T he EC Commission has agreed to a new law giving
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member states more power to deal with counterfeit goods, including truck spare parts from nonEC countries.
Community Customs Commissioner Christiane Scrivener says that obtaining a temporary freeze on imported counterfeit goods takes too long. The proposal will allow owners of threatened trademarks to apply directly to the customs authorities if they suspect that counterfeit goods bearing their trade marks, logos or packaging are toeing imported into the EC. 'Not only is trade in these generally inferior products damaging to manufacturers of the genuine products and bona fide dealers who lose sales and reputation, "says Scrivener, "consumers often suffer material damage or financial loss."
EC officials have also drafted a Directive that will allow EC member states to charge trucks of 12 tonnes and above to use their roads (CM 24-30 June). But British officials are believed to be resisting the proposal to
allow
Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and Denmark to charge vehicles regional tolls.lf introduced these tolls are likely to be collected through the sale of vignettes— windscreen stickers. However, the Directive will not stipulate this, allowing electronic road pricing to be introduced. Certain types of vehicles including those owned by public, regional or local authorities, police and armed forces would be exempt.