Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down conservation and management measures for the Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna
Date: 2021-07-28
Institutions: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission
Subjects: by-catch, conservation of fish stocks, fishing area, fishing rights, fishing vessel, international convention, sea fish, sea fishing, ship's flag

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 28.7.2021  COM(2021) 424 final 2021/0242 (COD)  Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL laying down conservation and management measures for the Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna  
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

• 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Reasons for and objectives of the proposal 

The purpose of this proposal is to implement into EU law the relevant control, conservation 
and  management  measures  adopted  by  the  Commission  for  the  Conservation  of  Southern 
Bluefin  Tuna  (CCSBT).  The  CCSBT  is  the  regional  fisheries  management  organisation 
(RFMO) responsible for managing Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii – SBF) through 
its  area  of  distribution.  The  CCSBT  has  a  mandate  to  adopt  conservation  and  enforcement 
measures for the fisheries under its purview, and these are binding on its contracting parties. 

The  Convention  for  the  Conservation  of  Southern  Bluefin  Tuna  (the  Convention)  does  not 
provide for the accession of regional economic integration organisations, such as the EU. To 
promote  cooperation  in  the  conservation  and  management  of  Southern  bluefin  tuna,  the 
CCSBT has created the Extended Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna 
(Extended Commission), in which the EU can participate as a member. Decisions adopted by 
the Extended Commission become decisions of the CCSBT at the end of the annual meeting 
session to which they were reported, unless the CCSBT decides to the contrary, which to date 
has never occurred.  

Under Article 5(1) and Article 8(7) of the Convention, complemented by paragraph 6 of the 
CCSBT  Resolution  to  Establish  an  Extended  Commission  and  an  Extended  Scientific 
Committee, members of the Extended Commission have the same obligations as members of 
the CCSBT; they must therefore comply with the decisions of the CCSBT and contribute to it 
financially. The EU has been a member of the Extended Commission since 2015. 

Unlike other RFMOs in which the EU participates, the EU has no fishing vessels that target 
Southern bluefin tuna and it has reported only accidental by-catches of this species in the past 
and  none  since  2012.  Nevertheless,  it  is  still  appropriate  to  comply  with  CCSBT  measures 
that  relate  to  the  activities  and  characteristics  of  the  EU  fleet  and  to  the  trade  in  Southern 
bluefin tuna.  

The  area  of  distribution  of  Southern  bluefin  tuna,  where  this  species  is  known  to  occur, 
overlaps  with  the  areas  of  the  Indian  Ocean  Tuna  Commission1,  the  Western  and  Central 
Pacific Tuna Commission2 and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic 
Tunas3.  The  EU  long-line  fleet  that  targets  tropical  tunas  and  tuna-like  species  has  reported 
limited by-catches of Southern bluefin tuna in these areas.  

The Commission, on behalf of the Union, draws up negotiating guidelines based on scientific 
advice and a 5-year mandate established by Council Decision. In line with the mandate, these 
guidelines  are  presented,  discussed  and  endorsed  at  the  Council  working  party;  they  are 
further  adjusted,  to  take  account  of  real-time  developments,  at  coordination  meetings  with 
Member States in the margins of the CCSBT annual meetings. Annual meetings of the Union 

1 

2 

3 

Council  Decision  95/399/EC  of  18  September  1995  on  the  accession  of  the  Community  to  the 
Agreement for the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (OJ L 326, 5.10.1995, p 24). 
Council Decision 2005/75/EC of 26 April 2004 on the accession of the Community to the Convention 
on  the  Conservation  and  Management  of  Highly  Migratory  Fish  Stocks  in  the  Western  and  Central 
Pacific Ocean (OJ L 32, 4.2.2005, p. 1). 
Council Decision 86/238/EEC of 9 June 1986 on the accession of the Community to the International  
Convention for the Conservation of  Atlantic Tunas, as amended by the Protocol annexed to the Final 
Act of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the States Parties to the Convention signed in Paris on 10 
July 1984 (OJ L 162, 18.6.1986, p. 33). 

EN 

1 

  EN 

                                                 
Delegation  to  the  CCSBT  bring  together  the  Commission,  the  Council  and  stakeholder’ 
representatives. 

All  CCSBT  measures  are  adopted  by  consensus.  The  CCSBT  does  not  have  an  objection 
procedure in place. 

Though aimed mainly at the contracting parties, CCSBT measures also impose obligations on 
operators (e.g. vessel masters). 

This  proposal  is  limited to  CCSBT measures that  apply to the Union, taking  account  of the 
specificity and activities of its fleet (no targeted fishery, exclusively accidental by-catches in 
the past but none reported recently, no transhipments or landings) and of the trade in Southern 
bluefin  tuna,  as  amended  at  the  CCSBT’s  annual  meetings.  The  Union  must  ensure 
compliance  with  these  measures,  which  are  international  obligations,  as  soon  as  they  enter 
into  force.  This  proposal  is  therefore  designed  to  implement  the  most  recent  version  of  the 
CCSBT measures and establish a mechanism for implementing them in the future. In practice, 
most  obligations  will  be  only  triggered  if  the  Union  fleet  accidentally  by-catches  Southern 
bluefin tuna, which has not occurred since 2012, and retains those fish on-board, something 
that has not been reported to date.  

