COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMVIUNITIES 
COM(90) 518 final 
Brussels, 12 December 1990 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
amerriing Regulation (EBC) No 802/68 
on the common definition of the concept of the origin of goods 
(presented by the Commission) 
SlAÉéABÏ 
This proposal for a Council Regulation Is Intended to include petroleum 
products under normal Community non-preferential origin rules. 
Explanatory Memorandum 
1. Community non-preferential origin rules are set down In Council 
Regulation (EEC) No. 802/68 on the common definition of the origin of 
goods, as amended^1). At the time of drafting the 1968 Regulation, 
petroleum products were specifically excluded from the scope of its 
application. Member States, therefore, have continued to apply their 
own national origin provisions to petroleum products. 
2. In the approach to the completion of the single market in 1992, 
harmonization of origin rules for petroleum products is a necessity. 
Following analysis of existing national origin rules in this area and 
detailed discussion in the Origin Committee, it appears appropriate 
to include petroleum products under the scope of the Community non-
preferential origin rules, established by Regulation (EEC) 
No. 802/68, referred to above. 
3. The attached proposal for a Council Regulation is Intended therefore 
to remove the present exclusion of petroleum products in Regulation 
(EEC) No. 802/68. 
(1) 0J No. L 148 Of 28.6.1968, p. 1. 
Proposal for 
Council Regulation (EBC) No 
of 
amending Regulation (EBC) No 802/68 
on the common definition of the concept of the origin of goods 
TBE OOONGIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Ccmmunity, 
and in particular Article 113 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas Regulation (EBC) No 802/68,1 as last amended by Council Regulation 
(EBC) No 1769/892 provides that the said Regulation shall not apply to the 
petroleum products listed in Annex I; 
Whereas in the absence of a common definition of the origin of petroleum 
products, Member States apply the provisions of their national law; 
whereas those national provisions differ from one another and may give rise 
to differing results with regard to the application of customs duties or 
measures and instruments of œmmercial policy; 
Whereas with a view to the completion of the internal market on 
31 December 1992, it would appear essential that those provisions be 
harmonized; 
Whereas the most appropriate way to harmonize the said provisions is to 
make Regulation No 802/68 applicable to tho petroleum products in question, 
1 OJNOL 148, 28.6.1968, p.l. 
2 OJ NO L 174, 22.6.1989, p.11. 
_ 2 -
HAS ADOPTED ISIS RH3JLATICK: 
Article 1 
Article 3 of Regulation No 802/68 and Annex I thereto are hereby deleted. 
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 binding in its entirety and directly applicable in 
all Member States. 
Done at , For the Council 
The President 
competitiveness and employment Impact statement 
I. What Is the main reason for Introducing the measure? 
This measure Is Intended to Include petroleum products in the general 
framework of non-preferential origin rules established under Council 
Regulation (EEC) No. 802/68. It Is Intended to ensure harmonized 
treatment of such products within the customs union. 
11. Imp IIcatlons. for SME 
It is not anticipated that this proposed Regulation will Introduce a 
significant departure from present practice. For this reason, its 
impact on SME will be negligable. 
111 -JLiXjftClL 
IV, None. 
What indirect obligations are national, regional or local authorities 
None additional to present requirements. 
V. Are there any special provisions In respect of SME? 
None. 
vi. What Is the iiKolv effect on: 
a) competitiveness of business? 
No change from present position. 
b) on employment? 
No change from present position. 
VM. Have relevant representative associations been consulted? 
As this a routine harmonization exercise with no forseeable negative 
consequences, no consultation Is considered appropriate. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (90) 518 final 
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