Proposal for a Council Regulation Extending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Regulation (EC) No 2074/2004 on imports of certain ring binder mechanisms originating in the People’s Republic of China to imports of the same product consigned from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Date: 2005-12-09
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: China, Laos, anti-dumping duty, anti-dumping legislation, import, office supplies, originating product

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 9.12.2005 
COM(2005) 644 final 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION 

Extending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Regulation (EC) No 2074/2004 
on imports of certain ring binder mechanisms originating in the People’s Republic of 
China to imports of the same product consigned from the Lao People’s Democratic 
Republic 

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

(1) 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

•  Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 

This  proposal  concerns  the  application  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  384/96  of  22 
December  1995  on  protection  against  dumped  imports  from  countries  not  members  of  the 
European Community, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 461/2004 of 8 March 
2004  ("the  basic  Regulation")  in  the  proceedings  concerning  imports  of  certain  ring  binder 
mechanisms  originating  in  the  People’s  Republic  of  China  consigned  from  Lao  People’s 
Democratic Republic. 

•  General context 

This proposal is made in the context of the implementation of the basic Regulation and is the 
result  of  an  investigation  which  was  carried  out  in  line  with  the  substantive  and  procedural 
requirements laid out in the basic Regulation. 

•  Existing provisions in the area of the proposal 

There are no existing provisions in the area of the proposal. 

•  Consistency with other policies and objectives of the Union 

Not applicable. 

(2) 

CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

•  Consultation of interested parties 

Interested parties concerned by the proceeding have already had the possibility to defend their 
interests during the investigation, in line with the provisions of the basic Regulation. 

•  Collection and use of expertise 

There was no need for external expertise. 

•  Impact assessment 

This proposal is the result of the implementation of the basic regulation. 

The basic regulation does not foresee a general impact assessment but contains an exhaustive 
list of conditions that have to be assessed. 

(3) 

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

•  Summary of the proposed action 

In  1997,  definitive  anti-dumping  duties  were  imposed  on  imports  of  certain  ring  binder 
mechanisms (RBMs) originating in China. In 2004, following an expiry review, these duties 
were re-imposed for a further period of five years. Also in 2004, these duties were extended to 

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imports  of  the  same  product  consigned  from  Vietnam,  following  an  anti-circumvention 
investigation. 

On  28  February  2005,  the  Commission  received  a  new  request  to  investigate  the  alleged 
circumvention  through  transhipment  via  Laos  of  the  anti-dumping  measures  imposed  on 
imports of RBMs originating in China.  

This investigation showed that there was insufficient due cause or justification other than the 
imposition  of  anti-dumping  measures  for  such  change  in  the  pattern  of  trade  and  that  the 
remedial effects of the existing anti-dumping measures were being undermined both in terms 
of  quantity  and  price.  Significant  volumes  of  imports  of  the  product  concerned  from  Laos 
appeared  to  have  replaced  imports  of  certain  RBMs  from  China  and  Vietnam.  In  addition, 
there was sufficient evidence that this increase in imports was made at prices below the non-
injurious  price  established  in  the  investigation  that  led  to  the  existing  measures  and  that 
significant dumping had still taken place. 

It  is  therefore  proposed  to  extend  the  anti-dumping  measures  in  place  on  imports  of  certain 
ring binder mechanisms originating in the People’s Republic of China to imports of the same 
product consigned from the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. 

Member States were consulted and a majority supported this proposal. 

It is proposed that the Council adopts the attached proposal for a Regulation which should be 
published in the Official Journal as soon as possible. 

•  Legal basis 

Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  384/96  of  22  December  1995  on  protection  against  dumped 
imports from countries not members of the European Community, as last amended by Council 
Regulation (EC) No 461/2004 of 8 March 2004. 

•  Subsidiarity principle 

The  proposal  falls  under  the  exclusive  competence  of  the  Community.  The  subsidiarity 
principle therefore does not apply. 

•  Proportionality principle 

The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reasons: 

The form of action is described in the above-mentioned basic regulation and leaves no scope 
for national decision. 

