Construction materials market in Hungary: violation of TRIS notification procedure 2021/410/HU
22.9.2021
Priority question for written answer P-004325/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Christian Doleschal (PPE)
On 9 July 2021, the Hungarian Government issued four decrees that will seriously affect the EU construction sector. One of these, notified under 2021/410/HU, established a de facto export ban on raw materials and products of strategic interest, including cement, gravel, sand, steel, copper, aluminium and timber. The procedure makes it largely impossible for the companies affected to supply to other EU markets.
This may violate not only the principle of the free internal market, but also the standstill period for the technical regulation information system (TRIS) pursuant to Articles 5(1), 5(3) and 6(1) of Directive (EU) 2015/1535. The final decree not only differs from the draft, but has also been amended without prior notification.
Another measure introduced price levels for construction materials which, if exceeded, are subject to additional ‘mining royalties’ amounting to 90 % of the price difference. This measure applies only to a limited number of producers, while other producers and importers remain unaffected.
- 1.Does the Commission share my concerns that the decrees violate not only the provisions on freedom of movement, but also the freedom of property and fundamental tax law principles by introducing unjustified quantitative export restrictions and prohibitive tax policies?
- 2.What additional measures will be taken to ensure the competitiveness of the regional construction sector?