COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 20.06.1995 
COM(95) 281 final 
95/0153 (ACC) 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the progressive dismantling of certain quantitative restrictions on 
imports of certain ECSC products 
(presented by the Commission) 

Explanatory memorandum 
Article 26 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 on the common rules for imports 
stipulates that residual national restrictions relating to products covered by the ECSC 
Treaty should be progressively dismantled in accordance with the provisions of the 
Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO), and in particular the 
provisions of the Agreement on Safeguards. 
The national restrictions in question have for many years been applied by Spain to imports 
of coal, briquettes, etc. 
Under the Agreement on Safeguards a timetable should be presented to the Committee on 
Safeguards for phasing out measures within a four-year period following the entry into 
force of the WTO Agreement. This period ends on 31 December 1998. 
On 2 March 1995 the Commission notified the Committee on Safeguards of the national 
restrictions in question. It must now notify it by 1 July 1995 of the timetable for 
dismantling them. 
The appropriate measures must therefore be adopted and the Member State in question 
must make provision for a progressive increase in imports of these products with a view 
to their definitive liberalization. 
The quantities given in the Annex to this Decision take account of the need for this 
Member State and the economic sectors concerned to prepare gradually for this 
liberalization, which can already be achieved from I January 1998. 
Proposai for a 
Council Decision (EC) No...795 
of....l995 
on the progressive dismantling of certain quantitative restrictions on 
imports of certain ECSC products 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular 
Article 113 thereof, 
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 of 22 December 1994 on the 
common rules for imports and repealing Regulation (EC) No 518/94, and in particular 
Articles 23 and 26 thereof,1 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas Spain has for many years applied quantitative restrictions to imports of certain 
ECSC products originating in third countries; whereas these restrictions apply to imports 
of products falling within CN codes 2701 11, 2701 12 90 and 2701 19; 
Whereas due account was taken when Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 was adopted of the 
Community's international obligations, particularly those deriving from the Agreement 
establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO); 
Whereas Article 26 of Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 stipulates that residual national 
restrictions relating to products covered by the ECSC Treaty shall be progressively 
dismantled in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement establishing the WTO, 
which include coal and steel products; 
1 OJ No L 349, 31.12.1994, p.53. 
Whereas the Agreement on Safeguards, contained in Annex 1A to the WTO Agreement, 
requires the progressive elimination of measures of the type applied by Spain which are 
not covered by the provisions of GATT 1994, and specifically those of Article XIX; 
Whereas under the Agreement on Safeguards a timetable must be presented to the 
Committee on Safeguards for phasing out such measures within a period not exceeding 
four years after the date of entry into force of the WTO; whereas this process of 
elimination must therefore end by 31 December 1998; 
Whereas on 2 March 1995 the Commission notified the Committee on Safeguards of the 
national restrictions in question and it must now notify the Committee by 1 July 1995 of 
the timetable for dismantling them; 
Whereas, to this end, appropriate measures should be taken to draw up the timetable and 
arrangements for phasing out restrictions by setting annual limits which the Spanish 
authorities can apply to the imports in question, providing for a progressive increase in 
these imports with a view to their liberalization at the end of a period which may end on 
31 December 1997, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
The national restrictions applied by Spain to imports originating in third countries falling 
within CN codes 2701 11, 2701 12 90 and 2701 19 shall be eliminated by 31 December 
1997 at the latest. 
The Annex to this Decision gives the annual limits which Spain can apply to imports of the 
products listed during the above period. 
Article 2 
Spain shall charge the licences already issued at the date of entry into force of this 
Decision against the quantities for 1995. 
Article 3 
This Decision is addressed to Spain. It shall take effect on the day of its notification. 
Done at Brussels,.... 1995. 
For the Council 
The President 
Annex 
on the dismantling of national restrictions on imports of certain ECSC 
products 
Member 
State Product CN code 1995 
(tonnes) 1996 
(tonnes) 1997 
(tonnes) 1998 
(tonnes) 
Spain Anthracite 
Other 
bituminous 
coal 
Other coal 2701 11 
2701 12 90 
2701 19 10.600.000 10.800.000 11.100.000 Free import 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(95) 281 final 
DOCUMENTS 
ii 
ilr i ' « . >£ 
EN 02 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-95-312-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-90760-6 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg