./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/Notif.98.540
4 November 1998
(98-4304)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  THE NETHERLANDS
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):           
2. Agency responsible: Ministry of Economic Affairs,
Board for the Hotel and Catering Industry
Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be
indicated if different from above:  Nati onal enquiry point - EC WTO-TBT Enquiry point
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:           
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Products used to equip a
hotel room, more specifically towels and bath towels
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Third Regulation
Amending the Regulation Benelux-Hotel Classification 1985 Issued by the Dutch Board for
the Hotel and Catering Industry
6. Description of content:  Appendix 1 to the Regulation contains standards which companies
providing accommodation must meet in order to be divided into one of the five categories of
the Benelux hotel classification (star system).  These standards replace the current list of
standards.  In addition, the Regulation contains a few transitional provisions.  There are also
a few other amendments to the Regulation Benelux-Hotel Classification 1985 issued by theDutch Board for the Hotel and Catering Industry, which have been incorporated concerning
amended legislation.
According to the Netherlands Government , the List of Standards (Appendix 1)
probably contains technical regulations within the meaning of Directive 98/34/EC in
Standards 03.08, 03.09 and 03.10, where it is stipulated that towels or bath towels shall havecertain minimum measurements in order to qualify as towels or bath towels within the
meaning of the Regulation Benelux-Hotel Classification 1985 issued by the Dutch Board
for the Hotel and Catering Industry.
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable:  The
Regulation implements recommendation M (96) 10 of the Ministerial Committee of the
Benelux Economic Union regarding the classification of companies providing
accommodation.  The purpose of the hotel classification is to offer information toconsumers.
The classification of hotel companies into categories renders the supply side of the
hotel market more transparent to the consumer.  Insofar as the proposal contains
quantitative import restrictions or measures of equal effect within the meaning of the
TBT Agreement, these measures are justified to protect the interests of the consumer.G/TBT/Notif.98.540
Page 2
8. Relevant documents:  As indicated under 7, the Regulation implements recommendation
M (96) 10 of the Ministerial Committee of the Benelux Economic Union regarding the
classification of companies providing accommodation.  The text of this recommendation, as
well as the current text of the Regulation Benelux-Hotel Classification 1985 issued by the
Dutch Board for the Hotel and Catering Industry.
9. Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force: } 1 January 1999
10. Final date for comments:  11 December 1998
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, e-mail and telefax number of
the other body: