# EUR-Lex - 52014PC0124 - EN

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# 52014PC0124

**Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Joint Committee established by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation of 22 July 1972 as regards the adaptation of Protocol No 3 to the Agreement (Definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative co-operation) following Croatia's accession to the European Union /* COM/2014/0124 final - 2014/0066 (NLE) */**

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.           CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

The Republic of Croatia acceded to the
European Union on 1 July 2013. The Agreement between the European Economic
Community and the Swiss Confederation of 22 July 1972 applies directly to Croatia as of its day of accession.

The accession of Croatia implies that
Protocol 3 to that Agreement concerning the definition of the concept of
‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation, which was
last amended by Decision No 2/2009 of the EC-Switzerland Joint Committee1 requires some
technical amendments.

According to Article 39 of Protocol 3, the
provisions of this Protocol may be amended by decision of the Joint Committee.

The text of the draft decision includes
technical amendments and transitional provisions aiming at smoothing the
transitional process and at guaranteeing legal security.

Annex IV, item 5 of Croatia's Act of
Accession provides similar transitional measures and procedures.

2.           RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS
WITH THE INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

There is no need for an
impact assessment insofar as the amendments proposed are merely technical and
do not modify the substance of the current Origin Protocol.

3.           LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE
PROPOSAL

The draft decision lays
down the necessary amendments to Protocol 3 following the accession of Croatia to the EU:

– 
Annexes IVa and IVb: addition of the new
language versions;

– 
Transitional provisions on proofs of origin and
administrative cooperation and for goods in transit.

4.           BUDGETARY IMPLICATION

The proposal has no implication for the
European Union's budget.

5.           OPTIONAL ELEMENTS

A review, revision or sunset clause is not
foreseen.

2014/0066 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the position to be taken on behalf of
the European Union within the Joint Committee established by the Agreement
between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation of 22 July
1972 as regards the adaptation of Protocol No 3 to the Agreement (Definition of
the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative
co-operation) following Croatia's accession to the European Union

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207, in
conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal of the
Commission,

Whereas:

(1)       The Republic of Croatia ("Croatia") acceded to the European Union on 1 July 2013.

(2)       Upon Croatia’s accession, trade between Croatia and the Swiss Confederation ("Switzerland") is covered by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss
Confederation, signed in Brussels on 22 July 1972[1] ("the
Agreement") and the application of the trade agreements concluded between Croatia and Switzerland is discontinued.

(3)       With effect from Croatia's accession, goods originating in that
country imported into Switzerland in the framework of the Agreement are to be treated as of
Union origin.

(4)       In order to ensure a
smooth transition process and guarantee legal security, some technical amendments
to Protocol 3 to the Agreement
concerning the definition of the concept of "originating products"
and methods of administrative co-operation,
as well as transitional measures, are required.

(5)       Pursuant to Article 39 of
Protocol 3, the Joint Committee established by it may decide to amend the
provisions of that Protocol.

(6)       Protocol 3 should
therefore be amended accordingly.

(7)       The position of the Union in the EU-Switzerland Joint Committee should be based on the attached draft decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on the Union's
behalf within the EU-Switzerland Joint Committee with regard to an amendment to
Protocol 3 to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the
Swiss Confederation of 22 July 1972, shall be based on the draft Decision of
the Joint Committee attached to this Decision.

Article 2

Transitional provisions shall apply as
provided in Article 2 of the draft Decision of the Joint Committee.

Article 3

The provisions of the Agreement
shall be applied to goods exported from either Croatia to Switzerland or from Switzerland to Croatia, which comply
with the provisions of Protocol 3 and that on
the date of accession are either in
transit or in temporary storage, in a customs warehouse
or in a free zone in
 Croatia or in Switzerland.

Article 4

The representative of the European Union in
the Joint Committee is hereby empowered to adopt the draft Decision attached to
this Decision to the Joint Committee.

Article 5

The Decision of the Joint Committee shall
be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, as well as
the date of its entry into force.

Article 6

This decision shall enter into force on the
day of its adoption.

It shall apply from 1 July 2013.

