ARCHIVESHISTORIQUES
DELACOMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEEDES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM(78)348
Vol.1978/0132

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COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(78)348final
Brussels.21July1978
Draft
COUNCILREGULATION
ontheimportationfreeofCommonCustomsTariff
dutiesofmaterialsfortheuseoftheblindand
,otherhandicapped persons
(submittedtotheCouncil "bytheCommission)
COM(78)348final

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
TheAgreementontheimportationofeducational,scientific and
culturalmaterials,adoptedbytheGeneralConferenceofUNFSCOatitsfifth
session,heldinFlorenceinJuly1950,providesforthegrantingofduty-
freeentryforcertainarticlesfortheblind.
Theseprovisions arecurrentlyincludedinCouncilRegulation (EEC)
No1798/75of10July1975ontheimportation freeofCommonCustomsTariff
dutiesofeducational,scientific andculturalmaterials <1).
Atitsnineteenth session,heldinNairobiinNovember1976,the
GeneralConferenceofUNESCOadoptedaprotocoltotheFlorenceAgreement
which,amongotherthings,extendsthedutyrelieffromcustomsdutiespro-,
videdforintheAgreementtoarticlesfortheblindand,undercertaincon­
ditions,toallmaterialsspeciallydesignedfortheeducation,employment
andsocialadvancement ofotherphysicallyormentallyhandicapped persons
(AnnexE).
Underpoint14(a)ofTitleVIIIoftheProtocol,theEuropeanEco­
nomicCommunityhasbeenadmittedascontractingpartytotheProtocolpro­
videdthatalltheMemberStatesconstitutingitarealsopartiesthereto.
0° ftheCouncil,onaproposalfromtheCommis-:
sion,decidedtoconcludethisProtocolonbehalfoftheCommunity(2).
Thepurposeofthisproposalforaregulationisthereforetogive
effectatCommunityleveltotheprovisicinsofAnnexE,totheProtocol
totheFlorenceAgreement.
(1)0JNoL184,15.7.1975,p.1
(2)0JNo

-2-
This Protocol stipulates that ,inorder tobegranted duty-free entry :
'-materials specially designed fortheeducational ,scientific orcultural
advancement oftheblind must beimported directly byinstitutions or
organizations concerned with theeducation of,orassistance to,the
blind ,approved bythecompetent authorities' oftheimporting country
forthepurpose ofduty-free entry ofthese types ofarticles /Annex E
(i)/.
-materials specially designed fortheeducation ,employment and social
advancement ofother physically ormentally handicapped persons must be
imported directly byinstitutions ororganizations concerned with the
education of,orassistance to,such persons ,approved bythecompetent
authorities ofthe importing country forthepurpose ofduty-free entry
ofthese types ofarticles .
Furthermore ,thegranting ofduty-free entry issubject tothecondition that
equivalent pbjects are notbeing manufactured inthe importing country
/Annex E(ii)_7.
Pursuant topoint 14 (a)ofTitle VIII ,theterm "importing country "should
betaken ,inthe case of .the European Economic Community torefer tothe
whole ofthe territories which constitute it.
Themeasures contained inthis proposal have been drawn upinaccordance
with these provisions .However ,inview oftheobjective being pursued ,.the
Commission ,after consulting therepresentatives oftheMember States ,
considered itpossible topropose tothe Council that itgobeyond the
obligations devolving upon theEuropean Economic Community asaresult of
thesignature oftheProtocol tothe Florence Agreement :
-bynot requiring thegranting ofcustoms duty-free admission formaterials
fortheuseofhandicapped persons other than theblind /Annex E(ii)_/
always tobemade subject tothe condition that articles equivalent to
those forwhich duty-free admission isrequested are notbeing manufactured
intheCommunity ,provided that thegranting ofthis concession isnot
liable toprejudice Community production ;
-*■bygranting duiy-free entry tomaterials which aresent asagift toan
approved institution ororganization without any commercial consideration ,
onthe part ofthedonor .
\