Indication of how financial and administrative burden falling upon the Community, national 
governments, regional and local authorities, economic operators and citizens is minimized and 
proportionate to the objective of the proposal is not applicable. 

•  Choice of instruments 

Proposed instruments: regulation. 

Other means would not be adequate for the following reason: 

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The above-mentioned basic regulation does not foresee alternative options. 

(4) 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

The proposal has no implication for the Community budget. 

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Proposal for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION 

Extending the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Regulation (EC) No 2074/2004 
on imports of certain ring binder mechanisms originating in the People’s Republic of 
China to imports of the same product consigned from the Lao People’s Democratic 
Republic 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,  

Having  regard  to  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  384/96  of  22  December  1995  on  protection 
against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community1 (‘the basic 
Regulation’), and in particular Article 9 and 13 thereof, 

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  submitted  by  the  Commission  after  consulting  the  Advisory 
Committee, 

Whereas: 

A. PROCEDURE 

1. Existing measures 

(1) 

(2) 

By  Regulation  (EC)  No  119/972  (‘the  original  Regulation’),  the  Council  imposed 
definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of certain ring binder mechanisms (‘RBMs’ 
or  ‘the  product  concerned’)  originating  in  the  People’s  Republic  of  China  (‘China’), 
equal to the difference between the minimum import price of € 325 per 1000 pieces for 
mechanisms  with  17  and  23  rings  and  the  net,  free-at-Community-frontier  price, 
before duty, ranging from 32,5% to 39,4% for mechanisms other than with 17 and 23 
rings. 

Following an investigation pursuant to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 384/96, the 
Council amended and increased the above duties for mechanisms other than with17 or 
23 rings through Regulation (EC) No 2100/20003 (‘the anti-absorption investigation’). 
The amended definitive anti-dumping duties ranged from 51,2% to 78,8%. 

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OJ  L  56,  6.3.1996,  p.  1  Regulation  as  last  amended  by  Regulation  (EC)  No  461/2004  (OJ  L  77, 
13.3.2004, p 12). 
OJ L 22, 24.1.1997, p. 1 
OJ L 250, 5.10.2000, p. 1 

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(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

By  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1208/20044,  the  Council  extended  the  measures 
imposed by the original Regulation to imports of RBMs consigned from the socialist 
Republic of Vietnam (‘Vietnam’)  

Following an expiry review, the duties were re-imposed by Council Regulation (EC) 
No 2074/20045. 

2. Request 

On 28 February 2005, the Commission received a request pursuant to Article 13(3) of 
the  basic  Regulation  to  investigate  the  alleged  circumvention  of  the  anti-dumping 
measures imposed on imports of certain RBMs originating in China. The request was 
submitted  by  Ring  Alliance  Ringbuchtechnik  GmbH  on  behalf  of  producers 
representing a major proportion of the Community production of certain RBMs (‘the 
applicants’).  The  request alleged that the anti-dumping measures in force on imports 
of  certain  RBMs  originating  in  China  were  being  circumvented  by  means  of 
transhipment via Lao People’s Democratic Republic (‘Laos’) 

The request further alleged that there was insufficient due cause or justification other 
than the imposition of anti-dumping measures for such change in the pattern of trade 
and  that  the  remedial  effects  of  the  existing  anti-dumping  measures  were  being 
undermined  both  in  terms  of  quantity  and  price.  Significant  volumes  of  imports  of 
certain  RBMs  from  Laos  appeared  to  have  replaced  imports  of  certain  RBMs  from 
China  and  Vietnam.  In  addition,  there  was  sufficient  evidence  that  this  increase  in 
imports  was  made  at  prices  below  the  non-injurious  price  established  in  the 
investigation that led to the existing measures. 

Finally,  the  applicants  alleged  that  the  prices  of  certain  RBMs  consigned  from  Laos 
were  dumped  in  relation  to  the  normal  value  previously  established  for  the  product 
concerned. 

