Protocol

to the Europe Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the other part, on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial products (PECA)

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC, hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",

WHEREAS the Slovak Republic has applied for membership of the European Union and such membership implies the effective implementation of the acquis of the European Community,

RECOGNISING that the progressive adoption and implementation of Community law by the Slovak Republic provides the opportunity to extend certain benefits of the Internal Market and to ensure its effective operation in certain sectors before accession,

CONSIDERING THAT, in the sectors covered by this Protocol, the Slovak Republic national law substantially takes over the Community law,

CONSIDERING their shared commitment to the principles of free movement of goods and to promoting product quality, so as to ensure the health and safety of their citizens and the protection of the environment, including through technical assistance and other forms of cooperation between them,

DESIRING to conclude a Protocol to the Europe Agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial products (hereinafter referred to as this Protocol) providing for the application of the mutual acceptance of industrial products which fulfil the requirements for being lawfully placed on the market in one of the Parties and of the mutual recognition of the results of conformity assessment of industrial products which are subject to Community or national law, noting that Article 75 of the Europe Agreement provides, where appropriate, for the conclusion of an agreement on mutual recognition,

NOTING the close relationship between the European Community and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the Agreement on the European Economic Area, which makes it appropriate to consider the conclusion of a parallel European Conformity Assessment Agreement between the Slovak Republic and these countries equivalent to this Protocol,

BEARING IN MIND their status as Contracting Parties to the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation, and conscious in particular of their obligations under the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Purpose

The purpose of this Protocol is to facilitate the elimination by the Parties of technical barriers to trade in respect of industrial products. The means to this end is the progressive adoption and implementation by the Slovak Republic of national law, which is equivalent to Community law.

This Protocol provides for:

1. the mutual acceptance of industrial products, listed in the Annexes on mutual acceptance of industrial products, which fulfil the requirements for being lawfully placed on the market in one of the Parties;

2. the mutual recognition of the results of conformity assessment of industrial products subject to Community law and to the equivalent Slovak Republic national law, both listed in the Annexes on mutual recognition of results of conformity assessment.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purpose of this Protocol,

- "industrial products" means products as specified in Article 9 of the Europe Agreement,

- "Community law" means any legal act and implementing practice of the European Community applicable to a particular situation, risk or category of industrial products, as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the European Communities,

- "national law" means any legal act and implementing practice by which the Slovak Republic takes over the Community law applicable to a particular situation, risk or category of industrial products.

The terms used in this Protocol shall have the meaning given in Community law and Slovak Republic national law.

Article 3

Alignment of legislation

For the purpose of this Protocol, the Slovak Republic agrees to take appropriate measures, in consultation with the Commission of the European Communities, to maintain or complete the take-over of Community law, in particular in the fields of standardisation, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance, general safety of products, and producer's liability.

Article 4

Mutual acceptance of industrial products

The Parties agree that, for the purpose of mutual acceptance, industrial products listed in the Annexes on mutual acceptance of industrial products, which fulfil the requirements for being lawfully placed on the market of a Party, may be placed on the market of the other Party, without further restriction. This shall be without prejudice to Article 36 of the Europe Agreement.

Article 5

Mutual recognition of the results of conformity assessment procedures

The Parties agree to recognise the results of conformity assessment procedures carried out in accordance with the Community or national law listed in the Annexes on mutual recognition of the results of conformity assessment. The Parties shall not require procedures to be repeated, nor shall they impose additional requirements, for the purposes of accepting that conformity.

Article 6

Safeguard clause

Where a Party finds that an industrial product placed on its territory by virtue of this Protocol, and used in accordance with its intended use, may compromise the safety or health of users or other persons, or any other legitimate concern protected by legislation identified in the Annexes, it may take appropriate measures to withdraw such a product from the market, to prohibit its placing on the market, putting into service or use, or to restrict its free movement. The Annexes shall provide for the procedure to be applied in such cases.

