PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS : PROCEEDINGS OVER NON-RECOGNITION OF DIPLOMAS.

• Position: Brief article

The European Commission announced in 12 December that it has decided to refer France to the EU Court of Justice for infringing Articles 39, 43 and 49 of the EC Treaty and Directive 92/51/EEC on a general system for the recognition of professional qualifications. France has refused to allow canyoning guides from other member states to practise this activity as a stand-alone option in France, arguing that access to the activity of canyoning guide in France is restricted to mountain guides, potholers and mountaineering instructors.

The Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion to France for non-compliance with the judgement of the Court of Justice in Case C-402/02. According to this ruling, France is under an obligation to bring its legislation on the recognition of the diplomas required by special needs teachers to access the profession in the public sector into line with Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC.

The Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion to Germany regarding the...