> On the other hand, the really quite high threshold might well be subject to complaints on the basis of distorting the single market. It probably should, but

> On the other hand, the really quite high threshold might well be subject to complaints on the basis of distorting the single market. It probably should, but this is certainly not the first time a EU member country has tried (and gotten away with!) protectionism. Some other examples are stricter safety/quality standards that only (surprise!) local businesses' meet and government guarantee of private company debt (I have no idea how this is legal).