Done at Brussels,

For
the Council

The
President

[1]               OJ L 300, 31.12.1972, p. 189.

ANNEX

DECISION
No x/2014 OF THE EU-SWITZERLAND JOINT COMMITTEE

of
... 2014

amending
Protocol No 3 of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the
Swiss Confederation concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating
products’ and methods of administrative cooperation

THE JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation, signed in Brussels on
22 July 1972, hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement", and in particular its Article 11 thereof,

Having regard to Protocol No 3 to the Agreement concerning the definition of the
concept of "originating products" and methods of administrative
cooperation, hereinafter referred to as "the
Protocol No 3",
and in particular Article
39 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) 
The Republic of Croatia, hereinafter referred to as "Croatia", acceded to the European Union on 1 July 2013.

(2) 
Upon Croatia's accession, trade between
 Croatia and the Swiss
Confederation ("Switzerland"), is covered by the Agreement
and the application of the trade agreements concluded between Switzerland and Croatia is discontinued.

(3) 
With effect from Croatia's accession, goods originating in that country imported
into Switzerland in the framework of the Agreement are to be treated as of
Union origin.

(4) 
Trade between Croatia and Switzerland should therefore be subject from 1 July 2013 to the Agreement as amended by
this Act.

(5) 
In order to ensure a smooth transition process
and guarantee legal security, some technical amendments to Protocol No 3, as well
as transitional measures, are
required.

(6) 
Similar transitional measures and procedures are
provided for in Annex IV No 5 to the
2012 Act of Accession.

(7) 
Protocol No 3, subject to the following
transitional dispositions, should therefore apply from 1 July 2013,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1

Technical
amendments to the text of the Protocol

Article
1

Rules of origin

Protocol No 3 is amended as follows:

(a)          Annex IVa is replaced by
the text set out in Annex I to this Decision;

(b)          Annex IVb is replaced by
the text set out in Annex II to this Decision.

Section
2

Transitional provisions

Article
2

Proof
of origin and administrative cooperation

1.           Proofs of origin properly issued by either Croatia or Switzerland or made out in the framework
of a preferential agreement applied between them shall be accepted in the respective countries, provided that:

(a)     the acquisition of such origin confers
preferential tariff treatment on the basis of the preferential tariff measures contained in the Agreement;

(b)     the
proof of origin and the transport documents
were issued or made out no later than the day before the date of accession; and

(c)     the
proof of origin is submitted
to the customs authorities
within the period of four months from the date of accession.

Where goods were declared for importation in either Croatia or Switzerland, prior to
the date of accession, under a preferential agreement applied
between Croatia and
Switzerland at that time, proof of
origin issued retrospectively under
that agreement may also be accepted provided that it is submitted to the customs authorities within
the period of four months from the date of
accession.

2.           Croatia is authorised to retain
the authorisations with which the status of ‘approved exporters’ has been granted in the framework of a preferential agreement applied between Croatia and Switzerland prior to the date of accession, provided
that:

(a)     such
a provision is also provided for in the agreement concluded prior to the date of accession
between Switzerland and the Community; and

(b)     the
approved exporters apply the rules of origin
in force under that agreement.

These authorisations shall be replaced
no later than one year after the date of accession, by new authorisations issued under the conditions of the Agreement.

3.           Requests for subsequent verification of proof
of origin issued under the preferential agreement
referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be accepted by the competent customs
authorities of either Switzerland or Croatia for a period of three years after the issue of the proof
of origin concerned
and may be made by those authorities for a period of three years after acceptance of the proof of
origin submitted to those authorities in support of an import declaration.

Article
3

Goods in transit

1            The provisions of the Agreement may be applied
to goods exported from either Croatia to Switzerland or Switzerland to
 Croatia, which comply with the provisions of Protocol No 3 and that on the date of accession are either in transit or in temporary
storage, in a customs warehouse
or in a free zone in Croatia or in Switzerland.

2.           Preferential treatment may be granted in such cases,
subject to the submission to the customs
authorities of the importing country, within four months of the date of accession, of a proof of origin issued
retrospectively by the customs
authorities of the exporting country.

