Analysis of Free Movement of Goods: Post-WW2 and EU Policies

This report provides an overview of the free movement of goods within the European Union, focusing on the post-World War 2 period. It highlights the evolution from the customs union to the internal market and discusses the relevant treaties and legal frameworks. The report examines key principles like mutual recognition and the elimination of trade barriers, while also analyzing the impact of the Cassis de Dijon case and Article 34 and 36 of the EU. Furthermore, the report considers the impact of the EU's trade agreements, such as those with Canada, on reducing trade tariffs. In conclusion, the report emphasizes the liberalization of goods movement within the EU and its implications on the member nations.

FREE-MOVEMENT OF
GOODS WITHIN THE EU

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
European Union has 28 member states which are located in Europe. The present report
includes post World War 2 treaties and main trade barriers of free movement of goods in EU and
its member nations.
MAIN BODY
Free-movement of goods
It comes first among four fundamental freedoms of EU and internal market. It involves
various principles like mutual recognition, technical and physical barriers' elimination, etc. for
completing internal market.1
Development of free-movement of goods
Originally, free movement of goods was analysed as a part of custom union. Later, after
World War 2, along with elimination of custom duties, remaining barriers were also eliminated
with a view to create internal market as an area which allows free movement as a national
market.
In Cassis de Dijon case, it was stated that if goods are produced as per law of one
member state, why they couldn't be allowed in other member states2.
Further, with reference to judgement of above case, principal was laid down that if goods
are manufactured legally and as per the manufacturing rules of that country, state has to allow
movement of those goods in all over the nation freely. Post World War 2 period, EU has faced
some barriers m it was not having efficient resources for trade practices, there was a low
standard of sanitary and phytosanitary products.
Article 34 states that some selling arrangements are not covered within the scope of
article, only if all relevant operations of national territory are being applied and also have effect
in same manner3.
1 Nugent, Neill. The government and politics of the European Union. Palgrave, 2017.
2 De Wildt, Tristan E., et al. "A comprehensive approach to reviewing latent topics
addressed by literature across multiple disciplines." Applied energy. 228 (2018): 2111-
2128.
3 'Free movement of goods'. (2018).
<http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/38/free-movement-of-goods>
1

Article 36 provides exceptions to general principles like allowing member states to have
effect to quantitative restrictions, etc. must be analysed. Further, as per judgement of above case,
member states can make restrictions over movement in order to protect the public health, fair
competition in market, etc.
Treaty provisions are made between EU and its member nations, through which law
related to trade in EU are framed. Post World War 2, EU made some treaty provisions like
making agreement with Canada to reduce 98% of trade tariffs to reduce trade barriers in EU.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that treaties and provisions of free
movement of goods have become more liberal in post-World War 2 period.
2

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
De Wildt, Tristan E., et al. "A comprehensive approach to reviewing latent topics addressed by
literature across multiple disciplines." Applied energy. 228 (2018): 2111-2128.
Nugent, Neill. The government and politics of the European Union. Palgrave, 2017.
Online
'Free movement of goods'. (2018). <http://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/38/free-
movement-of-goods>
3