RVR800,
That is indeed France for you but not necessarily the rest of Europe.
Our French friends have been at this protectionist lark a long time before anyone ever thought up the JAA. For instance, try using a UK or Irish engineering degree in France to get a job - not bloody likely, an MSc might get just you a technician's job. Try getting an electronic, electrical or telecom system approved for use in France - ah no I don't think so, unless you can dress it up and make it look like it was designed or made in France. However when someone goes to sell top quality beef to the French, the open European market suddenly gets very 'a la carte'!
OK so I know this comes from an commercial engineering perspective but France is the only country in the EU to throw up barriers as high for imports. Deal with Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Denmark and (most of!) the rest and this never ever happens. They only want to know: will it work and how much. With France, it is an entirely different matter.