The process of implementing measures adopted by RFMOs into EU law, from the first draft 
Commission  proposal  to  the  adoption  of  a  final  act  by  the  Council  and  the  European 
Parliament,  takes  an  average  of  18  months.  Delegated  powers  ensure  that  the  Union  is  able 
quickly to implement measures that will benefit the EU fleet, improve the level playing-field 
and further support the long-term sustainable management of stocks.  

This proposal provides for delegated powers to be granted to the Commission under Article 
290 TFEU, to cater for amendments to CCSBT measures and ensure that EU fishing vessels 
are  on  an  equal  footing  with  those  of  other  contracting  parties.  Examples  of  such  measures 
are: the CCSBT Record of Vessels Authorised to Fish for Southern Bluefin Tuna; aligning the 
CCSBT’s  Ecologically  Related  Species  measures  with  those  of  other  tuna  RFMOs;  and 
reporting deadlines. 

The  reporting  deadlines  set  out  in  this  proposal  are  based  on  deadlines  in  the  CCSBT 
measures, so that the EU can make timely submissions of reports to the CCSBT Secretariat. 

• 

Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area 

This proposal complements, and is consistent with, other provisions of Union law in this area. 
Derogations from existing acts are, however, established in certain instances due to the nature 
of the more specific measures proposed. 

This proposal is in line with Part VI (External Policy) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on 
the  common  fisheries  policy  (CFP)4.  This  provides  for  the  Union  to  conduct  its  external 
fisheries in accordance with its international obligations, base its fishing activities on regional 
fisheries  cooperation  and  charge  the  European  Fisheries  Control  Agency  with  ensuring 
compliance. 

4 

Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on 
the  Common  Fisheries  Policy,  amending  Council  Regulations  (EC)  No 1954/2003  and  (EC) 
No 1224/2009  and  repealing  Council  Regulations  (EC)  No 2371/2002  and  (EC)  No 639/2004  and 
Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22). 

EN 

2 

  EN 

 
                                                 
The proposal complements Regulation (EU) 2017/24035 on external fleet management, which 
provides  that  EU  fishing  vessels  are  subject  to  the  list  of  fishing  authorisations  under  the 
conditions and rules of the RFMO in question, and Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/20086 
on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

This  proposal  does  not  cover  fishing  opportunities  for  the  EU,  as  decided  by  the  CCSBT. 
Under Article 43(3) TFEU, it is the Council’s prerogative to adopt measures on prices, levies, 
aid and quantitative limitations, and on the fixing and allocation of fishing opportunities. 

• 

Consistency with other Union policies 

Not applicable. 

2. 

• 

LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY 

Legal basis 

The proposal is based on Article 43(2) TFEU, as it sets out provisions necessary to pursue the 
objectives of the CFP. 

• 

Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)  

As  the  proposal  falls  under  the  exclusive  competence  of  the  Union  (Article 3(1)(d) TFEU), 
the subsidiarity principle does not apply. 

• 

Proportionality 

The proposal will ensure that EU law is in line with international obligations adopted by the 
CCSBT  and  that  the  EU  complies  with  decisions  taken  by  an  RFMO  to  which  it  is  a 
contracting party. The proposal does not exceed what is necessary to achieve these objectives. 

• 

Choice of the instrument 

The instrument chosen is a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. 

3. 

• 

RESULTS 
CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 

EX-POST 

EVALUATIONS, 

OF 

STAKEHOLDER 

Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation 

Not relevant. 

• 

Stakeholder consultations 

The  purpose  of  this  proposal  is  to  implement  into  Union  law  CCSBT  measures  that  are 
binding  on  members  of  the  Extended  Commission.  National  experts  and  industry 
representatives are consulted both during the run-up to the CCSBT annual meetings at which 
the measures are adopted and throughout negotiations at the meetings. Consequently, it was 
not considered necessary to hold a stakeholder consultation on this proposal.  

5  Regulation  (EU)  2017/2403  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  12  December  2017  on  the 
sustainable  management  of  the  external  fleets,  and  repealing  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1006/2008 
(OJ L 347, 28.12.2017, p. 81). 

6  Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, 
deter  and  eliminate  illegal,  unreported  and  unregulated  fishing,  amending  Regulations  (EEC)  No  2847/93, 
(EC)  No  1936/2001  and  (EC)  No  601/2004  and  repealing  Regulations  (EC)  No  1093/94  and  (EC) 
No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1). 

EN 

3 

  EN 

                                                 
• 

Collection and use of expertise 

Not applicable. 

• 

Impact assessment 

Not  relevant.  This  concerns  the  implementation  of  measures  directly  applicable  in  the 
Member States. 

• 

Regulatory fitness and simplification 

This proposal is not linked to REFIT. 

• 

Fundamental rights 

This proposal has no consequences for the protection of fundamental rights. 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS 

There are no budgetary implications. 

5. 

• 

OTHER ELEMENTS 

Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements 

Not applicable. 

• 

Explanatory documents (for directives) 

Not applicable. 

• 

Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal 

The  proposal  covers  the  CCSBT  provisions  applicable  to  the  EU,  taking  into  account  the 
specificity  of  the  EU  fleet  (no  targeted  fishery,  exclusively  accidental  by-catches  and  none 
recently  reported,  no  transhipments  or  landings)  and  the  trade  in  Southern  bluefin  tuna.  In 
practice,  most  obligations  will  be  only  triggered  if  the  EU  fleet  accidentally  by-catches 
Southern  bluefin  tuna,  which  has  not  occurred  since  2012,  and  retains  those  fish  on-board, 
something that has not been reported to date. The provisions lay down the proposal’s subject, 
scope and definitions.  

