COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1406/96 of 19 July 1996 introducing or increasing, for 1996, Community quantitative limits on re-importation into the European Community of certain textile products originating in the People's Republic of China after outward processing operations in that country

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 of 12 October 1993 on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 941/96 (2), and in particular Articles 2 and 3 (3) of Annex VII thereto, in conjunction with Article 17 thereof,

Whereas Article 2 of Annex VII to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 lays down the conditions under which quantitative limits on re-importation into the European Community of certain textile products after outward processing operations in certain third countries may be established;

Whereas Article 2 of Annex VII to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 stipulates that quantitative limits on re-imports may be established for textile products which are subject to the quantitative limits laid down in Article 2 of that Regulation;

Whereas a request has been put to the European Community by certain Member States concerning the introduction for 1996 of quantitative limits on re-importation into the European Community of certain textile products (categories 159 and 161) originating in the People's Republic of China after outward processing operations in that country; whereas direct imports of textile products falling within categories 159 and 161 are subject to the quantitative limits laid down in Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93;

Whereas Article 3 (3) of Annex VII to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 stipulates that such quantitative limits already in force may be adjusted should the need arise;

Whereas the quantitative limit in force applicable to the re-import into the European Community of textile products of category 13 originating in the People's Republic of China after outward processing operations in that country has proved insufficient to meet applications for prior authorization submitted by Community firms; whereas direct imports of textile products falling within category 13 are subject to the quantitative limits laid down in Article 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93;

Whereas it has been deemed appropriate to establish, for 1996, the quantitative limits specified in Annex I to this Regulation on the re-importation into the European Community of certain textile products (categories 159 and 161) originating in the People's Republic of China after outward processing operations in that country;

Whereas it has been deemed appropriate to make available, for 1996, re-importation opportunities over and above the quantitative limit in force applicable to the re-import into the European Community of textile products of category 13 originating in the People's Republic of China after outward processing operations in that country;

Whereas the provisions on economic outward processing traffic contained in Community legislation should apply to the re-importation of products for which quantitative limits have been established or increased under this Regulation;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Textile Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. Re-importation into the European Community of textile products of category 159 and 161, specified in Annex I to this Regulation, originating in the People's Republic of China after outward processing operations in that country shall be subject, for 1996, to the quantitative limits set out in that Annex to be administered in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Community Regulations on economic outward processing.

2. The additional quantities listed in Annex II to this Regulation may be re-imported into the Community, for 1996, over and above the quantitative limit specified in the Annex to Protocol E of the Agreement between the European Community and the People's Republic of China on trade in textile products (3) applicable to the re-importation into the Community of textile products of category 13 originating in the People's Republic of China after outward processing operations in that country. Such additional quantities shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Community regulations on economic outward processing.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 19 July 1996.

For the Commission

Leon BRITTAN

Vice-President

(1) OJ No L 275, 8. 11. 1993, p. 1.

(2) OJ No L 128, 29. 5. 1996, p. 15.

(3) OJ No L 81, 30. 3. 1996, p. 318.

ANNEX I

QUANTITATIVE LIMITS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 1 (1)

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ANNEX II

ADDITIONAL QUANTITIES REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 1 (2)

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