Moreover, the fear expressed by some participants in the consultation process that the principles and guidelines could remain a dead letter because of their non-legally binding nature is due to a misunderstanding. It goes without saying that, when the Commission decides to apply the principles and guidelines, its departments have to act accordingly.
En outre, ces participants se méprennent lorsqu'ils craignent que les principes et les lignes directrices restent lettre morte en raison de leur caractère juridiquement non contraignant. Il va de soi que lorsque la Commission décide d'appliquer certains principes et lignes directrices, ses services ont l'obligation d'agir en conséquence.