3. Initiation 

Having determined, after consulting the Advisory Committee, that sufficient evidence 
existed  for  the  initiation  of  an  investigation  pursuant  to  Article  13  of  the  basic 
Regulation,  the  Commission  initiated  an  investigation  according  to  Regulation  (EC) 
559/20056 (‘the initiating Regulation’). Pursuant to Articles 13(3), 14(3) and 14(5) of 
the  basic  Regulation,  the  Commission,  by  the  initiating  Regulation,  also  directed  the 
customs authorities to register imports of certain RBMs consigned from Laos, whether 
declared as originating in Laos or not, as from 14 April 2005. 

4. Investigation 

(9) 

The  Commission  officially  advised  the  authorities  of  China  and  Laos,  the 
producers/exporters  and  the  importers  in  the  Community  known  to  be  concerned  as 
well  as  the  applicant  Community  industry  of  the  initiation  of  the  investigation. 
Questionnaires  were  sent  to  the  producers/exporters  in  China  and  Laos  as  well  as  to 

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OJ L 232, 1.7.2004, p. 1. 
OJ L 359, 4.12.2004, p. 11. 
OJ L 94, 13.4.2005, p.26 

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the  importers  in  the  Community  named  in  the  request  or  known  to  the  Commission 
from the original investigation. Interested parties were given the opportunity to make 
their views known in writing and to request a hearing within the time limit set in the 
initiating Regulation. All parties were informed that non-cooperation might lead to the 
application  of  Article  18  of  the  basic  Regulation  and  to  findings  being  made  on  the 
basis of the facts available. 

(10)  No replies to the questionnaires were received from exporters/producers in China or in 
Laos, nor did the Commission receive any comments from the Chinese or the Laotian 
authorities.  

(11)  One  Community  importer  replied  by  declaring  that  it  had  not  imported  any  type  of 
RBMs  from  Laos  during  the  investigation  period  but  did  not  submit  any  other 
information. 

5. Investigation Period 

(12)  The  investigation  period  covered  the  period  from  1  January  2004  to  31  December 
2004 (‘the IP’). Data were collected from 2001 up to the end of the IP to investigate 
the alleged change in the pattern of trade. 

B. RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION 

1. General considerations/degree of cooperation 

(13)  As mentioned above in recital (10) and (11), no producers/exporters of RBMs in China 
or  in  Laos  cooperated  in  the  investigation  nor  did  any  Community  importers  submit 
information  relevant  for  the  investigation. Accordingly,  findings  in  respect of RBMs 
consigned  from  Laos  to  the  Community  had  to  be  made  on  the  basis  of  the  facts 
available in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation. 

2. Product concerned and like product 

(14)  The product concerned is, as defined in the original investigation, certain ring binder 
mechanisms  currently  classifiable  within  CN  code  ex  8305  10  00.  These  RBMs 
consist  of  two  rectangular  steel  sheets  or  wires  with  at  least  four  half  rings  made  of 
steel wire fixed on it and which are kept together by a steel cover. They can be opened 
either by pulling the half rings or by using a small steel-made trigger mechanism fixed 
to  the  product  concerned.  Generally,  RBMs  are  composed  of  elements  such  as  ring, 
blade, cover, eyelet and, where applicable, trigger. 

(15)  From  the  information  available,  it  was  concluded  that  RBMs  exported  to  the 
Community  from  China  and  those  consigned  from  Laos  to  the  Community  have  the 
same basic physical characteristics and the same uses. Therefore, they are considered 
as  like  products  within  the  meaning  of  Article  1(4)  of  the  basic  Regulation  and 
Eurostat. No submissions to the contrary were made during the investigation. 

3. Change in the pattern of trade between third countries and the Community 

(16)  Due to the non-cooperation of any Laotian company, the volume and value of Laotian 
exports of the product concerned to the Community were determined on the basis of 
the information available, which in this case was statistical data collected by Member 

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States  and  compiled  by  the  Commission  pursuant  to  Article  14(6)  of  the  basic 
Regulation and Eurostat. 