Article
4

Entry
into force

This decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

It shall apply from 1 July 2013.

Done at ,

For the Joint Committee

The Chairman

ANNEX I

"ANNEX IVa

TEXT
OF THE INVOICE DECLARATION

The invoice declaration, the text of which
is given below, must be made out in accordance with the footnotes. However, the
footnotes do not have to be reproduced.

Bulgarian
version

Износителят
на
продуктите,
обхванати от
този
документ —
митническо
разрешение №
... (1), декларира,
че освен
където ясно е
отбелязано
друго, тези
продукти са с
... преференциален
произход (2).

Spanish
version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el
presente documento [autorización aduanera no ... (1)] declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos
productos gozan de un origen preferencial ... (2).

Czech version

Vývozce výrobků uvedených v tomto
dokumentu (číslo povolení... (1)) prohlašuje, že kromě zřetelně označených, mají tyto výrobky preferenční původ v ... (2).

Danish
version

Eksportøren af varer, der er omfattet af
nærværende dokument, (toldmyndighedernes tilladelse nr. ... (1)), erklærer, at varerne, medmindre andet tydeligt er angivet, har
præferenceoprindelse i ... (2).

German
version

Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer;
Bewilligungs-Nr. ... (1)) der Waren,
auf die sich dieses Handelspapier bezieht, erklärt, dass diese Waren, soweit
nicht anders angegeben, präferenzbegünstigte ... (2) Ursprungswaren sind.

Estonian
version

Käesoleva dokumendiga hõlmatud toodete
eksportija (tolliameti kinnitus nr. ... (1)) deklareerib, et need tooted on ... (2) sooduspäritoluga, välja arvatud juhul kui on selgelt näidatud
teisiti.

Greek version

Ο
εξαγωγέας των
προϊόντων που
καλύπτονται
από το παρόν
έγγραφο [άδεια
τελωνείου υπ' αριθ. ... (1)] δηλώνει
ότι, εκτός
εάν δηλώνεται
σαφώς άλλως, τα
προϊόντα αυτά
είναι
προτιμησιακής
καταγωγής ... (2).

English version

The exporter of the products covered by this
document (customs authorization No ... (1)) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these
products are of ... (2) preferential
origin.

French version

L'exportateur des produits couverts par le
présent document [autorisation douanière no ... (1)] déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont
l'origine préférentielle ... (2).

Croatian version

Izvoznik
proizvoda obuhvaćenih ovom ispravom (carinsko ovlaštenje br ... (1))
izjavljuje da su, osim ako je drukčije izričito navedeno, ovi
proizvodi... (2) preferencijalnog podrijetla.

Italian version

L'esportatore delle merci contemplate nel
presente documento [autorizzazione doganale n. ... (1)] dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di
origine preferenziale ... (2).

Latvian version

Eksportētājs produktiem, kuri
ietverti šajā
dokumentā (muitas
pilnvara Nr. ... (1)), deklarē, ka, izņemot tur, kur ir citādi
skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir
priekšrocību izcelsme no ... (2).

Lithuanian version

Šiame dokumente išvardytų prekių eksportuotojas
(muitinės liudi- jimo Nr. ... (1)) deklaruoja, kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta,
tai yra ... (2) preferencinės kilmės prekės.

Hungarian
version

A jelen okmányban szereplő
áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: ... (1)) kijelentem, hogy eltérő jelzés hianyában az áruk kedvezményes ... (2) származásúak.

Maltese version

L-esportatur tal-prodotti koperti b'dan
id-dokument (awtorizzazzjoni tad-dwana nru. ... (1)) jiddikjara li, ħlief
fejn indikat b'mod ċar li mhux
hekk, dawn il-prodotti huma ta' oriġini preferenzjali ... (2).

Dutch
version

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit
document van toepassing is (douanevergunning nr. ... (1)), verklaart dat, behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende
vermelding, deze goederen van preferentiële ... oorsprong zijn (2).

