Screening meeting on Consumer and Health Protection concluded

Screening meeting with the European Union on Chapter 28 – Consumer and Health protection – was concluded in Brussels 16 May. At the meeting, which was the latter one of two, experts from Iceland and the EU compared the legislation falling under the Chapter. The Icelandic team was headed by Mr. Harald Aspelund, chairman of EEA II negotiation team. At the meeting discussion took place on the implementation of rules into Icelandic legislation in the area of consumer and health protection. As part of the EEA-Agreement most of the acquis falling under this Chapter has been adopted into Icelandic legislation and the acquis that has not been adopted, in general does not require changes in Icelandic legislation.

At the screening meetings, special attention was brought to the possibility that Iceland preserves its right to provide better consumers protection than generally within the European Union.

European Union's public health policy aims primarily to extensive strengthening of public health and health protection. Part of the legislation falling under Chapter 28 in the area of health protection has already been implemented under EEA-Agreement. Iceland does not have any exemptions or adjustments with the legislations in this area and overall Iceland should be able of undertake the commitments membership entails in this area.