The targeting of the Southern bluefin tuna is prohibited, with only by-catches being allowed. 
Union fishing vessels that could by-catch the species shall be registered in the CCSBT record 
of vessels. 

The  proposal  implements  the  CCSBT  catch  documentation  scheme  (CDS).  By-catches  of 
Southern bluefin tuna shall be tagged with catch tagging forms, while import, export and re-
export documents are mandatory for the trading of Southern bluefin tuna. 

Catch  monitoring  documents  and  tagging  forms  shall  be  validated  and  verified  by  flag 
Member  States.  The  proposal  also  implements  CCSBT  provisions  concerning  reviews  and 
investigations related to the CDS and the maintenance of CDS records. 

All transhipments of Southern bluefin tuna shall take place in ports. There is an obligation to 
notify transhipments and use transhipment declarations.  

EN 

4 

  EN 

The  proposal  implements  the  duty  to  cooperate  in  providing  fishing  vessels’  data  for:  the 
investigation of incidents; cooperation related to the inclusion of a Union fishing vessel on the 
CCSBT  Illegal  Unreported  and  Unregulated  (IUU)  vessels  list;  reported  cases  of  non-
compliance; port inspection infringements. 

The  proposal  also  implements  duties  relating  to  monthly  catch  reports,  and  to  annual  and 
compliance reporting.  

The delegated powers listed in the proposal include changes to the information provided for 
the CCSBT record of fishing vessels, time limits and periods related to: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

reporting for catch tagging forms;  

retention of CDS documents, and notification of transhipments;  

transhipment declarations;  

sending information  concerning the  IUU vessels  list  and investigation reports 
to the CCSBT Compliance Committee;  

information concerning the contact point for port inspections, and notification 
of inspection report delays;  

reporting of periods of by-catches; and  

deadlines for submission of annual reports. 

EN 

5 

  EN 

 
2021/0242 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

laying down conservation and management measures for the Conservation of the 
Southern Bluefin Tuna 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article 43(2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee1  

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

1 
2 

3 

4 

The objective of the Common Fisheries Policy (‘CFP’), as set out in Regulation (EU) 
No  1380/2013  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council2,  is  to  ensure  that  the 
exploitation  of  living  aquatic  resources  contributes  to  long-term  environmental, 
economic and social sustainability. 
The  European  Union  has,  by  means  of  Council  Decision  98/392/EC3,  approved  the 
United Nations Convention of 10 December 1982 on the Law of the Sea. By means of 
Council  Decision  98/441/EC,  the  Union  has  approved  the  Agreement  for  the 
Implementation  of  that  Convention  relating  to  the  Conservation  and  Management  of 
Straddling  Fish  Stocks  and  Highly  Migratory  Fish  Stocks4,  which  contain  principles 
and rules with regard to  the conservation and management of the living resources of 
the sea. In the framework of its wider international obligations, the Union participates 
in efforts made in international waters to conserve fish stocks. 

The  Convention  for  the  Conservation  of  Southern  Bluefin  Tuna  (‘the  Convention’), 
which  established  the  Commission  for  the  Conservation  of  Southern  Bluefin  Tuna 
(‘CCSBT’)  does  not  provide  for  the  accession  of  regional  economic  integration 
organisations,  such  as  the  Union.  To  promote  cooperation  in  the  conservation  and 
management of Southern bluefin tuna (’SBF’), the CCSBT has  created the Extended 

OJ 
Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on 
the  Common  Fisheries  Policy,  amending  Council  Regulations  (EC)  No  1954/2003  and  (EC)  No 
1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council 
Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22). 
Council Decision 98/392/EC of 23 March 1998 concerning the conclusion by the European Community 
of the United Nations Convention of 10 December 1982 on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement of 28 
July 1994 relating to the implementation of Part XI thereof (OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 1).  
Council  Decision  98/414/EC  of  8  June  1998  on  the  ratification  by  the  European  Community  of  the 
Agreement for the implementing of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the 
Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling stocks and highly 
migratory fish stocks (OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 14). 

EN 

6 

  EN 

                                                 
for 

the  Conservation  of  Southern  Bluefin  Tuna 

Commission 
(‘Extended 
Commission’), in which the Union can participate as a member. Decisions adopted by 
the Extended Commission become decisions of the CCSBT at the end of the session of 
the meeting to  which they were reported, unless the CCSBT decides to the contrary. 
members of the Extended Commission have the same obligations as members of the 
CCSBT, including compliance with the decisions of the CCSBT and the provision of 
financial contributions to the CCSBT. 
Pursuant  to  Council  Decision  (EU)  2015/24375,  the  Union  is  a  member  of  the 
Extended Commission.  

The  CCSBT  adopts  annual  conservation  and  management  measures  by  way  of 
resolutions  that  are  binding  on  members  of  the  Extended  Commission,  including  on 
the Union. 

Unlike  in  other  Regional  Fisheries  Management  Organisations  (‘RFMOs’)  in  which 
the  Union  participates,  the  Union  has  no  fishing  vessels  that  target  Southern  bluefin 
tuna and it has reported only accidental by-catch of this species in the past and none 
since  2012.  Nevertheless,  it  is  still  appropriate  for  the  Union  to  comply  with  the 
relevant conservation and management measures adopted by the CCSBT related to the 
activities and characteristics of the Union fleet and in relation to the trade of Southern 
bluefin tuna. 

