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COM (84) 634 
 
 
 
Vol. 1984/0 238 
  
 
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Conformém ent au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983 
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique 
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, 
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents 
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit 
règlem ent. 
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Econom ic 
Communit y and the European Atom ic Energy Communit y (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as 
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 
27.9.2003, p. 1), t his file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this 
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.  
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom  1. 
Februa r 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen  
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgem einschaft (ABI. L 43 vom  15.2.1983,  
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. Septem ber 2003  
(ABI. L 243 v om 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit  
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5  
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.  
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
C O M (84) 634 fin a l 
B russels,28. November 1984
COMMUNICATION B Y THE COMMISSION TO  TH E COUNCIL
Amendment of the references fo r coated sheet in the quota system
CO M (84) 634 fin a l

Amendment of the references for coated sheet in the quota system.
(Communication of the Commission to the Council)
I. Of a ll the products covered by the quota system, coated sheet, 
which covers both product categories Ic and Id, is the
only one for which there has been a  positive structural trend in 
consumption. Such sheets are being increasingly used in several consumer 
sectors because they are better suited to the use to which it  is 
ultim ately put and gives better protection against corrosion.
The reference figures based on past h istoric periods used to calculate 
quotas for coated sheet no longer correspond to the present situation.
The d e fin itio n  of coated sheet covers several products with different 
markets which have not developed in the sam e way and the quotas obtained 
by applying abatement rates for d iffe re n t steel companies have in m any 
cases proved to be too severe or too generous in relation to consumers' 
needs.
As a  re su lt, the quota system which f u l f i ls  its  function for other 
products no longer ensures proper management for coated sheet.
Furthermore, new products have appeared on the market which cause d iffic u ltie s  
of cla ssifica tio n  between category Ic (galvanized sheet) and Id (other coated 
fla t products) because more than one coating material is used.
II. In order to remedy this situation the Commission intends to adjust the 
quota system for coated sheet as follows :
- Categories Ic and Id w ill be grouped together in a single category 
and the reference figures w ill be based on actual production in 
1983 under the quota system (quantities produced le g ally, i.e . 
excluding quantities exceeding quotas).

-  2 -
-  S o that companies which have not used up a ll the ir quotas for 
categories Ic and Id but have transferred som e of them (stru ctu ra lly)
to other categories are not penalized, th e ir reference figures for these 
categories w ill be increased accordingly.
- For the new single category of coated sheet, an abatement rate w ill 
be applied in the usual way according to market estimates.
- In view of the exceptional situation of coated sheet in relation
to other products covered by the quota system, which is due to the 
technological changes which have taken place in consumer sectors 
and the fact that these w ill continue throughout the period in which 
the provisions proposed w ill apply, a system of individual adjustments 
must be introduced; without upsetting the functioning of the system 
these adjustments must be in line with changes in consumer demand.
This set of measures would enter into force on 1  January 1985 and provide 
a  system which takes more account of consumers' and customers' needs.
The proposed amendment has been m ade in the lig h t of the eventual aim of abolishing 
the quota system when it  is no longer absolutely necessary. A  system 
which takes account of companies' needs w ill prevent an abrupt change 
in the ir market situ atio n .