Furthermore,inordertoattainfullythedesiredobjective,theCommission
proposesthattheapprovedinstitutions ororganizations beauthorizedto
lend,hireoutortransfer,onanon-profit-makingbasis,thearticles
importedduty-freetopersonswithwhomtheyareconcerned.
Thedetailedrulesforthepracticalapplication ofthesemeasuresat
CommunitylevelwillbeadoptedbytheCommission onceithasreceivedan
opinionfromtheCommittee onDuty-freeArrangements setupbytheafore­
mentionedRegulation (EEC)No1798/75.
SincethisproposalisbasedonArticle28oftheEECTreatyitwouldnot
normallyrequiretheopinionoftheEuropeanParliament .However,inview
ofthesubjectoftheproposal,theCommission considersitdesirableto
*
seektheopinionoftheEuropeanParliament aswellasthatoftheEconomic
andSocialCommittee.

Dr?f t «
COUNCIL REGULATION
ontheimportation free ofCommon Customs Tariff
v 1 -• !
duties ofmaterials fortheuse oftheblind and
other handicapped persons
THE COUNCIL OFTHE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having ,regard totheTreaty establishing theEuropean Economic Community ,
and "inparticular Article 28thereof ,
•'• ' ' ' '
Having regard to-the ,draft Reaulatlon submitted hytheCommission ,
Having regard totheopinion ofthe European .Par Iiament , .
Having regard totheopinion ofthe Economic and Social Committee ,
Whereas ,inorder tofacilitate theeducation ,employment and social advance­
ment oftheblind andother physically ormentally handicapped persons ,the
materials specially designed forthose purposes should ,whenever possible ,
beallowed admission free ofCommon Customs Tariff duties ; j
'i
Whereas on26November 1976 the19thGeneral Conference ofUNESCO adopted |
aProtocol totheAgreement onthe Importation ofEducational ,Scientific
and Cultural ffeterials which makes provision forsuch duty-free admission ;
Whereas theEuropean Economic Community and itsMember States areContracting
Parties tothat Protocol ;
Whereas Annex Eofthesaid Protocol provides that inorder tobegranted
duty-free entry :
.-materials soecially desianed fortheeducational ,scientific orcultural ad­
vancement oftheblind must beimported directly byinstitutions ororganization
concerned with theeducation of,orassistance to,theblind ,approved bythe
competent authorities oftheimporting country forthepurpose ofduty-free
entry ofthese types ofarticles ;
-materials specially designed fortheeducation ,employment andsocial ,sdvancemen
ofother physically ormentally handicapped persons must beimported directly by (
institutions ororganizations concerned with theeducationof,orassistance to,,
sucfi persons ,approved by,thecompetent authorities -oftheimporting country for
thepurpose ofduty-free entry ofthese types o,farticles ^whereas ,furthermore ,
thegranting ofduty-free entry issubject to'the condition that equivalent objei
arenotbeing manufactured intheimporting country ;

-2-
This Protocol stipulates that ,inorder tobearantsrd duty-free entry :
-materials specially designed fortheeducational ,scientific orcultural
advancement oftheblind must beimported directly byinstitutions or
oraani zations concerned with theeHucation of,orassistance to,the
blind ,approved bythe .competent authorities oftheimoortina country for
thepurpose ofduty-free entry ofthese types ofarticles /Annex E(i)7.
Whereas ,inaccordance with' paragraph 14(a)oftheProtocol ,theterm
"importing country "must betaken torefer tothewhole oftheterritories
oftheMember States which constitute theEuropean Economic Community ;
Whereas ,totheextent that thegrant ofcustoms duty-free admission is
notliable toprejudice Community production ,itpossibly need not,where ^
materials fortheuseof .handicapped persons other than theblind areconcerned ,
bemade systematically subject tothecondition that equivalent ;
articles arenotbeing manufactured intheCommunity ;whereas ,inanyevent ,
this condition need notbeimposed iftheArticles inquestion are sent as
agift toanapproved institution ororganization without anycommercial
consideration onthe part ofthedonor ;
Whereas inorder fully toattain thedesired objective ,theapproved insti­
tutions ororganizations should beauthorized onanon-profit making basis
tolend ,hire outortransfer thearticles imported duty free totheblind
orother handicapped persons with whom they areconcerned ;
I
\
Whereas intheinterest oflogic andclarity atl theprovisions governing
theduty-free importation ofmaterials fortheuse ^oftheblind orother phy­
sically ormentally handicapped persons should bebrought together ina
single regulation ;whereas itistherefore necessary toinclude inthis
Regulation those provisions ofCouncil Regulation (EEC)No1798 /75of
10July 1975 ontheimportation free oftommon Customs Tariff duties of
educational ,scientific andcultural materials ^ which concern blind persons ;
<1)0JNoL184of15.7.1975 ,p.1 ' /
- . 1■ • .
'" « ' '
■ . -'·. ·■- - ■ · . . ·'