Article 7

Extension of coverage

As the Slovak Republic adopts and implements further national law taking over Community law, the Parties may amend the Annexes or conclude new ones, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 14.

Article 8

Origin

The provisions of this Protocol shall apply to industrial products irrespective of their origin.

Article 9

Obligation of Parties as regards their authorities and bodies

The Parties shall ensure that authorities under their jurisdiction which are responsible for the effective implementation of Community and national law shall continuously apply it. Further, they shall ensure that these authorities are able, where appropriate, to notify, suspend, remove suspension and withdraw notification of bodies, to ensure the conformity of industrial products with Community or national law or to require their withdrawal from the market.

The Parties shall ensure that bodies, notified under their respective jurisdiction to assess conformity in relation to requirements of Community or national law specified in the Annexes, continuously comply with the requirements of Community or national law. Further, they shall take all necessary steps to ensure that these bodies maintain the necessary competence to carry out the tasks for which they are notified.

Article 10

Notified bodies

Initially, the bodies notified for the purpose of this Protocol shall be those included in the lists which the Slovak Republic and the Community have exchanged before the completion of the procedures for entry into force.

Afterwards, the following procedure shall apply for the notification of bodies to assess conformity in relation to the requirements of Community or national law specified in the Annexes:

(a) Each Party shall forward its notification to the other Party in writing;

(b) on the acknowledgement of the other Party, given in writing, the body shall be considered as notified and as competent to assess conformity in relation to the requirements specified in the Annexes from that date.

If a Party decides to withdraw a notified body under its jurisdiction, it shall inform the other Party in writing. The body shall cease to assess conformity in relation to the requirements specified in the Annexes from the date of its withdrawal at the latest. Nevertheless, conformity assessment carried out before that date shall remain valid, unless otherwise decided by the Association Council.

Article 11

Verification of notified bodies

Each Party may request the other Party to verify the technical competence and compliance of a notified body under its jurisdiction. Such request shall be justified in order to allow the Party responsible for the notification to carry out the requested verification and report speedily to the other Party. The Parties may also jointly examine the body, with the participation of the relevant authorities. To this end, the Parties shall ensure the full cooperation of bodies under their jurisdiction. The Parties shall take all appropriate steps, and use whatever available means may be necessary, with a view to resolving any problems which are detected.

If the problems cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of both Parties, they may notify the chairman of the Association Council of their dissent, giving their reasons. The Association Council may decide on appropriate action.

Unless and until decided otherwise by the Association Council, the notification of the body and the recognition of its competence to assess conformity in relation to the requirements of Community or national law specified in the Annexes shall be suspended in part or totally from the date on which the disagreement of the Parties has been notified to the chairman of the Association Council.

Article 12

Exchange of information and cooperation

In order to ensure a correct and uniform application and interpretation of this Protocol, the Parties, their authorities and their notified bodies shall:

(a) exchange all relevant information concerning implementation of law and practice including, in particular, on procedure to ensure compliance of notified bodies;

(b) take part, as appropriate, in the relevant mechanisms of information, coordination and other related activities of the Parties;

(c) encourage their bodies to cooperate with a view to establishing mutual recognition arrangements in the voluntary sphere.

Article 13

Confidentiality

Representatives, experts and other agents of the Parties shall be required, even after their duties have ceased, not to disclose information acquired under this Protocol which is of the kind covered by the obligation of professional secrecy. This information may not be used for purposes other than those envisaged by this Protocol.

Article 14

Management of the Protocol

Responsibility for the effective functioning of this Protocol shall be held by the Association Council in conformity with Article 104 of the Europe Agreement. In particular, it shall have the power to take decisions regarding:

(a) amending the Annexes;

(b) adding new Annexes;

(c) appointing a joint team or teams of experts to verify the technical competence of a notified body and its compliance with the requirements;

(d) changing information on proposed and actual modifications of the Community and national law referred to in the Annexes;

(e) considering new or additional conformity assessment procedures affecting a sector covered by an Annex;

(f) resolving any questions relating to the application of this Protocol.