The area of distribution of Southern bluefin tuna overlaps with the Convention areas 
of  the  Indian  Ocean  Tuna  Commission,  the  Western  and  Central  Pacific  Tuna 
Commission  and  the  International  Commission  for  the  Conservation  of  Atlantic 
Tunas, where the Union long-line fleet that targets tropical tunas and tuna-like species 
has reported limited amounts of by-catch of Southern bluefin tuna in the past.  

This  Regulation  implements  the  relevant  resolutions  of  the  CCSBT  adopted  until 
2020,  except  for  measures  which  already  form  part  of  Union  law.  This  Regulation 
covers  only  the  CCSBT  provisions  applicable  to  the  Union,  notably  taking  into 
consideration  the  specificity  of  the  Union  fleet  (no  targeted  fishery,  exclusively 
accidental by-catch in the past and none since 2012, no transhipments or landing) and 
the trade of Southern bluefin tuna. In practice, most obligations will be only triggered 
if  the  Union  fleet  accidentaly  by-catches  Southern  bluefin  tuna,  which  has  not 
occurred  since  2012,  and  retains  those  fish  on-board,  something  that  has  not  been 
reported to date.  

To ensure compliance with the CFP, Union legislation has been adopted to establish a 
system of control, inspection and enforcement, which includes the fight against illegal, 
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In particular, Council Regulation (EC) No 
1224/20096 establishes a Union system for control, inspection and enforcement with a 
global  and  integrated  approach  so  as  to  ensure  compliance  with  all  the  rules  of  the 

Council Decision (EU) 2015/2437 of 14 December 2015 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European 
Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the 
Commission for the  Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) concerning the  membership of 
the  Union  in  the  Extended  Commission  of  the  Convention  for  the  Conservation  of  Southern  Bluefin 
Tuna (OJ L 366, 23.12.2015, p. 27). 
Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Union control system for 
ensuring  compliance  with  the  rules  of  the  common  fisheries  policy,  amending  Regulations  (EC)  No 
847/96,  (EC)  No  2371/2002,  (EC)  No  811/2004,  (EC)  No  768/2005,  (EC)  No  2115/2005,  (EC)  No 
2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 
1300/2008,  (EC)  No 1342/2008  and  repealing  Regulations  (EEC)  No  2847/93,  (EC)  No  1627/94  and 
(EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1).  

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

5 

6 

EN 

7 

  EN 

                                                 
(10) 

(11) 

CFP.  Commission  Implementing  Regulation  (EU)  No  404/20117  lays  down  detailed 
rules  for  the  implementation  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/2009.  Council 
Regulation (EC) No 1005/20088 establishes a Community system to prevent, deter and 
eliminate  IUU  fishing.  Those  regulations  already  include  provisions  covering  a 
number of the measures laid down in CCSBT resolutions. It is therefore not necessary 
to include those provisions in this Regulation. 

In accordance with  Article 29(2) of Regulation  (EU) No 1380/2013,  the positions of 
the  Union  in  RFMOs  are  to  be  based  on  the  best  available  scientific  advice  so  as  to 
ensure  that  fishery  resources  are  managed  in  accordance  with  the  objectives  of  the 
CFP,  in  particular  with  the  objective  of  progressively  restoring  and  maintaining 
populations  of  fish  stocks  above  biomass  levels  capable  of  producing  maximum 
sustainable  yield  (‘MSY’),  and  with  the  objective  of  providing  conditions  for 
economically viable and competitive fishing capture and processing industry and land-
based fishing related activity. 

In order to swiftly incorporate future CCSBT measures into Union law, the power to 
adopt  acts  in  accordance  with  Article  290  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the 
European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the information 
provided  for  in  the  CCSBT  Record  of  Vessels,  and  time  limits  or  periods  related 
to reporting  for  catch  tagging  forms,  retention  of  CDS  documents,  transmission  of 
transhipment notifications and declarations, transmission of information to the CCSBT 
Compliance  Committee  concerning  the  IUU  vessel  list  and  investigation  reports, 
transmission  of  information  concerning  point  of  contact  for  port  inspections,  and 
transmission  of  notification  of  delays  in  the  submission  of  port  inspection  reports, 
transmission of by-catch report, and deadlines for the submission of annual reports. 

(12)  The  European  Data  Protection  Supervisor  was  consulted  in  accordance  with  Article 
42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council9 
and delivered an opinion on … . 

(13) 

It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations 
during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be 
conducted  in  accordance  with  the  principles  laid  down  in  the  Interinstitutional 
Agreement  of  13  April  2016  on  Better  Law-Making10.  In  particular,  to  ensure  equal 
participation  in  the  preparation  of  delegated  acts,  the  European  Parliament  and  the 
Council receive all documents at  the same time as  Member States' experts,  and their 
experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing 
with the preparation of delegated acts.    

7 

8 

9 

10 

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules 
for  the  implementation  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/2009  establishing  a  Community  control 
system, for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 112, 30.4.2011, 
p. 1). 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1005/2008  of  29  September  2008  establishing  a  Community  system  to 
prevent,  deter and eliminate  illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) 
No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 
and (EC) No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1). 
Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the 
protection of natural persons with regard to the  processing of personal data by the Union institutions, 
bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 
45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39). 
Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and 
the European Commission on Better Law-Making (OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1). 

EN 

8 

  EN 

                                                 
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Article 1 
Subject matter 

This  Regulation  lays  down  provisions  concerning  management,  conservation  and  control 
measures  relating  to  by-catch  of  Southern  bluefin  tuna  (Thunnus  maccoyii)  under  the 
Convention for the Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna. 