(17)  Following the imposition of definitive measures on imports of the product concerned 
from China into the Community, imports from China decreased significantly, i.e. from 
1684 tonnes in 1999 to 302 tonnes in 2001 and 2002 and started to increase slightly to 
330 tonnes in 2003 and 354 tonnes in 2004. It should be noted, however, that in the 
second half of 2004 imports from China started to show again a decreasing trend, as 
shown  in  the  table  below.  At  the  same  time,  imports  into  the  Community  of  RBMs 
from Laos have increased from a situation of zero imports between 2001 and 2003 up 
to  492  tonnes  in  2004  (=IP).  Statistics  show  that  imports  from  Laos  continue  to 
increase in 2005.  

(18) 

It is also noted that the pattern found, consisting of a coinciding decrease of imports 
from  China  and  parallel  significant  increase  of  imports  from  Laos  in  2004,  shows  a 
direct link with the pattern found in the anti-circumvention investigation leading to the 
extension of the measures imposed by the original investigation to imports of RBMs 
from  Vietnam.  Indeed,  from  1999  on,  imports  of  RBMs  from  Vietnam  increased 
significantly, i.e. from zero tonnes between 1999 and 2001 to 1105 tonnes in 2002 and 
to  1778  tonnes  in  2003.  Following  the  extension  of  the  measures  imposed  by  the 
original investigation to imports of RBMs from Vietnam, imports from Vietnam into 
the Community decreased substantially to 353 tonnes in 2004 (=IP). Statistics show no 
imports  in  2005.  In  fact,  when  analysed  on  a  per  six-months  basis,  imports  from 
Vietnam almost stopped in the first semester 2004, when measures in place in respect 
of  imports  of  RBMs  from  China  were  extended  to  imports  consigned  from  Vietnam 
(publication  on  01  July  2004,  see  recital  (3)).  As  from  the  same  time,  imports  from 
Laos started from nil in the preceding periods to 100 tonnes in the first semester 2004 
and to 392 tonnes in the second semester 2004; it is clear therefore that imports from 
Laos  replaced,  at  least  partially  imports  from  Vietnam  and  China.  The  reported 
imports from Laos thus confirm a pattern of trade that commenced from 1999, since
 before the extension of the measures to Vietnam, there were no imports from Laos into 
the Community. 

Country 

2001 

2002 

2003 

2004 (IP) 

2004 (IP) 

1st semester 

2nd semester 

China7 

Vietnam8 

Laos9 

302 

0 

0 

302

1105

0

330

1778

0

212 

353 

100 

142

0

392

Source :  Statistical  data  collected  by  Member  States  and  compiled  by  the  Commission 
pursuant to Article 14(6) of the basic Regulation and Eurostat. 

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starting from 1684 tonnes in 1999 
starting from nil in 1999 
starting from nil in 1999 

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4. Insufficient due cause or economic justification 

(19)  The imports into the Community from Laos started in 2004 after the initiation of the 
investigation on imports of RBMs from Vietnam in August 2003 coinciding with the 
change of pattern of trade between China, Vietnam and Laos on the one hand, and the 
Community on the other hand, as shown in recital (18).  

(20)  There is a coincidence in time between the  significant decrease of  imports of RBMs 
from Vietnam, which occurred at the time of the extension of the measures following 
the  anti-circumvention  investigation,  and  the  parallel  increase  of  imports  of  RBMs 
from  Laos.  It  is  recalled  that  the  authorithies  in  Laos  as  well  as  potential 
producers/exporters  in  this  country  were  informed  of  the  on-going  investigation. 
However,  no  evidence  was  received  that  there  was  a  genuine  production  of  this 
product in Laos nor in fact, did any Laotian company cooperate with the investigation. 
On the basis of the available information, it is therefore concluded that, in the absence 
of any other sufficient due cause or economic justification within the meaning of the 
second sentence of Article 13(1) of the basic Regulation, the change in the pattern of 
trade stemmed from the extension of the anti-dumping duty to goods consigned from 
Vietnam. 