Whereas ,inorder topermit verification atCommunity level that theconditions
imposed forthegranting of .duty-free admission have been fulfilled ,a '.
Community procedure ofconsultation within aCommittee should beused to
allow close and effective collaboration between the Member States and the
Commission ;whereas itisalso important toensure theuniform implementa­
tion oftheprovisions ofthis Regulation and toadopt detailed rules for •
its implementation within theappropriate period oftime ;whereas forthis
purpose itisnecessary tohave recourse tothe Committee onDuty Free
Arrangements established bytheabove-mentioned _,Regulation (EEC)
No1798 /75,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
*' Title I-materials fortheuseoftheblind
'/ : '
Article 1
Materials specially designed fortheeducational ,scientific orcultural
advancement ofblind persons ,asspecified inAnnex Ihereto ,shall beadmitted
free ofCommon Customs Tariff duties irrespective ofthenature ofthe
recipient .
Article 2
1.Materials specially designed fortheeducation orscientific orcultural
advancement ofblind persons ,asspecified inAnnex IIhereto ,shall be
admitted free ofCommon Customs Tariff duties provided they areimported
directly byinstitutions ororganizations concerned with theeducation of,<
assistance to,theblind ,approved bythecompetent authorities ofthe
Member States forthepurpose ofduty-free entry ofthese types of
articles .
•\ . . ,
2.Theduty-free admission referred toinparagraph 1of'this Article
shall begranted directly ,onapplication from therecipient institution
ororganization ,bythecompetent authority oftheMember State in
whose territory itissituated .

-4-
Title II-materials forthe useofother
handicapped persons
Article 3
1.Materials specially designed fortheeducation ,employment andsocial
advancement ofphysically ormentally handicapped persons ,other than
blind persons ,shall beadmitted free ofCommon Customs Tariff duties
when :
(a)they areintended forinstitutions ,ororganizations ,that areprinci­
pally engaged intheeducation andsocial advancement oforthe
provision ofassistance tohandicapped persons andareauthorized
bythecompetent authorities oftheMember States toreceive such
articles duty-free ;
and
(b)equivalent articles are notbeing manufactured inthe Community .
However ,under theconditions laid-'down byimplementing provisions
adopted inaccordance with theprocedure referred toinArticle 7(2),
aderogation maybemade from conditions (b)above ,provided thegranting of
duty-free admission does notprejudice theproduction ofequivalent
articles within the Community .
2.Theduty-free admission referred toinparagraph 1shall apply tospare
parts ,units oraccessories forthematerials inquestion provided that
such spare parts ,units oraccessories are imported atthe same time as
•thesaid materials or,ifthey areimported atalater date ,that they
arerecognizably intended formaterials previously admitted duty-free ,
oreligible tobesoadmitted .
3.Forthepurpose ofthis Article :
whether articles areequivalent shall beassessed bycomparing the
characteristics andspecifications ofthearticle forwhich duty-free
admission isrequested with those ofthecorresponding article manu­
factured intheCommunity todetermine whether thelatter could beused
••/•«•