The Association Council may delegate the above responsibilities set out under this Protocol, in conformity with Article 108(2) of the Europe Agreement.

Article 15

Technical cooperation and assistance

The Community may provide technical cooperation and assistance to the Slovak Republic where necessary in order to support the effective implementation and application of this Protocol.

Article 16

Agreements with other countries

Agreements on conformity assessment concluded by either Party with a country which is not a Party to this Protocol shall not entail an obligation upon the other Party to accept the results of conformity assessment procedures carried out in that third country, unless there is an explicit agreement between the Parties in the Association Council.

Article 17

Entry into force

This Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Parties have exchanged diplomatic notes confirming the completion of their respective procedures for entry into force of the Protocol.

Article 18

Status of the Protocol

This Protocol constitutes an integral part of the Europe Agreement.

This Protocol is drawn up in two originals in the Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Slovak languages, each text being equally authentic.

Hecho en Bruselas, el veintiséis de febrero del dos mil tres./Udfærdiget i Bruxelles den seksogtyvende februar to tusind og tre./Geschehen zu Brüssel am sechsundzwanzigsten Februar zweitausendunddrei./Έγινε στις Βρυξέλλες, στις είκοσι έξι Φεβρουαρίου δύο χιλιάδες τρία./Done at Brussels on the twenty-sixth day of February in the year two thousand and three./Fait à Bruxelles, le vingt-six février deux mille trois./Fatto a Bruxelles, addì ventisei febbraio duemilatre./Gedaan te Brussel, de zesentwintigste februari tweeduizenddrie./Feito em Bruxelas, em vinte e seis de Fevereiro de dois mil e três./Tehty Brysselissä kahdentenakymmenentenäkuudentena päivänä helmikuuta vuonna kaksituhattakolme./Som skedde i Bryssel den tjugosjätte februari tjugohundratre./Dané v Bruseli, dna dvadsiateho siesteho februára, v roku dvestisíc tri.

Por la Comunidad Europea/For Det Europæiske Fællesskab/Für die Europäische Gemeinschaft/Για την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα/For the European Community/Pour la Communauté européenne/Per la Comunità europea/Voor de Europese Gemeenschap/Pela Comunidade Europeia/Euroopan yhteisön puolesta/För Europeiska gemenskapen

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Za Slovenskú republiku

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ANNEX

ANNEX

on mutual acceptance of industrial products

(for the record)

ANNEX

on mutual recognition of results of conformity assessment

Table of contents

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MACHINERY

SECTION I

COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL LAW

>TABLE>

SECTION II

NOTIFYING AUTHORITIES

>TABLE>

SECTION III

NOTIFIED BODIES

European Community

Bodies which have been notified by the Member States of the Community in accordance with the Community law of Section I and notified to the Slovak Republic in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

Slovak Republic

Bodies which have been designated by the Slovak Republic in accordance with the national law of Section I and notified to the Community in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

SECTION IV

SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS

Safeguard clauses

A. Safeguard clause relating to industrial products

1. Where a Party has taken a measure to deny free access to its market for industrial products bearing the CE marking, subject to this Annex, it shall immediately inform the other Party, indicating the reasons for its decision and how non-compliance has been assessed.

2. The Parties shall consider the matter and the evidence brought to their knowledge, and shall report to each other the results of their investigations.

3. Where there is agreement on the outcome of such investigations, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

4. Where there is no agreement, the matter shall be forwarded to the Association Council who may decide to have an expert appraisal carried out.

5. Where the Association Council finds that the measure is:

(a) unjustified, the national authority of the Party which took the measure shall withdraw it;

(b) justified, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

B. Safeguard clause relating to harmonised standards

1. Where the Slovak Republic considers that a harmonised standard referred to in the legislation defined in this Annex does not meet the essential requirements of such legislation, it shall inform the Association Council giving the reasons therefor.

