Sterbenz (Approximation of laws) [2003] EUECJ C-426/00 (23 January 2003)

Sterbenz (Approximation of laws) [2003] EUECJ C-426/00 (23 January 2003)

Articles 2(1)(b) and 15(1) and (2) of Directive 79/112 preclude a national system imposing a general prohibition, subject to prior authorisation, of all health-related information on food labelling and presentation, as such a system is more restrictive than the directive, disproportionate, and not justified by consumer protection or prevention of fraud.

Citation
[2003] EUECJ C-426/00
Parties
Defendant: Ms Sterbenz; Defendant: Mr Haug; Company Represented by Ms Sterbenz: Biodiät Erzeugung und Vertrieb GmbH; Company Represented by Mr Haug: Renatura Naturheilmittel GmbH; Prosecutor: Bürgermeister der Landeshauptstadt Klagenfurt; Prosecutor: Magistrat der Stadt Wien; Referring Court: Unabhängiger Verwaltungssenat für Kärnten; Referring Court: Unabhängiger Verwaltungssenat Wien; Referring Court: Verwaltungsgerichtshof; Intervener: Austrian Government; Intervener: European Commission
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
23 January 2003
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Reference (joined Cases C 421/00, C 426/00, C 16/01) / Judgment on Preliminary Questions
Outcome
Preliminary ruling: National legislation imposing a general prohibition, subject to prior authorisation, of health-related information on food labelling is precluded by Directive 79/112.
Legal Topics
Labelling of Foodstuffs, Free Movement of Goods, Consumer Protection, Prior Authorisation Systems, Misleading Advertising
European Union Law Food Law Administrative Law Labelling of Foodstuffs Free Movement of Goods Consumer Protection Prior Authorisation Systems Misleading Advertising

Case Brief

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Parties

Ms Sterbenz

Defendant

Mr Haug

Defendant

Biodiät Erzeugung und Vertrieb GmbH

Company Represented by Ms Sterbenz

Renatura Naturheilmittel GmbH

Company Represented by Mr Haug

Bürgermeister der Landeshauptstadt Klagenfurt

Prosecutor

Magistrat der Stadt Wien

Prosecutor

Unabhängiger Verwaltungssenat für Kärnten

Referring Court

Unabhängiger Verwaltungssenat Wien

Referring Court

Verwaltungsgerichtshof

Referring Court

Austrian Government

Intervener

European Commission

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Preliminary Reference (joined Cases C 421/00, C 426/00, C 16/01) / Judgment on Preliminary Questions

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Articles 2(1)(b) and 15(1) and (2) of Directive 79/112 preclude national legislation imposing a general prohibition, subject to prior authorisation, of health-related information on food labelling
  2. 2 Whether such national provisions are justified under the grounds listed in Article 15(2) of Directive 79/112

Ratio Decidendi

Articles 2(1)(b) and 15(1) and (2) of Directive 79/112 preclude a national system imposing a general prohibition, subject to prior authorisation, of all health-related information on food labelling and presentation, as such a system is more restrictive than the directive, disproportionate, and not justified by consumer protection or prevention of fraud.

Court Disposition

Preliminary ruling: National legislation imposing a general prohibition, subject to prior authorisation, of health-related information on food labelling is precluded by Directive 79/112.

Orders

  • Articles 2(1)(b) and 15(1) and (2) of Directive 79/112 preclude a system such as that established by Paragraph 9(1) and (3) of the LMG which lays down a general prohibition, subject to prior authorisation, of all health-related information on the labelling and presentation of foodstuffs.