About the PCP
The Product Contact Point (PCP) is a free information service intended for economic operators or competent authorities in other EU Member States who wish to obtain, in a fair and transparent way, information on the application of specific national technical rules to products legally marketed in another EU Member State.
Services Provided by the PCP
The PCP, established to facilitate the free movement of goods, contributes to the objective of strengthening the functioning of the internal market.
In particular, the PCP provides information on national technical regulations and on the application of the principle of mutual recognition, as set out in Regulation (EU) No 515/2019. The principle of mutual recognition originates from the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Under this principle, Member States may not prohibit the sale on their territory of goods lawfully marketed in another Member State, even if such goods—including those that are not the result of a manufacturing process—have been produced in accordance with different technical standards.
Member States may, however, restrict the placing on the market of goods lawfully marketed in another Member State, provided that such restrictions are justified on the grounds set out in Article 36 of the TFEU or on the basis of other overriding reasons of general interest recognized by the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union in relation to the free movement of goods, and provided that such restrictions are proportionate to the objective pursued. In such a case, the competent national authority shall contact the economic operator concerned and inform them of the assessment referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 515/2019, indicating the goods subject to such assessment and specifying the applicable national technical rule or prior authorization procedure.
Following the assessment procedure referred to in Article 5, the competent Authority issues an administrative decision.
The PCP also provides information regarding:
- the direct contact details of the competent national Authorities, including those of the Authorities responsible for overseeing the application of the national technical rules in force within the territory of the Member State;
- the means of appeal and procedures available within the national territory in the event of disputes between the competent authority and an economic operator.
Upon request from an economic operator or a competent Authority of another Member State, the Product Contact Point shall also provide electronic copies of the national technical regulations and administrative procedures applicable to specific goods or a specific type of goods within its territory, or online access to such regulations and procedures, as well as information on whether such goods, or goods of that type, are subject to prior authorization under national law.
How to Access the Service
Requests for information must be sent to the PCP via email to the dedicated institutional email address:
Contact Information of Administrations
Response times
The Product Contact Point provides a response within 15 working days from receipt of the request.
In the event that additional information or clarification is required, or where the request is particularly complex and requires further examination, the PCP shall notify the applicant of the new deadline within 15 days from receipt of the request.
Legal Protection Against Disputes
In the event of a dispute between the competent authorities of the Member States and the economic operator, the economic operator may bring the case before the administrative courts by filing a complaint with the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) with jurisdiction over the relevant territory (click here for a list of TARs).
Alternatively, the economic operator may use the “Solvit procedure” referred to in Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No. 515/2019. In Italy, the Solvit Center operates through the Presidency of the Council of Ministers – Department for European Policies (DPE), email:
Contact Point for Regulation (EU) 2023/988
The Contact Point also provides specific information regarding the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2023/988 at the national level and national rules on general product safety.
Regulations
- Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 25, 2012, on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System and repealing Commission Decision 2008/49/EC.
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 2, 2018, establishing a single digital gateway for access to information, procedures, and assistance and problem-solving services, and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012.
- Regulation (EU) 2019/515 of the European Parliament and of the Council of March 19, 2019, on the mutual recognition of goods lawfully marketed in another Member State and repealing Regulation (EC) No 764/2008.
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 20, 2019, on market surveillance and product conformity and amending Directive 2004/42/EC and Regulations (EC) No 765/2008 and (EU) No 305/2011.
- Regulation (EU) 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of March 9, 2011, laying down harmonized conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC.
- Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council of May 10, 2023, on general product safety, amending Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 87/357/EEC.
Each product sheet contains:
- applicable Italian regulations
- competent Administrations’ contact details
- useful information
This page is part of the European Commission’s Your Europe portal.
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