Criminal proceedings against Cooperatieve Zuivelindustrie "Twee Provincien" WA. (Approximation of laws) [1993] EUECJ C-285/92 (17 November 1993)

Criminal proceedings against Cooperatieve Zuivelindustrie "Twee Provincien" WA. (Approximation of laws) [1993] EUECJ C-285/92 (17 November 1993)

A national cheese mark comprising particulars of the country of production, type of cheese, regional letters, serial number, and letter/number combinations does not constitute 'labelling' within the meaning of Article 1(3)(a) of Directive 79/112/EEC and therefore does not fall within its scope.

Citation
[1993] EUECJ C-285/92
Parties
Accused: Officers of Cooeperatieve Zuivelindustrie 'Twee Provinciën' WA; Referring Court: Arrondissementsrechtbank, Leeuwarden
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
17 November 1993
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Ruling (article 177 Eec) / Reference for Preliminary Ruling From National Court
Outcome
Preliminary ruling issued; national cheese mark with regional codes is not 'labelling' under Directive 79/112/EEC.
Legal Topics
Labelling of Foodstuffs, Interpretation of Directive 79/112/eec, National Quality Control Marks
European Union Law Food Law Labelling of Foodstuffs Interpretation of Directive 79/112/eec National Quality Control Marks

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Parties

Officers of Cooeperatieve Zuivelindustrie 'Twee Provinciën' WA

Accused

Arrondissementsrechtbank, Leeuwarden

Referring Court

Procedural Posture

Preliminary Ruling (article 177 Eec) / Reference for Preliminary Ruling From National Court

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether a national cheese mark including regional codes constitutes 'labelling' under Directive 79/112/EEC Article 1(3)(a)
  2. 2 Whether such national requirements are precluded by Directive 79/112/EEC

Ratio Decidendi

A national cheese mark comprising particulars of the country of production, type of cheese, regional letters, serial number, and letter/number combinations does not constitute 'labelling' within the meaning of Article 1(3)(a) of Directive 79/112/EEC and therefore does not fall within its scope.

Court Disposition

Preliminary ruling issued; national cheese mark with regional codes is not 'labelling' under Directive 79/112/EEC.

Orders

  • Directive 79/112/EEC does not preclude national measures requiring such cheese marks.