Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (Chapter 27)

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

During the last quarter of 1998, the Commission, assisted by the economic tariff questions section of the Customs Code Committee, has reviewed the request for the suspension of Common Customs Tariff duties presented to it by the Member States in respect of crude paraffin for undergoing a specific treatment, fractional crystallisation.

The period of validity of the proposed measure is unspecified, since its purpose is to amend Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 2658/87, the period of validity of which is itself unspecified.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (Chapter 27)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, in particular Article 28 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (1), as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2261/98 of 26 October 1998 (2), suspends customs duties in respect of goods of subheading 2712 90 31 intended for undergoing a specific process; whereas the said specific processes are described in Additional Note 4 to Chapter 27 of the Combined Nomenclature;

(1) OJ L 256, 7.9.1987, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 292, 30.10.1998, p. 1.

Whereas it is in the Community interest to extend the suspension of customs duties to goods of subheading 2712 90 31 intended for de-oiling by fractional crystallisation to take account of eco-friendly technological developments and improve the competitiveness of European firms,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

In the schedule of duties in Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff, the following item shall be added to Additional Note 4 to Chapter 27:

"p) solely for products under subheading 2712 90 31: de-oiling by fractional crystallisation".

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of 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,

For the Council

The President

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. TITLE OF OPERATION

Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (Chapter 27).

2. BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED

Chapter 12, Article 120.

3. LEGAL BASIS

Article 28 of the EC Treaty.

4. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

Suspension of CCT duties in respect of crude paraffin for undergoing a specific process, fractional crystallisation.

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT

There should be no financial repercussions as the suspension of duties is already allowed by virtue of another specific process, extraction by means of selective solvents.

8. FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES

Checks on the end-use of the products concerned will be carried out in accordance with Articles 291 to 304 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code.