COMVIISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(94) 395 final 
Brussels, 27.09.1994 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 
amending Regulation (EEC) No 3677/89 as regards the 
total alcoholic strength by volume of certain 
quality wines imported from Hungary and Romania 
(presented by the Commission) 
z 
Explanatory memorandum 
Under Regulation (EEC) No 36 77/89, since the end of 1989 the Community has 
granted a derogation from the "Community 15* vol. ale. rule" for certain 
high-quality wines originating in Hungary (in particular Tokaj wines), 
permitting the import into the Community of wines having a total alconolic 
strength by volume above the usual maximum limit of 15'i. This derogation, 
granted to Hungary for an initial trial period of nine months and then 
extended several times pending the conclusion of a bilateral agreement on 
trade in wine between the Community and Hungary, expired on 31 August 1994. 
The purpose of this proposal is to grant that derogation for an indefinite 
period, as the Community committed itself to doing when concluding the 
Agreement with Hungary on the reciprocal protection and control of wine 
names. In addition, and in accordance with the undertaking made-on the 
conclusion of the similar Agreement with Romania, this proposal provides for 
a similar indefinite derogation forcertain nigh-quality Romanian wines. The 
two Agreements referred to above entered into force on 1 March 1994 (Romania) 
and 1 April 1994 (Hungary). 
Budgetary consequences: this proposal has no financial consequences for the 
Community budget. 
_Iiripact_ on SMEn : thei e will be no impact on the coinpot i t i vene:;:; ol 
SME:. and no addition to their costs. 
J 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No ..../94 
Of ..1994 
amending Regulation (EEC) No 3677/89 as regards the 
total alcoholic strength by volume of certain 
quality wines imported from Hungary and Romania 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the 
common organization of the market in wine<*), as last amended by 
Regulation (EEC) No 1891/94(2), and in particular Article 70(2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas under Article 70(1)(b) of Regulation (EEC) No 822/87, wines 
intended for direct: human consumption, other than sparkling wines and 
liqueur wines, originating in third countries may not be imported into the 
Community if they have a total alcoholic strength by volume exceeding 15% 
vol; 
Whereas under Council Regulation (EEC) No 3677/89 of 7 December 1989 on the 
total alcoholic strength by volume and the total acidity of certain 
imported quality wines and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2931/80(-*), as 
last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 2606/93<4), a derogation was granted 
from this principle for certain third-country wines pursuant to 
Article 70(2)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 822/87; whereas the derogation 
applicable to certain Hungarian wines was granted for a trial period which 
expired on 31 August 1994; 
(1) OJ No L 84, 27.3.1987, p. 1. 
(2) OJ No L 19 7, 3 0.7.1994, p. 42. 
(3) OJ No L 2 32, 9.8.1989, p. 1. 
(4) OJ No L 239, 24.9.1993, p. 6. 
V 
Whereas on conclusion of the Agreements between the European Community and 
Hungary and Romania on the reciprocal protection and control of wine 
namesP) the community undertook to grant the derogation applicable to 
Hungarian wines for an indefinite period and to grant a similar derogation 
for certain high-quality wines originating in Romania; «whereas Regulation 
(EEC) No 3677/89 must therefore be amended accordingly, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Article 1 
Article 1 of Regulation (EEC) No 3677/89 is hereby amended as follows: 
l.The following point (d) is added to paragraph 1: 
"(d) wines originating in Romania, whose total alcoholic strength by 
volume exceeds 157. vol, without enrichment, where they are 
designated by "VSOC" or "Vinuri de calitate superioara cu 
denumire de origine si trepte de calitate" (wine of superior 
quality with a designation of origin and degree of quality) and 
having one of the following geographic indications: 
Cernavoda 
Cotnari 
Medgidia 
Murfatlar 
Nazarcea 
Pietroasa." 
/. In paragraph 2, the words "For the purposes of paragraph 1(b) and (e)," 
are replaced by "For the purposes of paragraph 1(b), (c) and (d),". 
3. Paragraph 3 is deleted. 
(5) OJ No L 337, 31.12.1993, pp 94 and 178. 
Article 1 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the 
official Journal of the European Communities-
Article 1^3^ however,, shall apply from i September 1994-
This Regulation shall be binding in its «ntixety and directly applicable in 
all Ites&er States. 
Done at fir^ssels, F*ar tëh* Council 
3*be f»resiaâ«nt 
6 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(94) 395 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 1103 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-415-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-80639-7 
Offîce for Official Publications of the European Communities 
Lr2985 Luxembourg