forthesame purposes asthose forwhich thearticle inrespect ofwhich
duty-free admission isrequested isintended andwhether itsperformance
-would becomparable tothat expected ofthe latter ; ...„
-anarticle shall beregarded asbeing manufactured intheCommunity where
itsdelivery period from thetime oftheorder isnot,account being
taken ofcommercial practices inthemanufacturing sector under conside­
ration ,appreciably longer than thedelivery period ofthearticle for
which duty-free admission isrequested ,orwhere this period does not
exceed the latter tosuch anextent that the intended purpose oruse
forwhich thearticle was initially intended would beappreciably affected
thereby .
»
Article 4
Theduty-free admission referred toinArticle 3shall begranted ,on
application from therecipient institution ororganization ^bythecompetent
authority oftheMember State inwhose territory such institution ororganization
issituated . %
Without prejudice tothe last subparagraph ofArticle 3(1),thegranting
ofduty-free admission shall beconditional onitsbeing established ,under
theconditions laid down byimplementing provisions adopted inaccordance
with theprocedure referred toinArticle 6(2),that articles equivalent ~
tothose forwhich duty-free admission isrequested arenotbeing manu - *
factured intheCommunity .
Article 5
Thegranting ofduty-free admission inrespect ofarticles sent asgifts
totheinstitutions ororganizations referred toinArticle 3(1)(a)
shall notbesubject totheconditions laid down inArticle 3.(1)(b)
orthesecond paragraph ofArticle 4.
However ,,itmust beestablished ,under theconditions laid down byimple­
menting provisions adopted inaccordance w4th theprocedure referred to
inArticle 6(2),that thegift ofthearticles inquestion hasnotbeen
prompted byanycommercial considerations onthepart ofthedonor .

Title III -common provisions
Article 6
Articles which have been admitted duty free inaccordance with the
conditions laid down inArticles 2to5may belent ,hired out or
transferred bythebeneficiary institutions ororganizations onanon-
profit-making basis totheblind orphysically ormentally handicapped
persons with whom they areconcerned without payment ofthecorrespon -
* / '"
ding customs duties .
Noloan ,hire ortransfer ,whether for aconsideration orfree ofcharge ,
maybeeffected .under conditions other than those provided for in
paragraph 1unless thecompetent -authori tieshave first been informed .
* m ■
» ,
Should anarticle belent ,hired out ortransferred toaninstitution
ororganization itself entitled tobenefit from exemption pursuant
toArticle 2(1)orArticle 3,theexemption shall continue tobegranted
provided the latter uses thearticle forpurposes giving entitlement
tosuch exemption .Inother cases ,the loan ,hire ortransfer shall be
subject toprior payment ofcustoms duties ,atthe rate applying onthe
dayoftheloan ,hire ortransfer ,onthebasis ofthetype ofgoods and
thecustoms value ascertained oraccepted onthat date bythecompetent
customs authorities .
s Article 7
TheCommittee onDuty Free Arrangements provided forinArticle .7of
■•Regulation (EEC)No1798 /75shall examine such matters relating
totheimplementation ofthis Regulation asareputtoitbyitsChair­
man,whether onhisowninitiative orattherequest oftherepresentative
ofaMember State . 1
- ι · '
Theprovisions necessary fortheimplementation ofthis Regulation shall
beadopted inaccordance with theprocedure laid down inArticle 9(2)
and (3)of Regulation (EEC)No1798 /75.

Art icle8
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1January 1979 .
This Regulation shall bebinding initsentirety anddirectly applicable
inall Member States .
Done atBrussels , Forthe Council
The President
/

ANNEX I
CCTHeading
numberDescription ofgoods
ex49.03
49.11Children 'spicture books andpainting books ,printed in
relief for the blind
■ • i
Other printed matter ,including printed pictures and
photographs :
ex0.Other,printedinreLieffortheblind

ANNEX II
JCCTHeadingnumberDescription ofgoods Recipient institution
qrorganization
48.01
48.15
ex66.02
84.51
84.53
85.15Paper andpaperboard (including cellulose
wadding ),inrolls orsheets :
exF.Other :
-Braille paper
Other paper andpaperboard ,cuttosize or
shape : ^
exB.Other .:
-Braille paper
Walking-sticks (including climbing-sticks
andseat-sticks ),canes ,whips ,riding -
crops and the like :
-White canes for the blind
Typewriters ,other than typewriters incor­
porating calculating mechanisms ;cheques -
writing machines :
exA.Typewriters :
-adapted fortheuseofblind per­
sons
Automatic data processing machines and
units thereof ;magnetic oroptical readers ,
machines fortranscribing data onto data
media incoded form andmachines forpro­
cessing such data ,notetsewhere specified
orincluded
-equipment forthemechanical production
ofbraille recorded material forthe
blind
Radiotelegraphic andradiotelephoni c
transmission andreception apparatus ;
radio-broadcasting andtelevision trans­
mission andreception apparatus (including
receivers incorporating sound recorders or
reproducers )andtelevision cameras ;radio
navigational aidapparatus ,radar apparatus
andradio remote control apparatus :All institutions or .I
organizations concerned
with theeducation of,
orassistance to,thei
blind andapproved by
the competent authorities
oftheMember States '
forthepurpose ofduty-
free entry ofthese
types ofarticles
ditto
ditto
ditto
•••/•■•

ANNEX II (contin .)
CCT Heading
number
ΓDescription ofgoodsRecipient institution
ororganisation
exA.III .Receivers ,whether ornot com­
bined with asound recorder or
reproducer :
-television-enlargers forthe
blind andpartially sighted
90.19 Orthopaedic appliances ,surgical belts ,
trusses andthe like ;splints andother
fracture appliances ;artificial limbes ,
eyes ,teeth andother artificial parts of
thebody ;hearing aids orother appliances
which areworn orcarried ,orimplanted in .
thebody ,tocompensate for adefect or
disability :
exB.Other :
.i
-electronic reading ,machines forthe
blind and partially sighted
-electronic orientatian and obstacle
detection appliances fortheblind
90.21 Instruments ,apparatus ormodels ,designed
solely ,fordemonstrational purposes (for
example ,ineducation orexhibition ),un­
suitable for other uses :
-Teaching aids andapparatus specifically
designed forthe use oftheblind
ex91.01 Pocket-atches ,wrist-watches andother
watches ,including stop-watches :
-Braille watches with cases other than
ofprecious metals
92.11 Gramophones ,dictating machines andother
sound recorders orreproducers ,including
record-players andtape decks ,with or
without sound-heads ;television image
andsound recorders orreproducers :ditto
ditto

-3- ANNEXII(contin.)
CCTHeadmg
numberDescription ofgoodsRecipientinstitution
ororganization I ororgamzation
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto92.12
97.04
VariousA.II.Soundreproducers :
-Phonographs andcassetteplayers
speciallydesignedoradapted
fortheblind
Gramophone recorders andothersoundor
similarrecordings ;matricesforthepro­
ductionofrecords,preparedrecordblanks,
filmformechanical soundrecording,pre­
paredtapes,wires,stripsandlikeart­
iclesofakindcommonlyusedforsoundor
similarrecordings :
v
exB.IIb)Other:
-Magnetictapesandcassettes
fortheproduction ofbraille
andtalkingbooks
Equipmentforparlour,tableorfunfair
gamesforadultsorchildren (including
billiardtablesandpintables andtable-
tennisrequisites ):
exB.Other:
-Tablegamesandaccessories
specially adaptedfortheuseof
theblind
-Allothermaterialspecially
designedfortheeducational ,
scientific orcultural advancement
oftheblind

Annextoaoc.
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM
Date:
1.Budgetaryline
2.Titleofaction:ProposalforaregulationoftheCouncilonthe
importationfreeofthedutiesoftheCommonCustomsTariffofobjects
intendedfortheblindandotherhandicapped persons
3-Legalbasis:Art.28oftheEECTreaty
4.Purposeoftheaction:Toincludeinasingletextbasedonthe
provisionsoftheFlorenceAgreement anditsProtocol,allmeasures
ofdutyfreeadmissionlikelytobegrantedontheimportation of
objectsintendedfortheeducational,scientific orculturaldevelop­
mentofphysically ormentallyhandicapped persons
5.Financialimplications
Sincethedutyfreeadmissionwillnowbegrantedforothercategories
ofhandicapped personsotherthantheblind(currentsystem),there
willbeadecreaseinreceipts.Thisisnotquantifiable andought
howevertoberelativelylimited.Alsoitisahumanitarian operation
whichtheCommunitycouldnotrefuse