Commission of the European Communities v Kingdom of Belgium. [1989] EUECJ C-52/88 (11 May 1989)

Commission of the European Communities v Kingdom of Belgium. [1989] EUECJ C-52/88 (11 May 1989)

Belgium's prohibition is not justified as the objectives of consumer protection and fairness of commercial transactions can be attained by less restrictive measures, thus violating Article 30 of the EEC Treaty.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1989] EUECJ C-52/88
Parties
Applicant: Commission of the European Communities; Defendant: Kingdom of Belgium
Jurisdiction
European Union
Procedural Posture
Infringement Proceedings / Final Judgment
Outcome
Declaration of infringement against Belgium
Legal Topics
Quantitative Restrictions, Measures Having Equivalent Effect, Consumer Protection, Fairness of Commercial Transactions
European Union Law Free Movement of Goods Quantitative Restrictions Measures Having Equivalent Effect Consumer Protection Fairness of Commercial Transactions

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Commission of the European Communities

Applicant

Kingdom of Belgium

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Infringement Proceedings / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether Belgium's prohibition on the sale of meat products containing more than a given quantity of edible gelatine violates Article 30 of the EEC Treaty
  2. 2 Whether such prohibition can be justified by consumer protection or fairness of commercial transactions

Ratio Decidendi

Belgium's prohibition is not justified as the objectives of consumer protection and fairness of commercial transactions can be attained by less restrictive measures, thus violating Article 30 of the EEC Treaty.

Court Disposition

Declaration of infringement against Belgium

Orders

  • Belgium failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 30 of the EEC Treaty
  • Belgium ordered to pay the costs