5. Undermining of the remedial effects of the duty in terms of the prices and/or the 
quantities of the like product 

(21) 

It is evident from the data mentioned in recital (18) that a clear quantitative change in 
the  pattern  of  Community  imports  of  the  product  concerned  occurred  since  the 
extension  of  measures  on  RBMs  from  China  to  Vietnam  in  2004.  Following  this 
extension,  Vietnamese  imports  into  the  Community  decreased  significantly  in  2004 
and have stopped in 2005, while there was a parallel surge of exports of the product 
concerned to the Community from Laos. According to the Eurostat data, in 2004 the 
total amount of the Laotian exports to the Community was 492 tonnes, while the first 
quarter of 2005 shows the same trend. It is therefore clear that the marked change in 
trade flows undermined the remedial effects of the measures in terms of the quantities 
imported into the Community market. 

(22)  With regard to prices of the products concerned consigned from Laos, in the absence 
of cooperation, it was necessary to refer to Eurostat data, which was the best evidence 
available.  It  was  found  that  the  average  export  price  of  the  Laotian  exports  to  the 
Community  were  below  the  injury  elimination  level  of  Community  prices  as 
established  in  the  original  investigation.  Hence,  the  remedial  effects  of  the  duty 
imposed in terms of prices are undermined. 

(23) 

It  is  therefore  concluded  that  the  imports  of  the  product  concerned  from  Laos 
undermine the remedial effects of the duty both in terms of quantities and prices. 

6. 

Evidence of dumping in relation to the normal values previously established for 

like or similar products 

(24)  As  explained  in  recital (13),  given  the  absence  of  cooperation,  in  order  to  determine 
whether evidence of dumping could be found with respect to the exports of the product 
concerned to the Community from Laos during the IP, Eurostat data at CN level were 

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(25) 

(26) 

(27) 

(28) 

used pursuant to Article 18 of the basic Regulation as the basis for establishing export 
prices to the EU. 

In  accordance  with  Article  13(1)  of  the  basic  Regulation,  these  export  prices  were 
compared with the normal value previously established, in this case the normal value 
established  in  the  most  recent  expiry  review.  In  the  expiry  review,  (see  Recital  (4) 
above), India was considered to be the appropriate market economy analogue country 
for  China  and  normal  value  was  established  on  the  basis  of  prices  as  well  as 
constructed normal value in that analogue country. 

In the absence of cooperation and pursuant to Article 18 of the basic Regulation, for 
the  purpose  of  comparing  the  export  price  and  normal  value,  it  was  considered 
appropriate  to  assume  that  the  product  mix  of  the  goods  observed  during  this 
investigation was the same as in the expiry review on imports of RBMs originating in 
China. 

In accordance with Article 2(11) and 2(12) of the basic Regulation, a comparison of 
the  weighted  average  normal  value  as  established  during  the  expiry  review 
investigation and the weighted average of export prices during this investigation’s IP, 
expressed  as  a  percentage  of  CIF  price  at  the  Community  frontier  duty  unpaid, 
revealed significant dumping. 

C. MEASURES 

In view of the findings above it is found that circumvention has taken place within the 
meaning of Article 13(1), second sentence, of the basic Regulation. In accordance with 
Article  13(1)  first  sentence  of  the  basic  Regulation,  the  existing  anti-dumping 
measures on imports of the product concerned originating in China, as amended by the 
anti-absorption  investigation,  should  be  extended  to  imports  of  the  same  product 
consigned from Laos, whether declared as originating in Laos or not. 

(29) 

In  accordance  with  Article  14(5)  of  the  basic  Regulation,  which  provides  that 
measures shall be applied on registered imports from the date of registration, the anti-
dumping  duty  should  be  collected  on  imports  of  RBMs  consigned  from  Laos  which 
entered the Community under registration imposed by the initiating Regulation. 

(30)  The  measures  to  be  extended  should  be  the  ones  established  in  Article  1(2)  of  the 

original Regulation as last amended by the expiry review, and are as follows: 

a)  For  mechanisms  with  17  and  23  rings  the  amount  of  duty  shall  be  equal  to  the 
difference between the minimum import price of EUR 325 per 1 000 pieces and the 
net, free-at-Community-frontier price before duty; 

b) For mechanisms other than those with 17 or 23 rings, the residual duty of 78,8%. 

(31) 

In  accordance  with  article  14(5)  of  the  basic  Regulation,  which  provides  that  any 
extended  measure  should  apply  to  imports  which  entered  the  Community  under 
registration imposed by the initiating Regulation, duties should be collected on those 
registered imports of certain RBMs consigned from Laos. 

