If Brussels does not receive a satisfactory response, namely by Lisbon, may decide to issue a reasoned opinion
The European Commission has announced that it has started a process of infringement against Portugal because the country did not communicate the transposition of the rules regarding the minimum depth of firearms and essential components.
In a statement, the community executive explains that he decided to open infraction processes, sending a letter of formal notification to Portugal and other Member States (Bulgaria, Chéquia, Poland and Finland) that they did not communicate the national transposition measures relating to this European Union (EU) directive, which should have happened until July 22, 2025.
These five EU countries have not met the deadline and, after sending these formal notification letters, now have two months to complete transposition and notify their measures to the European Commission.
If Brussels does not receive a satisfactory response, namely by Lisbon, may decide to issue a grounded opinion.
At issue are changes to community legislation that establish a new rule regarding the minimum depth of firearms and essential components, setting it at 0.08 mm.
The technical requirement is added to the existing rules of the current act of execution, which did not specify any minimum depth, explains Brussels, arguing that this rule “guarantees equitable conditions for producers and facilitates trade in the domestic market.”
“The minimum depth now defined also corresponds to the applicable rules in the most important markets of third countries, ensuring compatibility for firearms export. Marking ensures the traceability of firearms and is fundamental for the safety of EU citizens,” the institution says.
