G/LIC/N/1/EU/9  
 
20 October  2016 
(16-5717) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 1.4(A)i AND/OR 8.2(B )ii OF THE AGREEMENT  
EUROPEAN UNION  
The following notification, dated 4 October  2016, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union . 
 
1. Notification under Article 1.4(a) [X];  Article 8.2(b) [ X] (If the notification is made 
under both Articles please mark both with an X)  
2. Source(s) where the Import Licensing Procedure(s) has(ve) been published 
(Official  Gazette, publication, website, etc .): 
Official Journal of the European Union , L 206, 30.07.2016  
3. Date of publication:i 30.07.2016  
Effective date of requirement:  06.11.2016  
4. Copy(ies) of publication (in case of Art. 1.4(a)) iii  and/or legislation (in case of 
Art. 8.2(b))iv is(are) avai lable for consultation by Members:  
[] at the WTO Secretariat (Market Access Division)  (In this case please attach 
copies of the publication and/or legislation, if possible in electronic format:  Microsoft 
Word or compatible software)  
and/or  
[X] by request at the following address and fax numbers, and/or e -mail and 
website:  
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1470207942051&uri=CELEX:32016R1237  
and: 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1470208041736&uri=CELEX:32016R1239  
5. In the case that they are not in one of the three WTO officia l languages, 
(English, French or Spanish)  a SUMMARY of the publication (in case of Art. 
1.4(a )) and/or the legislation (in case of Art. 8.2(b )):iv 
N/A  G/LIC/N/1/EU/9  
 
- 2 - 
 
  6. Other pertinent data or information (i.e. title of the proposed or adopted 
law/regulation establishi ng the Import Licensing Procedure):  
The European Commission adopted on 18 May 2016 new regulations setting rules for 
applying the system of import and export licences in the agricultural sector. The new 
rules will apply as from 6 November 2016. The title o f the regulations is:  
 
1. Commission  delegated Regulation (EU) No 1237/ 2016 of 18 May 2016 
supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of 
the Council with regard to the rules for applying the system of import and export 
licenc es and supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council with regard to the rules on the release and forfeit of 
securities lodged for such licences, amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 
2535/2001, (EC) No 1342/2003 , (EC) No 2336/2003, (EC) No 951/2006, (EC) No 
341/2007 and (EC) No 382/2008 and repealing Commission Regulations (EC) No 
2390/98, (EC) No 1345/2005, (EC) No 376/2008 and (EC) No 507/2008 . 
 
2. Commission implementing Regulation (EU) No 1239/2016 of 18 May 2016 laying 
down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council with regard to the system of import and export 
licences.  
 A detailed description of the changes that will be introduced by these regula tions 
comparing to the current system is presented in the 2016 EU annual notification 
submitted in accordance with Article 7.3 of the Import Licensing Agreement.  
 
 
__________  
 
 
                                                
i "[...] Publication shall take place, whenever practicab le, 21 days prior to the effective date of the 
requirement but in all events not later than such effective date.  Any exception, derogations or changes in or 
from the rules concerning licensing procedures or the list of products subject to import licensing  shall also be 
published in the same manner and within the same time -periods as specified above ."  See Article 1.4(a) of the 
Agreement.  
ii "Each Member shall inform the Committee of any changes in its laws and regulations relevant to this 
Agreement and in t he administration of such laws and regulations."  
iii "The rules and all information concerning procedures for the submission of applications, including the 
eligibility of persons, firms and institutions to make such applications, the administrative body(ies)  to be 
approached, and the lists of products subject to the licensing requirement shall be published, in the sources 
notified to the Committee on Import Licensing [...] Copies of these publications shall also be made available to 
the Secretariat."  See Art . 1.4(a) of the Agreement and document G/LIC/3 "Procedures for Notification and 
Review under the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures".  
iv See document G/LIC/3 "Procedures for Notification and Review under the Agreement on Import 
Licensing Procedures".