COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 644/2014
of 16 June 2014
amending Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 laying down detailed rules for implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 as regards the arrangements for imports of organic products from third countries
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (1), and in particular Article 33(2) and (3) and Article 38(d) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Annex III to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 (2) sets out the list of third countries whose system of production and control measures for organic production of agricultural products are recognised as equivalent to those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. Annex IV to that Regulation sets out the list of control bodies and control authorities competent to carry out controls and issue certificates in third countries for the purpose of equivalence. In the light of new information received by the Commission, certain changes should be made to the lists set out in those Annexes.
(2)
The duration of inclusion of Canada in the list set out in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 ends on 30 June 2014. Given that Canada continues to satisfy the conditions laid down in Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, the inclusion should be prolonged for an unlimited period.
(3)
By Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 586/2013 (3) the control body NOCA Pvt. Ltd, Pune was removed from the entry for India in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 following information from India concerning the suspension of that control body. The competent authority of India notified the Commission of the end of that suspension, as well as of the approval of a new control body, M/S. Faircert Certification Services Pvt Ltd, Khargone. Those control bodies should therefore be added to the entry for India in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008.
(4)
On the basis of information received by the Commission showing that the control body SGS India Pvt. Ltd does not respect the scope of recognition of India as regards the products that can be imported, that control body should be removed from the entry for India in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008.
(5)
The competent authority of Japan has notified the Commission of the changes concerning two recognised control bodies, as well as of five newly approved control bodies which should be reflected in the entry for Japan in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008.
(6)
The duration of inclusion of Tunisia in the list set out in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 ends on 30 June 2014. The findings of the supervision performed by the Commission indicated a need to improve the supervision of the control system by the Tunisian competent authority. Corrective actions have been taken by Tunisia and progress was made. The inclusion should be prolonged until 30 June 2015 with a view to verify the enforcement of some measures announced.
(7)
The Commission has examined the requests for inclusion in the list set out in Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008, received by 31 October 2013. Control bodies and control authorities in respect of which the subsequent examination of all information received led to the conclusion that they complied with the relevant requirements should be included in that list.
(8)
Annexes III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(9)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the regulatory Committee on organic production,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation.
Article 2
Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation.
Article 3
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 16 June 2014.