Brussels, September 25, 2025 (Brussels) — The European Commission announced today it has initiated infringement proceedings against Portugal for failing to notify the transposition of rules concerning the minimum depth of markings on firearms and essential components.
In a statement, the European executive explained it decided to open infringement cases, sending formal notification letters to Portugal and other member states (Bulgaria, Czechia, Poland, and Finland) for failing to communicate the national transposition measures related to this European Union (EU) directive, which was due by July 22, 2025.
These five EU countries have not met the deadline, and following the dispatch of these formal notification letters, they now have two months to complete the transposition and notify their measures to the European Commission.
If Brussels does not receive a satisfactory response, particularly from Lisbon, it may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
At issue are changes to EU legislation establishing a new rule regarding the minimum depth of markings on firearms and essential components, setting it at 0.08 mm.
The technical requirement is added to the existing standards of the current implementing act, which did not specify any minimum depth, explains Brussels, arguing that this rule “ensures level playing fields for producers and facilitates trade in the internal market”.
“The newly defined minimum depth also matches the applicable standards in the most important third-country markets, ensuring compatibility for firearm exports. The marking ensures the traceability of firearms and is fundamental for the security of EU citizens,” the institution further indicates.
