Federalism and Responsibility : Study on Product Safety Law and Practice in the European Community (1994 ed.)

This work comprises a legal and sociological exploration of the impact of market integration on the procedures for dealing with emergencies arising because of the appearance of unsafe products on the market of five Member States of the European Community: Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.

In particular, it examines the regulation of emergencies at national level, describes national law and practice and conducts two case studies, one on the subject of exploding "gas cylinder" office chairs, the other on contaminated Austrian wine.

By investigating, against the background of the available legal rules in these countries, how the responsible authorities dealt with emergency situations in the field of consumer goods and foodstuff, it was possible to detect a pattern of European emergency management.

Analyzed in the context of ongoing European integration, this material illustrates the necessity of a federalist structure to sustain the European Community.