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Training for national authorities on free movement of goods

To improve the free movement of goods within the European Union, Product Contact Points (PCPs) have been set up in the Member States. The purpose of these Product Contact Points is to facilitate access to the national market for economic operators of other Member States. PCPs just concluded successfully a 2-year programme, initiated at the beginning of 2022 at the request of the European Union Product Compliance Network (EUPCN), aiming to strengthen their expertise and address the growing need for product-specific market surveillance information in several sectors.

date:  22/09/2023

During the two-year programme, 13 online training sessions were conducted, covering 30 harmonised product sectors, e.g. automotive, medical devices, machinery, or explosives. Each session, lasting two hours, featured presentations by subject matter experts, predominantly from the Administrative Cooperation Groups (AdCos). The training programme facilitated active interaction among participants and provided a platform for questions and discussions.


The first session also addressed horizontal aspects, e.g. the New Legislative Framework (NLF) principles, harmonised standards, CE marking, and conformity assessment. That first session attracted over 230 participants and was repeated due to popular demand. The 13th and final session took place on June 21, 2023.


With an average of 126 connected screens per session, the training programme received significant engagement. The expertise of 32 speakers from 12 Member States and the European Commission was shared, generating positive feedback and ensuring knowledge dissemination.


To support authorities in the long run, a document was prepared for each product sector, containing to-the-point information and useful links for market surveillance authorities. These resources will serve as valuable references for both new colleagues and those not frequently inspecting a product of a certain group.
The PCPs training programme has been a great success, equipping PCPs with enhanced knowledge and promoting cooperation. 


We extend our gratitude to all participants and contributors for their dedication throughout this initiative.