FRANCE: DRAFT ORDER ON THE MANDATORY IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARDS FOR FASTENERS The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif.96.425. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: FRANCE. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2). 2. Agency responsible: Ministry of Industry, Post and Telecommunications and Foreign Trade, Directorate-General of Industrial Strategies -- SQUALPI, 22 Rue Monge -- 75005 Paris. Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Fasteners. 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Draft Order on the Mandatory Implementation of Standards for Fasteners (3 pages). 6. Description of content: Any reference made for advertising or information purposes by manufacturers, importers or distributors to the mechanical or functional characteristics or technical performance of fasteners must be determined, expressed and presented by reference to the quality classes or characteristics defined by Standards NF EN 20898-1, 2 and 6 and NF EN 28839, NF ISO/DIS 3506-1, NF ISO/DIS 3506-2. 7. Objective and rationale: The purpose of the draft Order is to ensure fair competition and protection of consumers of fasteners by providing for clear information for consumers and the elimination of vague and imprecise statements. 8. Relevant documents: Decree No. 87-74, as amended, establishing the Standardization Code Order of 20 January 1995 on the Mandatory Implementation of Standards. 9. Proposed date of adoption: 1 April 1997; Proposed date of entry into force: 1 April 1997. 10. Final date for comments: 1 March 1997. 11. Text available from: National enquiry point (CINORTECH). (0022)

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