COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(91) 255 final 
Brussels, 9 July 1991 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
amending for the fourth time Regulation (EEC) No 2390/89 laying 
down general rules for the import of wines, 
grape Juice and grape must 
nra^rawt Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
amending for the fifth time Regulation (EEC) No 1873/84 
authorizing the offer or disposal for direct human 
consumption of certain imported wines which may have 
undergone oenological processes not provided for in 
Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 
(presented by the Commission) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Imports into the Community of wine products originating in non-member 
countries are, in particular, subject to the presentation of a certificate 
of origin and conformity and an analysis report to be drawn up by official 
bodies and laboratories in the non-member countries in question. In order 
to facilitate imports of such products, in 1985 the Council relaxed by way 
of a derogation the requirements regarding the drawing up of the 
certificate and the analysis report on condition that the non-member 
country in question provided special guarantees accepted by the Community. 
Those derogating rules expire on 31 July 1991 after having been extended 
four times. 
In addition, save where a derogation is decided by the Council, wine 
originating in non-member countries which has undergone oenological 
practices not permitted by Community regulations may not be offered for 
direct human consumption in the Community. A derogation from that rule was 
granted until 26 July 1988 for wine originating in the United States as 
regards the application of certain oenological practices permitted in that 
non-member country but not allowed in the Community, and was subsequently 
extended four times until 31 July 1991. 
The Commission considers that it is necessary to extend the derogation for 
an additional period of three months (so as not to disturb trade in the 
wine sector). Such a period should be sufficient to allow the Community 
and the United States to complete their negotiations for the conclusion of 
an arrangement on the wine sector. 
Remark 
The adoption by the Council of the two abovementioned Regulations entails 
no financial consequences for the Community budget. 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 
Of 
amending for the fourth time Regulation (EEC) No 2390/89 
laying down general rules for the import of wines, 
grape Juice and grape must 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the 
common organization of the market in wined), as last amended by 
Regulation (EEC) No (2), and in particular Article 70(2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas Article 1(2) and Article 2 of Council Regulation (EEC) 
No 2390/89(3), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2579/90<4>, set 
out the import facilities for wine products originating in third countries 
which offer specific guarantees through the provision of a certificate of 
origin and conformity and an analysis report; whereas Article 3(2) of that 
Regulation limits the said facilities to a trial period expiring on 
31 July 1989; whereas, taking in into account the time necessary to 
examine the implementation of future arrangements, the abovementioned 
period should be extended for three month, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
(1) 0J No L 84, 27.3.1987, p. 1. 
(2) 0J No L 
(3) 0J No L 232, 9.12.1989, p. 7. 
(4) 0J No L 198, 28.7.1990, p. 10 
- 2 -
Article 1 
In Article 3(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 2390/89, the date "31 July 1991" is 
hereby replaced by "31 October 1991. 
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 August 1991 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in 
a 11 Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 
of 
amending for the fifth time Regulation (EEC) No 1873/84 
authorizing the offer or disposal for direct consumption of 
certain imported wines which may have undergone oenological 
processes not provided for in Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the 
common organization of the market in wined), as last amended by 
Regulation (EEC) No <2), and in particular Article 73(1) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas Article 70(1) Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 provides that imported 
products covered by that Article must be accompanied by a certificate 
attesting that they satisfy the provisions on production, release for free 
circulation and, where appropriate, disposal for direct human consumption 
in the third country in which they originate; 
Whereas Article 73(1) of that Regulation stipulates that if the imported 
products in question have undergone oenological practices not allowed by 
Community rules or not consonant with the provisions of that Regulation or 
of those adopted pursuant thereto, they may not, except by way of a 
derogation, be offered or disposed of for direct human consumption; whereas 
the Council derogated from this principle by Regulation (EEC) 
No 1873/84^3), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3888/89<4); 
whereas this derogation expires on 31 July 1991; whereas, so that 
consultations can continue between the Community and the third country 
concerned with a view to an agreement on this matter, the term of validity 
of the derogation should be extended for three months, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
(1) OJ No L 84, 27.3.1987, p. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 
(3) OJ NO L 176, 3.7.1984, p. 6. 
(4) OJ No L 378. 27.12.1989, p. 15 
- 2 -
Article 1 
In the second subparagraph of Article 1(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 1873/84, 
the date "31 July 1991" is hereby replaced by "31 October 1991." 
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 August 1991 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in 
a 11 Member States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
FICHE D'IMPACT 
Objet: 2 propositions de Règlement du Conseil 
- portant quatrième modification du règlement (CEE) no 2390/89 
établissant les règles générales pour l'importation des vins, 
des Jus et des moûts de raisins 
- portant cinquième modification du règlement (CEE) no 1873/84 
autorisant l'offre et la livraison à la consommation humaine 
directe de certains vins importés susceptibles d'avoir fait 
l'objet de pratiques oenologiques non prévues par le règlement 
(CEE) no 822/87. 
Cette mesure n'a pas d'impact sur les PME et l'emploi. 
Diese Massnahme hat weder Auswirkungen auf Klein- und Mitteibetriebe 
noch auf die Beschâftigungslage. 
This measure has no impact on the small and medium-sized businesses and 
employment. 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(91) 255 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-295-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-73964-9 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
1^2985 Luxembourg