BELGIUM: EU threatens action over bottle sizes

By Keith Nuthall | 6 April 2004

The European Commission is threatening Belgium with legal action at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over laws restricting the size of drinks bottles to a range of fixed quantities.

The Commission considers these rules "an unjustified obstacle to the free movement of goods" under the country's European Union (EU) treaty commitments and has given Belgium two months in which to say how it will reform the system.

If it doesn't, Belgium may face an ECJ case.

Generally, if a product is lawfully produced and marketed in one Member States, it can be sold across the EU. The Commission has sent Belgium a 'reasoned opinion' legal final warning over the case.

Sectors: Beer & cider