2. The Association Council shall consider the matter and may request the Community to proceed in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Community legislation identified in this Annex.

3. The Community shall keep the Association Council and the other Party informed of the proceedings.

4. The outcome of the procedure shall be notified to the other Party.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

SECTION I

COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL LAW

>TABLE>

SECTION II

NOTIFYING AUTHORITIES

>TABLE>

SECTION III

NOTIFIED BODIES

European Community

Bodies which have been notified by the Member States of the Community in accordance with the Community law of Section I and notified to the Slovak Republic in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

Slovak Republic

Bodies which have been designated by the Slovak Republic in accordance with the national law of Section I and notified to the Community in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

SECTION IV

SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS

Safeguard clauses

A. Safeguard clause relating to industrial products

1. Where a Party has taken a measure to deny free access to its market for industrial products bearing the CE marking, subject to this Annex, it shall immediately inform the other Party, indicating the reasons for its decision and how non-compliance has been assessed.

2. The Parties shall consider the matter and the evidence brought to their knowledge, and shall report to each other the results of their investigations.

3. Where there is agreement on the outcome of such investigations, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

4. Where there is no agreement, the matter shall be forwarded to the Association Council who may decide to have an expert appraisal carried out.

5. Where the Association Council finds that the measure is:

(a) unjustified, the national authority of the Party who has taken the measure shall withdraw it;

(b) justified, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

B. Safeguard clause relating to harmonised standards

1. Where the Slovak Republic considers that a harmonised standard referred to in the legislation defined in this Annex does not meet the essential requirements of such legislation, it shall inform the Association Council giving the reasons therefor.

2. The Association Council shall consider the matter and may request the Community to proceed in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Community legislation identified in this Annex.

3. The Community shall keep the Association Council and the other Party informed of the proceedings.

4. The outcome of the procedure shall be notified to the other Party.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

SECTION I

COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL LAW

>TABLE>

SECTION II

NOTIFYING AUTHORITIES

>TABLE>

SECTION III

NOTIFIED BODIES

European Community

Bodies which have been notified by the Member States of the Community in accordance with the Community law of Section I and notified to the Slovak Republic in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

Slovak Republic

Bodies which have been designated by the Slovak Republic in accordance with the national law of Section I and notified to the Community in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

SECTION IV

SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS

Safeguard clauses

A. Safeguard clause relating to industrial products

1. Where a Party has taken a measure to deny free access to its market for industrial products bearing the CE marking, subject to this Annex, it shall immediately inform the other Party, indicating the reasons for its decision and how non-compliance has been assessed.

2. The Parties shall consider the matter and the evidence brought to their knowledge, and shall report to each other the results of their investigations.

3. Where there is agreement on the outcome of such investigations, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

4. Where there is no agreement, the matter shall be forwarded to the Association Council who may decide to have an expert appraisal carried out.

5. Where the Association Council finds that the measure is:

(a) unjustified, the national authority of the Party which took the measure shall withdraw it;

(b) justified, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

B. Safeguard clause relating to harmonised standards

1. Where the Slovak Republic considers that a harmonised standard referred to in the legislation defined in this Annex does not meet the essential requirements of such legislation, it shall inform the Association Council giving the reasons therefor.

2. The Association Council shall consider the matter and may request the Community to proceed in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Community legislation identified in this Annex.

3. The Community shall keep the Association Council and the other Party informed of the proceedings.

4. The outcome of the procedure shall be notified to the other Party.

ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY

SECTION I

COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL LAW

>TABLE>

SECTION II

NOTIFYING AUTHORITIES

>TABLE>

SECTION III

NOTIFIED AND COMPETENT BODIES

European Community

Bodies which have been notified by the Member States of the Community in accordance with the Community law of Section I and notified to the Slovak Republic in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

Slovak Republic

Bodies which have been designated by the Slovak Republic in accordance with the national law of Section I and notified to the Community in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

SECTION IV

SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS

Safeguard clauses

A. Safeguard clause relating to industrial products

1. Where a Party has taken a measure to deny free access to its market for industrial products bearing the CE marking, subject to this Annex, it shall immediately inform the other Party, indicating the reasons for its decision and how non-compliance has been assessed.

