Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC ) amending Regulation ( EEC ) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature on the Common Customs Tariff
Date: 1991-11-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: CCT duties, algae, tariff nomenclature

ÉÉI 

MUâaT 

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0M(91) 451  final 

Brussels, 15  November  1991 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  REGULATION (EEC) 

ilirfâpilliigbffo 

amending Regulation  (EEC) No 2658/87 

on the tariff and statistical  nomenclature 

on the Common  Customs Tariff 

(presented  by  the  Commission) 

ItîïBtfiK 

iM 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

In the framework of the multilateral GATT negotiations on the  introduction 

of the Harmonized  System, the customs duty on seaweeds was  increased. 

This increase  in customs duties on seaweeds used  for industrial  purposes 

(perfumery, pharmacy and  food  for human consumption) proved  disadvantageous 

to Community  economic operators. 

Consequently,  since  1 March  1988 the duty on seaweeds and other algae for 

the processing  industry, other than for the production of animal  fodder has 

been suspended  (OJ No L 51 of 25 February  1988). 

In addition, since the amount of seaweed  imported  for the production of 

animal  fodder  is very  small, 2% protection  is no longer  justified. 

It therefore  seems advisable, while maintaining  the balance of  concessions 

and obligations under the GATT, to incorporate  the suspended  rate 

(exemption)  into the Common  Customs Tariff by reducing  the autonomous  rate 

of duty to this level. 

Z 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION  (EEC) 

amending Regulation  (EEC) No 2658/87 

on the tariff and statistical  nomenclature 

on the Common Customs Tariff 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES, 

Having  regard to the Treaty establishing  the European Economic Community 

and  in particular Article 28 thereof. 

Having regard to the proposal  from the Commission, 

Whereas during the GATT negotiations on the introduction of the Harmonized 

System, customs duties on the import of seaweeds were  increased; 

Whereas this increase  in customs duties is proving disadvantageous to 

economic operators;  whereas  it is therefore expedient to apply the customs 

duties in force prior to the negotiations; 

Whereas the balance of concessions and obligations under the GATT should 

not, however, be called  into question; 

Whereas it is expedient to amend the autonomous customs duties applied to 

seaweeds;  whereas therefore Council Regulation  (EEC) No 2658/87,1 as last 

amended by Regulation  (EEC) No  .../..,2 should be amended  accordingly, 

1  OJ No L 256, 7.9.1987, p.l. 
2  OJ No L 

3 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

- 2 -

Article 1 

1. The Combined  Nomenclature attached to Regulation  (EEC) No 2658/87 is 

hereby amended  in accordance with the Annex. 

2. The amendments  to Combined  Nomenclature  subheadings provided  for in this 

Regulation  shall be applied  as Taric subdivisions until their  insertion 

in the Combined  Nomenclature under the conditions  laid down in 

Article  12 of Regulation  (EEC) No 2658/89. 

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. 

It shall apply  from  1 January  1992. 

This Regulation  shall be binding  in its entirety  and directly  applicable in 

all Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 

The President 

H 

ANNEX 

CN code 

Description 

Rate of duty 

Supplementary 

autonomous 

conventional 

unit 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

1212 
1212 10 
to 
1212 10 99 
1212 20 00 
1212 30 00 
to 
1212 99 90 

(unchanged) 

- seaweeds 

Free 

2 

-

(unchanged) 

Taric code 1992:  1212 20 00 * 00 

5~ 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(91) 451 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

02 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-498-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-77392-8 

Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
Lr2985 Luxembourg