COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM (89) 558 final 
Brussels, 15 November 1989 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
modifying the amounts expressed 
in ecus in Regulation (EEC) Mo 1135/88 concerning the definition of the 
concept of 'originating products' and methods of administrative 
coopertion in trade between the customs territory of the 
Community, Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands 
(presented by the Commission) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The preferential tariff treatment accorded to trade between the customs 
territory of the Community and the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla is 
subject to the presentation of an EUR.1 movement certificate. However, 
Articles 6 and 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1135/88(1) provide for a 
derogation from this principle where a certain limited value expressed in 
ecus is not exceeded. At present, therefore, an importer's declaration of 
origin on the invoice is sufficient for goods whose value does not exceed 310 
ECU. Lastly, documentary evidence is not required for travellers' personal 
luggage whose value does not exceed 880 ECU. 
Under Article 6 the Value applicable to the ecu, based on its value on a 
specific date, is frozen for two years. This reference date is changed 
automatically every two years. 
In the Member States with the strongest currencies, this automatic change 
entails a reduction in the national currency equivalent of the limits 
expressed in ecus. 
The amounts expressed in ecus must therefore be increased so as to maintain 
their real value expressed in the national currency, in order that the 
benefits of the administrative simplicfications linked to these amounts are 
not diminished. 
To take account of the above, the proposed draft Council Regulation would 
raise the limits from 4400 and 310 ECU to 4800 and 340 ECU respectively. 
1 OJ NO L 114, 2.5.1988, p. 1 
Draft 
Council Regulation (EEC) No /89 modifying the amounts expressed 
in ecus in Regulation (EEC) No 1135/88 concerning the definition of the 
concept of 'originating products' and methods of administrative 
coopertion in trade between the customs territory of the 
Community, Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, 
Having regard to the Act of Accession of Spain and Protugal, and in 
particular Article 9 of Protocol No 2 thereto, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas Articles 6 and 17 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1135/88(1) contain 
amounts expressed in ecus, 
Whereas the amounts equivalent to the ecu in certain national currencies 
applying on 3 October 1988 were below the corresponding amounts applying on 1 
October 1986; whereas, owing to the automatic change in the reference date 
laid down in Article 6(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 1135/88, conversion into the 
national currencies under consideration would result in a reduction of the 
actual limits regarding simplified documentary evidence, referred to in 
Articles 6 and 17 of the said Regulation; whereas to avoid such an effect, 
the limits expressed in ecus should be raised, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
1 OJNoL 114, 2.5.1988, p. 1. 
XXI/1028/89-EN 
- 2 -
Article 1 
Regulation (EEC) No 1135/88 is hereby amended as follows: 
in Article 6(1)(c) the amount "4400 ECU" shall be replaced by 
"4800 ECU"; 
in Article 17(2) the amount "310 ECU" shall be replaced by "ECU 340" and 
the amount "880 ECU" by "960 ECU". 
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its 
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 
This Regulation shall be hinding in its entirety and directly applicable in 
all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Council 
The President 
Impact Statement SME 
This proposal concerns the biannual revision of value limits expressed in Ecu 
for documentary evidence of origin required for a preferential tariff 
treatment. 
It is proposed to increase the amounts expressed in Ecu so as to maintain 
their real value expressed in the national currency, in order that the 
benefits of the administrative simplification linked to these amounts are not 
diminished. 
Consequently this proposal provides for a minor advantage for SME. 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (89). 558 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 02 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-89-534-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-54963-7 
Office foi Official Publications of the European Communities 
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