Polish version

Eksporter produktów objętych tym dokumentem (upoważnienie władz celnych nr ... (1)) oświadcza, że – jeśli wyraźnie nie określono inaczej – produkty te mają ... (2)
pochodzenie preferencyjne.

Portuguese
version

O exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo
presente documento [autorização aduaneira n.o ... (1)], declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes
produtos são de origem preferencial ... (2).

Romanian
version

Exportatorul produselor ce fac obiectul
acestui document [autorizația vamală nr. ... (1)] declară că,
exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt
de origine preferențială ... (2).

Slovak
version

Vývozca výrobkov uvedených v tomto dokumente (číslo povolenia... (1)) vyhlasuje, že okrem
zreteľne označených majú tieto výrobky preferenčný pôvod v ... (2)

Slovenian version

Izvoznik blaga, zajetega s tem dokumentom
(pooblastilo carinskih organov št. ... (1)) izjavlja, da, razen če ni drugače jasno
navedeno, ima to blago preferencialno ... (2) poreklo.

Finnish
version

Tässä asiakirjassa mainittujen tuotteiden
viejä (tullin lupa n:o ... (1))
ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty,
etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita
(2)

Swedish version

Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta
dokument (tullmyn- dighetens tillstånd nr ... (1)) försäkrar att dessa varor, om inte annat tydligt markerats, har
förmånsberättigande ... ursprung (2)

.............................................................................................................................................. (3)

(Place
and date)

.............................................................................................................................................. (4)

(Signature
of the exporter, in addition the name of the person signing the declaration has
to be indicated in clear script)

........................

(1)           When the invoice declaration is
made out by an approved exporter, the authorisation number of the approved
exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not
made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the
space left blank.

(2)          Origin of products to be
indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to
products originating in Ceuta and Melilla, the exporter must clearly indicate
them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the
symbol “CM”.

(3)          These indications may be
omitted if the information is contained on the document itself.

(4)          In cases where the
exporter is not required to sign, the exemption of signature also implies the
exemption of the name of the
signatory."

ANNEX II

"ANNEX IVb

TEXT OF THE INVOICE DECLARATION EUR-MED

The invoice declaration EUR-MED, the text
of which is given below, must be made out in accordance with the footnotes.
However, the footnotes do not have to be reproduced.

Bulgarian
version

Износителят
на
продуктите,
обхванати от
този
документ —
митническо
разрешение №
... (1) декларира,
че освен
където ясно е
отбелязано
друго, тези
продукти са с
... преференциален
произход (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Spanish
version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el
presente documento [autorización aduanera n o ... (1)] declara que, salvo
indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen
preferencial ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Czech
version

Vývozce výrobků uvedených v tomto
dokumentu (číslo povolení ... (1)) prohlašuje, že kromě
zřetelně označených mají tyto výrobky preferenční
původ v ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Danish
version

Eksportøren af varer, der er omfattet af
nærværende dokument, (toldmyndighedernes tilladelse nr. ... (1)), erklærer, at
varerne, medmindre andet tydeligt er angivet, har præferenceoprindelse i ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

German
version

Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer;
Bewilligungs-Nr. ... (1)) der Waren, auf die sich dieses Handelspapier bezieht,
erklärt, dass diese Waren, soweit nicht anders angegeben, präferenzbegünstigte
... (2) Ursprungswaren sind.

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Estonian
version

Käesoleva dokumendiga hõlmatud toodete
eksportija (tolliamenti kinnitus nr ... (1)) deklareerib, et need tooted on ... (2)
sooduspäritoluga, välja arvatud juhul, kui on selgelt näidatud teisiti

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Greek
version

Ο εξαγωγέας των προϊόντων που καλύπτονται από το παρόν έγγραφο [άδεια τελωνείου υπ'αριθ. ... (1)] δηλώνει ότι,
εκτός εάν
δηλώνεται
σαφώς άλλως, τα προϊόντα
αυτά είναι
προτιμησιακής
καταγωγής ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

English
version

The exporter of the products covered by
this document (customs authorisation No ... (1)) declares that, except where
otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ... (2) preferential origin.

