Are side rails to be considered as essential for the operations of the appliance ?

Side rails are to be considered essential to the normal operation of an oven, as without them no rack can be placed inside the oven. Placing a dish on the floor of the oven (without racks) is an exceptional use, not the operation of the appliance in the manner for which it is intended.

_{Disclaimer: Please note that the European Commission cannot provide a legally binding interpretation of the EU legislation, as this is the sole competence of the European Court of Justice. Any remarks from the European Commission services are without prejudice to the position the Commission might take should related cases arise in a procedure before the Court of Justice.}