Article 2 
Scope 

This  Regulation  shall  apply  to  Union  fishing  vessels  carrying  out  fishing  in  the  area  of 
distribution  of  Southern  bluefin  tuna  under  the  Convention  for  the  Conservation  of  the 
Southern  Bluefin  Tuna  and  Member  States  importing,  exporting  or  re-exporting  Southern 
bluefin tuna.  

For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: 

Article 3 
Definitions 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

(i) 

(j) 

(k) 

‘CCSBT’  means  the  Commission  for  the  Conservation  of  Southern  bluefin 
tuna;  

‘SBF’ means Southern bluefin tuna or fish products originating from Southern 
bluefin tuna; 

‘Convention’  means  the  Convention  for  the  Conservation  of  the  Southern 
Bluefin Tuna; 

‘CCSBT  Record  of  Vessels’  means  the  record  of  vessels  established  by  the 
CCSBT authorised to fish for or by-catch SBF; 

‘Union  fishing  vessel’  means  any  vessel  flying  the  flag  of  a  Member  State, 
used or intended for use for the purposes of commercial exploitation of marine 
biological resources, including support vessels, fish processing vessels, vessels 
engaged in transhipment and carrier vessels equipped for the transportation of 
fishery products, except container vessels; 

‘Transhipment’ means the unloading of all or any fishery products on board a 
fishing vessel to another fishing vessel;  

‘SBF  tag’  means  an  external  label  attached  to  the  whole  SBF  that  contains 
information on the individual fish;  

‘CCSBT  CDS’  means  the  specific  catch  documentation  scheme  for  SBF 
established  by  the  CCSBT  comprising  the  catch  monitoring  form,  catch 
tagging form and export or re-export form; 

‘Catch monitoring form’ means the CDS document that records information on 
the catch, transhipment, export, and import of SBF; 

‘Catch  tagging  form’  means  the  CDS  document  that  records  information  on 
individual fish tagged; 

‘Importation’  means  the  introduction  of  SBF  into  the  territory  of  the  Union, 
including for transhipment purposes at ports in its territory; 

EN 

9 

  EN 

(l) 

‘Export or re-export form’ means the CDS document that contains information 
on  SBF  already  tracked  on  the  catch  monitoring  form  of  an  import  that  is, 
either in full or part, exported or re-exported; 

(m) 

‘Exportation’  means  any  movement  to  a  third  country  of  SBF  harvested  by 
Union fishing vessels;  

(n) 

(o) 

(p) 

‘Re-exportation’ means any movement from the territory of the Union of SBF 
that had been previously imported into the territory of the Union; 

‘Whole SBF’ means SBF which has not undergone filleting or loining; 

‘Processed  SBF’  means  SBF  which  has  been  undergone  cleaning,  gilling 
gutting,  freezing  removal  of  fins,  operculae  (gill  plates/covers)  and  tail  and 
removal of the head or parts of the head ; 

(q) 

 ‘SBF parts other than the meat’ means the head, eyes, roe, guts and tails; 

(r) 

(s) 

(t) 

(u) 

(v) 

‘CCSBT Secretariat’ means the Secretariat established by the CCSBT; 

‘CCSBT Transhipment declaration’ means Annex I to the CCSBT Resolution 
on Establishing a Program for Transhipment by Large-Scale Fishing Vessels11; 

‘CCSBT  conservation  and  management  measures’  means  the  resolutions  and 
other binding measures adopted by the CCSBT; 

‘Annual  VMS  summary  report’  means  the  document  of  Attachment  A  of 
CCSBT-CC/0910/06 where the relevant VMS information is provided12; 

‘CCSBT  Compliance  Committee’  means  the  subsidiary  body  of  the  CCSBT 
that monitors, reviews and assesses compliance with CCSBT conservation and 
management measures; 

(w) 

‘Draft CCSBT IUU vessel list’ means the initial list drawn up by the CCSBT 
Secretariat. 

Article 4 
General prohibition on the targeting of SBF 

The targeting of SBF by Union fishing vessels shall be prohibited. Any SBF retained on board 
of Union fishing vessels shall account exclusively for by-catch.  

Article 5 
CCSBT Record of vessels  

1. 

Member  States  shall  provide  the  Commission  with  the  following  information  with 
respect  to  each  Union  fishing  vessel  authorised  by  the  flag  Member  States  to  have 
SBF by-catch to be included in the CCSBT Record of Vessels: 

(a)  Lloyds/IMO Number;  

(b)  name of vessel(s), register number(s);  

(c) 

previous name(s) (if any);  

(d)  previous flag(s) (if any);  

11

12 

EN 

https://www.ccsbt.org/sites/default/files/userfiles/file/docs_english/operational_resolutions/Res

olution_Transhipment.pdf 
https://www.ccsbt.org/en/system/files/resource/en/4d9169c192044/cc06.pdf 

10 

  EN 

                                                 
 
(e) 

(f) 

previous details of deletion from other registries (if any);  

international radio call sign(s) (if any); 

(g) 

type of vessel(s), length overall and gross registered tonnage (GRT);  

(h)  name and address of owner(s);  

(i) 

(j) 

name and address of operator(s);  

gear(s) used; and  

(k) 

time period authorised for fishing SBF and /or transhipping.  

It  shall  be  prohibited  to  retain  on  board,  tranship  or  export  SBF  by  Union  fishing 
vessels not included in the CCSBT Record of Vessels.  

