COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0HC89) 296 final 
Brussels, 19 June 1989 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
on the application of Decision No 78^ of the EEC- (A) Joint Committee 
altering the limits expressed in ECU in Article S of Protocol 3 concerning the 
definition of the concept of originating products and methods of administrative 
cooperation 
(presented by the Commission) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Preferential tariff treatment of trade between the Community and ETTA 
countries is subject to the presentation of a movement certificate EUR.l 
However, in Article 8 of Protocol No. 3 of the EEC-EFTA Agreements a 
derogation from this principle is allowed provided that certain value limits 
expressed in ecu are not exceeded. Thus, at present, for shipments with a 
value of up to 4,400 ecu, a declaration of origin by the exporter, on the 
invoice, can be used. Furthermore, no documentation is required for small 
parcels sent by post with a value, at present, of up to 310 ecu. Lastly, no 
documentation is required for travellers' luggage with 8 value, at present, 
not exceeding 880 ecu. 
The same Article 8 provides for the applicable value of the ecu to be frozen 
for two years 8t a time, based on its value at a fixed date. Every two years 
the base date for this value is automatically changed. 
This automatic change of base date has the result that the currency 
equivalents to the limits expressed in ecu are reduced in those Member States 
or EFTA countries with stronger currencies. 
It is therefore necessary to increase the amounts expressed in ecu to 
maintain their value in real terms as expressed in national currencies so as 
to ensure that the administrative simplifications tied to these amounts ere 
not eroded. 
The proposed draft Joint Committee Decision is intended to raise the limits 
of 4,400 ecu, 880 ecu and 310 ecu to 4,800 ecu, 960 ecu and 340 ecu 
respectively to take account of these factors. 
7. 

PROPOSAL FOR A 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No Jl 9 
of 
on the application of Decision No /s9 of the EEC- CA) Joint Committee 
altering the limits expressed in ECU in Article 8 of Protocol 3 concerning the 
definition of the concept of originating products and methods of administrative 
coo pe ration 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES. 
Havmg regard to :he Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 113 
thereof. 
lu-..;u; IC^JIIJ to the piwpuiai Iront the Commission, 
Whereas the Agreement between the European Economic 
Community and (3) {'•), signed on (C), 
entered into force on CD); 
Whereas by virtue of Article 28 of Protocol 3 concerning 
the definition of the concept of originating products and 
methods of administrative cooperation, which forms an 
integral pan of the said Aereerr.ent. the Joint Committee 
adopted Decision No /89 further amending Article 8 of 
that Protocol ; 
Whereas it is necessary tc apply that Decision in the 
Community, n\s ADOFIE;:- THIS REGULATH 
Art ulr : 
Decision No /89 of the EEC- (A) 
shall apply in the Community. 
The text of the Decision is attached to this Regulation. 
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day 
following its publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Communities. 
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member 
Sûtes. 
Done at Brussels. 
(A) Austria/FinLarxi/iceLand/^rv(ay/Sweden/Swit2erLand For the Council 
The President 
(B) the Republic of Austria 
the Republic of Finland 
the Republic of Iceland 
the Kingdom of Norway 
the Kingdom of Sweden 
the Swiss Confederation 
(1) Austria 
Finland 
Iceland 
Noruay 
Sweden 
Switzerland OJ No L 300, 
CJ No L 328, 
CJ to L 3d, 
OJ No L 171, 
OJ No L 300, 
OJ No L 300, CO 22 July 1972 
5 October 1973 
22 July 1972 
14 May 1973 
22 July 1972 
22 July 1972 
31.12.1972, p. 2 
28.11.1973, p. 2 
31.12.1972, p. 2 
27.06.1973, p. 2 
31.12.1972, p. 97 
31.12.1972, p. 189 (D) 1 January 1973 
1 January 1974 
1 April 1973 
1 July 1973 
1 January 1973 
1 January 1973 
PROPOSAL FOR A 
DECISION No /89 OF THE EEC-(A) JOINT COMMITTEE 
of 
altering the limits expressed in ECU in Article 8 of Protocol 3 concerning the 
definition of the concept of originating products and methods of administrative 
cooperation 
THE JOINT COMMITTEE. 
Having regard to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and (B) 
signed in Brussels on (C), 
Having regard to Protocol 3 concerning the definition of the concept of originating 
products and methods of administrative cooperation . and in particular Article 28 
thereof. 
Whereas the equivalents of the European units of account in some national currencies on 
3 October 1988 were lower than their equivalents on 1 October 1986 whereas, this fact, 
as a result of the automatic change of base date provided for in Article 8 (4) of Protocol 3 
would lead, on the conversion into the national currencies concerned, to a lowering of the 
effective limits for simplified documentary requirements ; whereas, in order to avoid this, 
the limits expressed in ECU should be raised. 
H.-.1-. 'uECULD AS FOLLOWS. 
Art idi ! 
Article H oi Protocol 3. as last amended, is hereby amended as follows : 
— in paragraph ! (c), ' 4.400 ECL" is replaced by •A.oflO ECU*. 
— ir. paragraph 1.310 ECU" is replaced b 340 ECU' and c80 ECU' by 960 ECU'. 
This Decsior. ihii; er.:^r into fores or. i May !?£9. 
Dont at Brusse' ;. 
The Chairman 
(A) Austria/Finland/Iceland/Norway/Sweden/Switzerland 
(B) the Republic of Austria CO 22 July 1972 
the Republic of Finland 5 October 1973 
the Republic of Iceland 22 July 1972 
the Kingdom of Norway 14 May 1973 
tne Kingdom of Sweden 22 July 1972 
the Swiss Confederation 22 July 1972 
4 
Commission of the European Communities 
COM(89) 296 final 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
on the application of Decision No .../89 of the EEC-Austria/finland/ 
Iceland/Norway/Sweden/Switzerland Joint Committee altering the 
limits expressed in ecus in Article 8 of Protocol 3 concerning the 
definition of the concept of originating products and methods of 
administrative cooperation 
(submitted to the Council by the Commission) 
19.6.1989 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L - 2985 Luxembourg 
Series: DOCUMENTS 
1989 - 4 pp. — Format: 21.0 « 29.7 cm 
EN 
ISSN 0254-1475 
ISBN 92-77-51153-2 
Catalogue number: CB-C04J9-260-EN-C 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(89) 296 final 
DOCUMENTS 
Proposal for a; ? 
COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) 
on the application of Decision No .../89 of the 
EEC-Austria/Finland/Iceland/Norway/Sweden/ 
Switzerland Joint Committee altering the limits 
expressed in ecus in Article 8 of Protocol 3 
concerning the definition of the concept of 
originating products and methods of 
administrative cooperation 
(submitted to the Council by the Commission) 
11 
Catalogue number: CB-CO-89-260-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-51153-2 19.6.1989 
€ 
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES