Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (drilling platforms)

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

During the last quarter of 1998, the Commission, assisted by the economic tariff questions section of the Customs Code Committee, has reviewed requests for the suspension of Common Customs Tariff duties presented to it by the Member States in respect of goods intended for incorporation in fixed drilling or production platforms of subheading ex 8430 49 operating outside the territorial sea of Member States.

The period of validity of the proposed measure is unspecified, since its purpose is to amend Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) No 2658/87, the period of validity of which is itself unspecified.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (drilling platforms)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, in particular Article 28 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff(1),as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2261/98 of 26 October 1998(2), suspends customs duties in respect of: a) goods intended for incorporation in drilling or production platforms: 1) fixed, subheading ex 8430 49, operating in the territorial sea of Member States; 2) or floating or submersible, subheading 8905 20; for the purposes of their construction, repair, maintenance or conversion, and in respect of goods intended for equipping the said platforms; b) tubes, pipes, cables and their connection pieces, linking these drilling or production platforms to the mainland;

(1) JO L 256 du 7. 9. 1987, p. 1.

(2) JO L 292 du 30. 10. 1998, p. 1.

Whereas it is in the Community interest to extend the suspension of customs duties to goods intended for connection to fixed drilling or production platforms of subheading ex 8430 49, operating outside the territorial sea of Member States to take account of technological developments, simplify customs procedures and improve the competitiveness of European firms,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

In the Preliminary Provisions of Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff, under point A.2.a)1) of the Special Provisions, the words "fixed, subheading ex 8430 49, operating in the territorial sea of Member States;" shall be replaced by "fixed, subheading ex 8430 49, operating in or outside the territorial sea of Member States;".

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 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 Brussels,

For the Council

The President

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. TITLE OF OPERATION

Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff (drilling platforms).

2. BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED

Chapter 12, Article 120.

3. LEGAL BASIS

Article 28 of the EC Treaty.

4. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

Suspension of CCT duties in respect of goods intended for connection to fixed drilling or production platforms of subheading ex 8430 49 operating outside the territorial sea of Member States.

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT

For the coming year, in the light of information provided by the Member States, the consequences in the budgetary field of the proposed operation may be estimated at a lack of receipts of about 900 000 EUR.

8. FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES

Checks on the end-use of the products concerned will be carried out in accordance with Articles 291 to 304 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code.