On the 5th of April 2016,the European Commission officially adopted and published its new ‘Blue Guide’ on the implementation of EU product rules – 2016″.

Since the previous Blue Guide was published in 2000, this new version of the Guide will be build on the past edition, but including now new chapters (e.g. chapters on the obligations of economic operators or accreditation) or completely revised chapters (e.g. chapters on standardisation or market surveillance).

This Guide is intended to contribute to a better understanding of EU product rules and to their more uniform and coherent application across different sectors and throughout the single market. It is addressed to the Member States and others stakeholders who need to be informed of the provisions designed to ensure the free circulation of products as well as a high level of protection throughout the Union (e.g. trade and consumer associations, standardisation bodies, manufacturers, importers, distributors, conformity assessment bodies and trade unions).