Member  States  shall  indicate,  when  submitting  their  list  of  vessels  according  to 
paragraph  1,  those  vessels  which  are  newly  added  and  those  which  replace  vessels 
currently on the list.  

Member  States  shall  promptly  notify  the  Commission  of  any  modifications  to  the 
information  provided  under  paragraph  1.  The  Commission  shall  forward  that 
information to the CCSBT Secretariat without delay. 

Where a Union fishing vessel has been involved in IUU fishing activities, a Member 
State  may  only  send  to  the  Commission  the  information  of  paragraph  1  after 
receiving sufficient commitment from the owner of the vessel concerned that it will 
no longer conduct such activities. 

Article 6 
 Tagging of SBF 

Where SBF by-caught by Union fishing vessels is intended for export or re-export, a 
SBF tag shall be attached to each whole SBF at the time of harvesting. In exceptional 
circumstances, where a tag becomes accidentally detached and cannot be reattached, 
a replacement tag shall be attached as soon as possible and no later than the time of 
transhipment or export. 

Non-processed whole SBF may not be imported, exported, or re-exported without a 
SBF  tag  except  where  the  tag  is  no  longer  required  because  further  processing  has 
occurred. 

The SBF tag shall be attached to each individual fish while the fish carcass remains 
whole and shall  include month, area, method of  capture, and weight  and length  for 
each SBF. 

Each SBF tag shall have a unique pre-recorded tag number in an easily readable form 
which  shall  include  a  unique  flag  state  identifier  and  a  fishing  year  identifier.  SBF 
tags shall be able to be securely fastened to SBF, be non-reusable, tamper-proof and 
secure  from  counterfeiting  or  replication.  SBF  tags  shall  withstand  at  least  minus 
sixty degrees Celsius temperatures, salt water, rough-handling and be food safe. 

Flag  Member  States  shall  record  the  distribution  of  SBF  tags  to  the  vessels  flying 
their  flag  and  shall  ensure  that  their  vessels  and  operators,  and  the  relevant 
authorities have reporting procedures and formats allowing for the collection of the 
required tagging information. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

EN 

11 

  EN 

Article 7 
Catch tagging forms 

Where SBF by-caught by Union fishing vessels is intended for export or re-export, a 
catch tagging form shall be filled in as soon as possible after the time of harvesting 
of  individual  SBF.  Length  and  weight  measurements  shall  be  conducted  before  the 
SBF is frozen.  

Where  measurements  cannot  be  accurately  done  on  board  the  vessel,  the 
measurements  and  the  associated  catch  tagging  form  may  be  made  at  the  time  of 
transhipment, and in any case before any further transfer of the SBF. 

Masters of Union fishing vessels shall provide the completed catch tagging forms to 
the  authorities  of  the  flag  Member  States.  Member  States  shall  submit  the 
information in the catch tagging forms to the Commission on a quarterly basis. The 
Commission shall forward that information to the CCSBT Secretariat without delay. 

Article 8 
Trade of SBF  

All  imports,  exports  and  re-exports  of  SBF  shall  be  accompanied  by  the  CCSBT 
CDS documents and tags, as appropriate, as provided for in this Regulation.  

The importation, exportation and re-exportation of SBF parts other than the meat is 
allowed without the export or re-export form, as appropriate. 

Article 9 
Imports of SBF into the Union 

SBF imported into the Union shall be accompanied by the catch certificate set out in 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1005/2008  and  by  the  export  or  re-export  form,  as 
appropriate.  

Member  States  shall  not  accept  any  consignment  of  SBF  for  import  that  is  not 
accompanied by the required CCSBT CDS documents and tags, as appropriate.  

Full  or  partial  consignments  of  untagged  whole  unprocessed  SBF  shall  not  be 
accepted for import. 

Article 10 
Exports or re-exports of SBF 

Without prejudice to the validation of exportation of catches made by Union fishing 
vessels in accordance with Article 15(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008, 
exports or re-exports of SBF by Member States shall be accompanied by the export 
or re-export form, as appropriate.  

Member States shall not validate any consignment of SBF for export or re-export that 
it is not accompanied by the CCSBT CDS documents and tags, as appropriate.  

Full  or  partial  consignments  of  untagged  whole  unprocessed  SBF  shall  not  be 
validated for export or re-export. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

EN 

12 

  EN 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

1. 

Article 11  
Validation of CCSBT CDS documents issued by flag Member States or Member States 

The competent authorities of the flag Member State or Member State, as appropriate, 
shall  verify  the  catch  monitoring,  catch  tagging,  export  and  re-export  forms.  They 
shall not validate any forms or CCSBT CDS documents that are incomplete or have 
incorrect information.  

Flag  Member  States  shall  notify  to  the  Commission  their  competent  authorities  for 
the  validation  of  the  catch  certificates  referred  to  in  paragraph  1  where  those 
authorities  are  different  from  the  authorities  referred  to  in  Article  15(1)  of  Council 
Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008. The Commission shall transmit that information to 
the CCSBT Secretariat without delay. 

Member States shall undertake an appropriate level of audit, including inspections of 
vessels, landings, and where possible markets, to the extent necessary to validate the 
information  contained  in  the  CDS  documentation  and  report  to  the  Commission 
details on the measures undertaken to ensure compliance with this paragraph.  