2. The Parties shall consider the matter and the evidence brought to their knowledge, and shall report to each other the results of their investigations.

3. Where there is agreement on the outcome of such investigations, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

4. Where there is no agreement, the matter shall be forwarded to the Association Council who may decide to have an expert appraisal carried out.

5. Where the Association Council finds that the measure is:

(a) unjustified, the national authority of the Party which took the measure shall withdraw it;

(b) justified, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

B. Safeguard clause relating to harmonised standards

1. Where the Slovak Republic considers that a harmonised standard referred to in the legislation defined in this Annex does not meet the essential requirements of such legislation, it shall inform the Association Council giving the reasons therefor.

2. The Association Council shall consider the matter and may request the Community to proceed in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Community legislation identified in this Annex.

3. The Community shall keep the Association Council and the other Party informed of the proceedings.

4. The outcome of the procedure shall be notified to the other Party.

EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS INTENDED FOR USE IN POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES

SECTION I

COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL LAW

>TABLE>

SECTION II

NOTIFYING AUTHORITIES

>TABLE>

SECTION III

NOTIFIED BODIES

European Community

Bodies which have been notified by the Member States of the Community in accordance with the Community law of Section I and notified to the Slovak Republic in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

Slovak Republic

Bodies which have been designated by the Slovak Republic in accordance with the national law of Section I and notified to the Community in accordance with Article 10 of this Protocol.

SECTION IV

SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS

1. Transitional arrangements

The certificates issued in the EC Member States in conformity with Directives 76/117/EEC, 79/196/EEC and 82/130/EEC will be recognised as a proof of conformity assessment under Article 33 paragraphs 1 and 2 of Act 264/1999 Coll., on Technical Requirements for Products and on Conformity Assessment and on change and amendment of some Acts. Based on these certificates, the importer of these products in the Slovak Republic will issue a declaration of conformity of the relevant product to the applicable requirements referred to in this paragraph.

2. Safeguard clauses

A. Safeguard clause relating to industrial products

1. Where a Party has taken a measure to deny free access to its market for industrial products bearing the CE marking, subject to this Annex, it shall immediately inform the other Party, indicating the reasons for its decision and how non-compliance has been assessed.

2. The Parties shall consider the matter and the evidence brought to their knowledge, and shall report to each other the results of their investigations.

3. Where there is agreement on the outcome of such investigations, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

4. Where there is no agreement, the matter shall be forwarded to the Association Council who may decide to have an expert appraisal carried out.

5. Where the Association Council finds that the measure is:

(a) unjustified, the national authority of the Party which took the measure shall withdraw it;

(b) justified, the Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that such products are not placed on the market.

B. Safeguard clause relating to harmonised standards

1. Where the Slovak Republic considers that a harmonised standard referred to in the legislation defined in this Annex does not meet the essential requirements of such legislation, it shall inform the Association Council giving the reasons therefor.

2. The Association Council shall consider the matter and may request the Community to proceed in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Community legislation identified in this Annex.

3. The Community shall keep the Association Council and the other Party informed of the proceedings.

4. The outcome of the procedure shall be notified to the other Party.

DECLARATION BY THE COMMUNITY ON THE ATTENDANCE OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS

In order to ensure a better understanding of the practical aspects of the application of the acquis communautaire, the Community declares that the Slovak Republic is invited, under the following conditions, to the meetings of the committees established or referred to under the Community law on machinery, personal protective equipment, electromagnetic compatibility and equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

This participation shall be limited to meetings or parts thereof during which the application of the acquis is discussed; it shall not entail attendance at meetings intended to prepare and issue opinions on implementation or management powers delegated to the Commission by the Council.

This invitation may be extended, on a case-by-case basis, to groups of experts convened by the Commission.