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

French version

L’exportateur des produits couverts par le
présent document [autorisation douanière n o ... (1)] déclare que, sauf
indication

claire du contraire, ces produits ont
l’origine préférentielle ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Croatian
version

Izvoznik
proizvoda obuhvaćenih ovom ispravom (carinsko ovlaštenje br ...(1)
izjavljuje da su, osim ako je drukčije izričito navedeno, ovi
proizvodi...(2) preferencijalnog podrijetla;

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Italian
version

L’esportatore delle merci contemplate nel
presente documento [autorizzazione doganale n. ... (1)]
dichiara che, salvo

indicazione contraria, le merci sono di
origine preferenziale ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Latvian
version

To produktu eksportētājs, kuri
ietverti šajā dokumentā (muitas atļauja Nr. ... (1)),
deklarē, ka, izņemot tur, kur ir citādi

skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir
preferenciāla izcelsme ... (2):

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Lithuanian
version

Šiame dokumente išvardytų prekių
eksportuotojas (muitinės liudijimo Nr. ... (1)) deklaruoja, kad, jeigu
kitaip nenurodyta,

tai yra ... (2) preferencinės
kilmės prekės.

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Hungarian
version

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk
exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: ... (1)) kijelentem, hogy eltérő
jelzés hiányában az

áruk kedvezményes ... (2) származásúak.

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Maltese
version

L-esportatur tal-prodotti koperti b’dan
id-dokument (awtorizzazzjoni tad-dwana Nru ... (1)) jiddikjara li, ħlief
fejn indikat b’mod ċar li mhux hekk, dawn il-prodotti huma ta’
oriġini preferenzjali ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Dutch
version

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit
document van toepassing is (douanevergunning nr. ... (1)), verklaart dat,
behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende vermelding, deze goederen van
preferentiële ... oorsprong zijn (2).

— cumulation applied with ...........................................
(name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Polish
version

Eksporter produktów objętych tym
dokumentem (upoważnienie władz celnych nr ... (1)) deklaruje, że z
wyjątkiem gdzie jest to wyraźnie określone, produkty te
mają ... (2) preferencyjne pochodzenie.

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Portuguese
version

O abaixo-assinado, exportador dos produtos
abrangidos pelo presente documento [autorização aduaneira n. o ... (1)], declara
que, salvo indicação expressa em contrário, estes produtos são de origem
preferencial ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Romanian
version

Exportatorul produselor ce fac obiectul
acestui document [autorizația vamală nr. ... (1)] declară că,
exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt
de origine preferențială ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Slovak
version

Vývozca výrobkov uvedených v tomto
dokumente [číslo povolenia ... (1)] vyhlasuje, že okrem zreteľne označených,
tieto výrobky majú preferenčný pôvod v ... (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Slovenian
version

Izvoznik blaga, zajetega s tem dokumentom
(pooblastilo carinskih organov št. ... (1)) izjavlja, da, razen če ni
drugače jasno navedeno, ima to blago preferencialno ... (2) poreklo.

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Finnish
version

Tässä asiakirjassa mainittujen tuotteiden
viejä (tullin lupa n:o ... (1)) ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin
ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita (2).

— cumulation applied with ...........................................
(name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

Swedish
version

Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta
dokument (tullmyndighetens tillstånd nr ... (1)) försäkrar att dessa varor, om
inte annat tydligt markerats, har förmånsberättigande ... ursprung (2).

— cumulation applied with
........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (3)

.........................................................................................................................................(4)

(Place
and date)

.........................................................................................................................................(5)

(Signature
of the exporter, in addition the name of the person signing the declaration has
to be indicated in clear script)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

(1)          When the invoice
declaration is made out by an approved exporter, the authorisation number of
the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice
declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets
shall be omitted or the space left blank.

(2)          Origin of products to be
indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to
products originating in Ceuta and Melilla, the exporter must clearly indicate
them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the
symbol “CM”.

(3)          Complete and delete where
necessary.

(4)          These indications may be
omitted if the information is contained on the document itself.

(5)          In cases where the
exporter is not required to sign, the exemption of signature also implies the
exemption of the name of the signatory.”