Article 12 
Verification of CCSBT CDS documents received by Member States  

Member  States  shall  undertake  an  appropriate  level  of  verifications,  including 
inspections of vessels, landings, and where possible markets, to the extent necessary 
to validate the information contained in the CCSBT CDS documents. They shall not 
validate any forms or CCSBT CDS documents that are incomplete or have incorrect 
information. 

Without prejudice to the verifications of Article 17 of Council Regulation (EC) No 
1005/2008, Member States shall ensure that their competent authorities identify each 
consignment of SBF imported into, or exported or re-exported from, the Union and 
examine the CCSBT CDS documents for each consignment of SBF. The competent 
authorities  may  also  examine  the  content  of  the  consignment  to  verify  the 
information contained in the CCSBT CDS document and in related documents and, 
where necessary, shall carry out verifications with the operators concerned. 

Member States shall report to the Commission details on the measures undertaken to 
ensure compliance with this provision. 

Each  Member  State  shall,  as  soon  as  practicable,  notify  to  the  Commission  of  any 
consignments of SBF where there are doubts about the information contained in any 
CCSBT  CDS  documents  or  related  documents,  or  incomplete,  missing  or  non-
validated CCSBT CDS documents. The Commission shall report that information to 
the CCSBT Secretariat without delay.  

Article 13 
Review and investigation of CCSBT CDS reports 

Where  the  Commission  receives  a  report  from  the  CCSBT  Secretariat  on  the 
implementation  of  the  CCSBT  CDS  provisions  containing  information  to  be 
reviewed by a Member State, it shall forward it without delay to the relevant Member 
State, which shall review the information and investigate any irregularities identified. 

EN 

13 

  EN 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

Each Member State shall cooperate and take all necessary steps to investigate matters 
related to the implementation of the CCSBT CDS and notify the Commission of the 
outcome of any such action.  

Member States shall cooperate to ensure that CCSBT CDS documents are not forged 
and/or do not contain misinformation. 

Article 14 
Records of CCSBT CDS documents 

Member  States  shall  retain  all  original  CCSBT  CDS  documents,  or  scanned 
electronic  copies  of  the  original  documents,  received  by  them  for  a  period  of  three 
years or longer in accordance with national rules.  

Member  States  shall  also  retain  a  copy  of  any  CCSBT  CDS  document  issued  by 
them fora period of three years or longer in accordance with national rules.  

Copies of the documents referred to in paragraph 1 and 2, except the catch tagging 
form, shall be forwarded to the Commission without delay at the latest before the end 
of the subsequent quarter following the date where they were issued or received, for 
submission to the CCSBT Secretariat. 

Article 15 
Transhipment ports 

All transhipments of SBF shall take place in port. 

Flag Member States shall designate ports of transhipment of SBF for vessels flying 
their  flag  and  communicate  with  the  designated  port  States  to  share  relevant 
information required for effective monitoring. 

Article 16 
Transhipment notification  

Prior  to  transhipping,  the  master  of  the  Union  fishing  vessel  shall  notify  the 
following information to the port State authorities, at least 48 hours in advance or as 
specified  by  the  port  State  authorities,  or  immediately  after  the  end  of  fishing 
operations if the time to the port is less than 48 hours: 

(a) 

the name of the Union fishing vessel and its number in the CCSBT record of 
vessels; 

(b) 

the SBF product to be transhipped and its tonnage; 

(c) 

the date and location of transhipment; 

(d) 

the FAO area or subarea of the SBF by-catches. 

2. 

The master of the Union fishing vessel shall, at the time of the transhipment, inform 
its flag Member State of the following: 

(a) 

the SBF products and quantities involved; 

(b) 

the date and place of the transhipment; 

(c) 

the name, registration number  and flag of the receiving  carrier vessel,  and its 
number in the CCSBT record of vessels authorised to receive transhipments; 

(d) 

the FAO alpha-3 code, area or sub-area of the SBF catches. 

EN 

14 

  EN 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

Article 17 
CCSBT Transhipment declaration 

The  master  of  the  Union  fishing  vessel  involved  in  a  transhipment  of  SBF  shall 
complete and transmit to its flag Member State the CCSBT transhipment declaration, 
along with its number in the CCSBT record of fishing vessels.  

By way of derogation from Article 22(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, 
the CCSBT transhipment declaration shall be transmitted to the flag Member State at 
the latest 15 days after the transhipment. 

Article 18 
Vessels Monitoring System (VMS) 

When  the  Commission  receives  a  request  from  a  member  or  cooperating  non-
member  of  the  Extended  Commission  to  provide  VMS  data  concerning  a  Union 
fishing  vessel  concerning  an  incident  concerning  a  specific  Union  fishing  vessel 
in  contravention  of  CCSBT  conservation  and 
suspected 
management measures, the Commission shall forward it without delay to the relevant 
Member State.  

to  have  operated 

The  flag  Member  State  of  that  vessel  shall  investigate  the  incident  and  provide 
details of the investigation to the Commission which will transmit without delay the 
information to the member or cooperating non-member which requested VMS data. 

Flag Member States of vessels that have by-caught SBF on a given year shall provide 
the  Annual  VMS  summary  report  for  that  year  to  the  Commission  6  weeks  in 
advance  of  the  CCSBT  Compliance  Committee  meeting  for  its  transmission  to  the 
CCSBT Secretariat. 

