23 November Internal Market Council

Date: 30/11/1995

AN uncharacteristic hush may soon fall over Europe's streets, following a decision by single market ministers to limit motorbike noise. The decision is likely to put the Council on a collision course with MEPs, who decided after months of heated debate to relax the rules on noise. But ministers agreed with the Parliament that anti-tampering mechanisms should not be required for very large motorbikes.

MEMBER states are to draw up a list of flavourings they consider to be safe by the end of the century, ministers agreed. But in the meantime, each member must agree to accept flavoured food products which have been authorised by their EU partners. The decision was uncontroversial, as most additives are believed to be safe.

PRODUCERS of mineral water may continue to use an age-old process to remove unsightly brown iron specks from mineral water. Plans to ban the use of ozone-enriched air to treat natural mineral water were dropped by ministers following an outcry by the natural mineral water industry. The Scientific Committee for Food has declared the procedure safe.

A NEW publicity campaign is to be launched next year to show Europe's citizens how they can benefit from the single market. Brochures on the market's good points, available in every EU language, will be distributed to the public. “There is a need to inform citizens to get them interested in the internal market and it is important to receive back the view of citizens on the single market,” explained Internal Market Commissioner Mario Monti.

BROAD political agreement was reached on a four-year 'Customs 2000' programme to create common customs procedures. Fifty million ecu will be spent on, among other things, efforts to harmonise systems throughout the bloc, to ensure the free flow of business between member states and to improve the efficiency of customs administrations.