35/49 of the EC-Turkey Association Council on the arrangements for involving Turkish experts in certain technical committees.
124. Annex to Dec.l/95 (1996) O.J. L35/1 of the EC-Turkey Association Council implementing the final phase of the customs union.
125. Art.3 of Dec.5/95 (1996) O.J. L35/49.
126. Dec.94/1110 (1994) O.J. L12674 concerning the fourth framework programme of the EC activities in the field of research and technological development and demonstration (1994–98).
127. Opinion of the Committee on Budgets in the Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security on the conclusion of the EEA Agreement, EP Doc.3–0316/92, Annex I, p.10.
128. I.e. the Commission and the EFTA Surveillance Authority.
129. Sec, regarding problems of constitutionality, A. Evans, “Institutions of the European Communities Other than the Court of Justice”, in Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia of the Laws of Scotland, Vol.10 (1990), p.132 at pp.168–169.
130. See e.g. Dec.96/339 (1996) O.J. L129/24 adopting a multiannual Community programme to stimulate the development of a European multimedia content industry and to encourage the use of multimedia content in the emerging information society (INFO 2000).
131. See also Dec.96/413 (1996) O.J. L167/55 on the implementation of a Community action programme to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry.
132. Cf, regarding the political context in which the Van Gend en Loos ruling was delivered, Evans, O.J., at p.144, n 3.
133. Opinion 1794, International Agreements on Services and the Protection of International Property [1994] E.C.R. 1–5267,5406.
134. See e.g. the Res. of the Parliament (1986) O.J. C227/54
135. proposing amendments to what became Dec.87/373 (1987) O.J. L197/33
136. and regarding the need for transparency, the Res. of the European Parliament of 10 Dec 1996 (1997) O.J. C20/31 on participation of citizens and social players in the EU's institutional system and the IOC, para.19.
137. It provides no basis for the stable balance in positive law between centrifugal and centripetal tendencies sought by some writers. See e.g. R. Rivello, “II Ruolo delle regioni nel diritto comunitario e nel diritto intemazionale: considerazioni sulla normative vigente e sui progetti di revisione costituzionale” (1995) Diritto Comunitario e degli Scambi Intemazion-ali 255–308.
138. C. De Visscher, Theory and Reality in Public International Law (1957), p. 105.
139. See, regarding these assumptions and their invalidation, R. J. Harrison, Europe in Question: Theories of Regional International Integration (1974), p 34.
140. Integration can be measured not by the strength of the centre but by the whole framework (M. Cappelletti et al. Integration Through Law (1986), Vol.1, bk.1, p.14).
141. Annex II to the Conclusions of the Presidency (E.C. Bull 6–1993, I.26) at the June 1993 meetings of the European Council.
142. Europe Agreements and beyond: a strategy to prepare the countries of Central and East-em Europe for accession, COM(94)320, p 2.
143. Kennedy and Webb, COM, at p.1109.
144. J. Weiler, “The Transformation of Europe” (1991) 100 Yale L.J. 2403,2473.
145. Yale L.J.
146. See, generally, Evans, Yale L.J.