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D. REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION 

(32)  Although  during  this  investigation  no  genuine  exporter  of  RBMs  to  the  Community 
was found to exist in Laos or made itself known to the Commission, other exporters 
concerned  which  would  consider  lodging  a  request  for  an  exemption  from  the 
extended anti-dumping duty pursuant to Article 13(4) of the basic Regulation will be 
required to complete a questionnaire in order to enable the Commission to determine 
whether  an  exemption  may  be  warranted.  Such  exemption  may  be  granted  after  the 
assessment of the market situation of the product concerned, production capacity and 
capacity  utilisation,  procurement  and  sales  and  the  likelihood  of  continuation  of 
practices  for  which  there  is  insufficient  due  cause  or  economic  justification  and  the 
evidence  of  dumping.  The  Commission  would  normally  also  carry  out  an  on-spot 
verification  visit.  The  request  would  have  to  be  addressed  to  the  Commission 
forthwith,  with  all  relevant  information,  in  particular  any  modification  in  the 
company's activities linked to production and sales.  

E. PROCEDURE 

(33) 

Interested parties were informed of the essential facts and considerations on the basis 
of which the Council intended to extend the definitive anti-dumping duty in force and 
were given the opportunity to comment and to be heard. No comments which were of 
a nature to change the above conclusions were received. 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Article 1 

1. 

The  definitive  anti-dumping  duty  imposed  by  Regulation  (EC)  No  2074/2004  on 
imports  of  certain  ring-binder  mechanisms  falling  within  CN  code  ex  8305  10  00 
originating in the People’s Republic of China: 

(a) 
for mechanisms with 17 and 23 rings (TARIC codes 8305 10 00 21, and 83 05 
10 00 29) equal to the difference between the minimum import price of EUR 325 per 
1 000 pieces and the net free-at-Community-frontier price before duty; 

for mechanisms other than those with 17 or 23 rings (TARIC codes 8305 10 00 

(b) 
11, and 8305 10 00 19) of 78,8%; 

is hereby extended to imports of certain ring-binder mechanisms consigned from the 
Lao  People’s  Democratic  Republic  whether  declared  as  originating  in  the  Lao 
People’s Democratic Republic or not (TARIC codes 8305 10 00 13 and 83 05 10 00 
23). 

For  the  purpose  of  this  Regulation,  ring-binder  mechanisms  shall  consist  of  two 
rectangular steel sheets or wires with at least four half-rings made of steel wire fixed 
on  it  and  which  are  kept  together  by  a  steel  cover.  They  can  be  opened  either  by 
pulling the half rings or with a small steel-made trigger mechanism fixed to the ring-
binder mechanism. 

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2. 

The  duties  extended  by  paragraph  1  of  this  Article  shall  be  collected  on  imports 
registered  in  accordance  with  Articles  13(3)  and  14(5)  of  Regulation  (EC)  No 
384/96. 

3. 

The provisions in force concerning customs duties shall apply. 

1. 

2. 

Article 2 

Requests for exemption from the duty extended by Article 1 shall be made in writing 
in one of  the  official languages of the Community and must be signed by a person 
authorised  to  represent  the  applicant.  The  request  must  be  sent  to  the  following 
address: 

European Commission 
Directorate-General for Trade 
Directorate B 
Office: J-79 05/17 
B - 1049 Brussels 
Fax (32 2) 295 65 05 
Telex COMEU B 21877. 

In  accordance  with  Article  13(4)  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  384/96,  the  Commission, 
after consulting the Advisory Committee, may authorise by decision, the exemption 
of  imports  which  do  not  circumvent  the  anti-dumping  measures  imposed  by 
Regulation (EC) No 2074/2004 from the duty extended by Article 1. 

Customs authorities are hereby directed to discontinue the registration of imports, established 
in accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 559/2005. 

Article 3 

This  Regulation  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  day  following  that  of  its  publication  in  the 
Official Journal of the European Union. 

Article 4 

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

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