Commission notice concerning the application of the transitional rules of origin providing for diagonal cumulation between the applying Contracting Parties in the pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) zone

(2021/C 426/01)

For the purpose of the application of diagonal cumulation of origin among the applying Contracting Parties (1), the applying Contracting Parties concerned notify each other, through the European Commission, of the origin rules in force with the other applying Contracting Parties.

It is recalled that diagonal cumulation can only be applied if the applying Contracting Parties of final manufacture and of final destination have concluded free trade agreements, containing identical rules of origin, with all the applying Contracting Parties participating in the acquisition of originating status, i.e. with all the applying Contracting Parties from which the materials used originate. Materials originating in an applying Contracting Party which has not concluded an agreement with the applying Contracting Parties of final manufacture and/or of final destination shall be treated as non-originating.

Based on the notifications made by the applying Contracting Parties to the European Commission, the tables attached specify:

Table 1 – a simplified overview of cumulation possibilities on 1 September 2021.

Table 2 – the date from which diagonal cumulation becomes applicable.

In Table 1, an ‘X’ marks the existence between 2 partners of a free trade agreement containing rules of origin allowing cumulation based on the transitional rules of origin. To use diagonal cumulation with a third partner, an ‘X’ should be present in all the intersection of the table between the 3 partners.

In Table 2, the dates mentioned refer to the date of application of diagonal cumulation on the basis of Article 8 of Appendix A to each protocol on rules of origin between the applying Contracting Parties. In that case the date is preceded by ‘(T)’.

The codes for the applying Contracting Parties listed in the tables are given here below.

— European Union EU — EFTA States: — Iceland IS — Switzerland (including Liechtenstein) (2) CH (+ LI) — Norway NO — The Faroe Islands FO — The participants in the Barcelona Process: — Jordan JO — Palestine (3) PS — The participants in the EU’s Stabilisation and Association Process: — Albania AL — North Macedonia MK — Georgia GE





Table 1

Simplified overview of diagonal cumulation possibilities under the transitional rules of origin in the pan-Euro-Med zone on 1 September 2021

EU CH (+LI) IS NO FO JO PS AL MK GE EU X X X X X X X X X CH (+LI) X IS X NO X FO X JO X PS X AL X MK X GE X





Table 2

Date of application of transitional rules of origin providing for diagonal cumulation in the pan-Euro-Med zone

EU CH (+LI) IS NO FO JO PS AL MK GE EU (T) 01.09.2021 (T) 01.09.2021 (T) 01.09.2021 (T) 01.09.2021 (T) 01.09.2021 (T) 01.09.2021 (T) 01.09.2021 (T) 09.09.2021 (T) 01.09.2021 CH (+LI) (T) 01.09.2021 IS (T) 01.09.2021 NO (T) 01.09.2021 FO (T) 01.09.2021 JO (T) 01.09.2021 PS (T) 01.09.2021 AL (T) 01.09.2021 MK (T) 09.09.2021 GE (T) 01.09.2021

(1) ’applying Contracting Party’ means a Contracting Party to the PEM Convention that incorporates the PEM transitional rules of origin in its bilateral preferential trade agreements with another Contracting Party to the PEM Convention.

(2) Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein form a customs union.

(3) This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.