A Comparative Analysis of European Law: Cassis de Dijon and Keck Cases

This report analyzes key aspects of European Law, focusing on the Cassis de Dijon and Keck cases. The Cassis de Dijon case highlights the issue of trade barriers and the principle of free movement of goods within the European Union, particularly concerning differing national regulations. The report then discusses the Keck case, which further clarifies the application of EU law regarding retail regulations. The analysis includes the relevance of the Single European Act of 1987 and the impact of these cases on the overall legal framework governing trade within the EU. The report references the complexities of these legal precedents, emphasizing their significance in shaping European trade law.

Running head: EUROPEAN LAW
European Law
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1EUROPEAN LAW
In the world after the Second World War, the tariffs had been regarded as one of the main
trade barriers for the countries to do the business in their internal market. The case of Cassis de
Dijon was regarded as a case in which the people had got into the trouble for selling Cassis liquer
in Germany with 16% of alcohol in it. According to laws of European Union, the free movement
of the products between EU member countries could be done.1 Therefore, the complexity of the
Keck case should be discussed in this matter. The Keck was very complicated as Keck and
Mithouard were prosecuted in France. This was done because they did not abide by retail laws in
France and were selling Picon liquer below its cost price.
In Cassis case, this French liquer Cassis has only 16% of alcohol that cannot be sold in
Germany as liquer. It is because the minimum amount of alcohol in Germany should be 25%. So,
Germany will face violation of their own laws and customs excise duties.2 This is why Germany
had put up objections in selling these products without any customs duty. The Single European
Act of 1987 is the legal structure under which this case had been assessed.3 All sorts of products
produced ina European country should be sold in all other member countries freely as per the
1 En.euabc.com, 'Cassis De Dijon Case - Euabc' (En.euabc.com, 2019) <http://en.euabc.com/word/140> accessed 24
May 2019
2 En.euabc.com, 'Cassis De Dijon Case - Euabc' (En.euabc.com, 2019) <http://en.euabc.com/word/140> accessed 24
May 2019
3 Europarl.europa.e, 'Free Movement Of Goods | Fact Sheets On The European Union | European Parliament'
(Europarl.europa.eu, 2019) <http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/38/free-movement-of-goods>
accessed 24 May 2019

2EUROPEAN LAW
legislation of EU. In this Cassis case, the percentage of alcohol issue served as a major trade
barrier.

3EUROPEAN LAW
References
En.euabc.com, 'Cassis De Dijon Case - Euabc' (En.euabc.com, 2019)
<http://en.euabc.com/word/140> accessed 24 May 2019
Europarl.europa.e, 'Free Movement Of Goods | Fact Sheets On The European Union | European
Parliament' (Europarl.europa.eu, 2019)
<http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/38/free-movement-of-goods> accessed 24
May 2019