Article 19 
Inclusion of a Union fishing vessel in the draft CCSBT IUU vessel list 

Where  the  Commission  receives  from  the  CCSBT  Secretariat  notification  of  the 
inclusion  of  a  Union  fishing  vessel  in  the  draft  CCSBT  IUU  vessel  list,  it  shall 
transmit  the  notification,  including  the  supporting  evidence  and  any  other 
documented  information  provided  by  the  CCSBT  Secretariat,  to  the  flag  Member 
State for information and comments. The Commission shall examine and forward the 
information provided by the flag Member State related to the inclusion of the vessel 
in  the  Draft  CCSBT  IUU  vessel  list  to  the  CCSBT  Secretariat  at  least  6  weeks  in 
advance of the CCSBT Compliance Committee meeting. 

Once  notified  by  the  Commission,  the  authorities  of  the  flag  Member  State  shall 
notify  without  delay  the  owner  of  the  fishing  vessel  of  its  inclusion  in  the  Draft 
CCSBT  IUU  vessel  list  and  of  the  consequences  that  may  result  from  its  eventual 
inclusion in the IUU vessel list adopted by the CCSBT. 

Article 20 
Alleged non-compliance status reported by the CCSBT Secretariat 

If the Commission receives from the CCSBT Secretariat any information indicating a 
possible non-compliance status with the Convention and/or CCSBT conservation and 
management  measures  by  a  Member  State,  the  Commission  shall  transmit  that 
information to the concerned Member State without delay. 

EN 

15 

  EN 

2. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The  Member  State  shall  provide  the  Commission  with  the  findings  of  any 
investigation  undertaken  in  relation  to  the  possible  non-compliance  status  and  any 
actions taken to address it at least 8 weeks in advance of the annual meeting of the 
CCSBT Compliance Committee.  

Article 21 
Points of contact and alleged infringements of CCSBT conservation and management 
measures following a port inspection by a CCSBT Member 

Port  Member  States  shall  designate  a  point  of  contact  for  the  purpose  of  receiving 
port inspection reports from CCSBT members. 

Member States shall  transmit  any  changes to  the designated point of contact  to  the 
Commission at least 21 days before the changes take effect. The Commission shall 
forward  that  information  to  the  CCSBT  Secretariat  at  least  14 days  before  such 
changes take effect. 

If  the  point  of  contact  designated  by  a  Member  State  receives  an  inspection  report 
from  a  CCSBT  Member  providing  evidence  that  a  fishing  vessel  flying  the  flag  of 
that Member State has  committed an infringement  of the CCSBT  conservation and 
management measures, the flag Member State shall promptly investigate the alleged 
infringement and notify the Commission of the status of the investigation, and of any 
enforcement  action that  may  have been taken, to enable the Commission  to  inform 
the  CCSBT  Secretariat  within  three  months  of  receipt  of  the  notification  by  the 
Member State.  

If the Member State cannot provide the Commission with a status report within six 
months of the receipt of the inspection report, it shall notify the Commission before 
the  end  of  that  six  month  period  of  the  reasons  why  and  of  the  date  by  which  the 
status  report  will  be  submitted.  The  Commission  shall  transmit  without  delay  the 
information  regarding  the  status  or  delay  of  the  investigation  to  the  CCSBT 
Secretariat. 

Article 22 
Monthly by-catch reporting 

Flag  Member  States  whose  flagged  vessels  have  by-caught  SBF,  shall  report  to  the 
Commission on the 15th of each month for the by-catch of the preceding month in accordance 
with  Article  33  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  1224/2009.  The  information  to  be  reported  to  the 
Commission  shall  also  include  any  discards  and  information  on  whether  the  discarded  by-
catch was live and vigorous, moribund or dead and the total cumulative SBF by-catch for the 
year. The Commission shall transmit that information to the CCSBT Secretariat no later than 
the last day of each month. 

Article 23 
Annual reporting 

1. 

Member  States  shall  report  to  the  Commission  at  the  latest  six  weeks  before  the 
annual meeting of the CCSBT Compliance Committee the following information: 

(a) 

the details on any audits undertaken in accordance to Article 12 to validate the 
information contained in the CDS documentation; 

EN 

16 

  EN 

(b) 

(c) 

the  quantities  and  percentage  of  SBF  transhipped  in  port  during  the  previous 
fishing  season  and  the  list  of  the  vessels  flying  their  flag  which  have 
transhipped in port during the previous fishing season; 

flag Member States whose flagged vessels have by-caught SBF shall report to 
the Commission on the annual by-catch for the year in accordance with Article 
33 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, including any discards and information 
on  whether  the  discarded  by-catch  was  live  and  vigorous,  moribund  or  dead, 
and the Annual VMS summary report. 

Article 24 
 Confidentiality 

In  addition  to  the  obligations  laid  down  in  Articles  112  and  113  of  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1224/2009,  Member  States  and  the  Commission  shall  ensure  confidential  treatment  of 
electronic reports and messages transmitted to and received from the CCSBT Secretariat. 

Article 25 
Delegation of power 

1. 

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts amending  or supplementing 
this  Regulation  in  accordance  with  Article  26  concerning  measures  adopted  by 
CCSBT in the following areas: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

targeting by Union fishing vessels of SBF of Article 4; 

the  information  to  be  provided  for  the  inclusion  of  a  vessel  in  the  CCSBT 
Record of Vessels in Article 5; 

the time limits or periods related to reporting for catch tagging forms laid down 
in  Article  7(3),  retention  of  CDS  documents  laid  down  in  Article  14(2), 
transmission  of  transhipment  notifications  and  declarations  laid  down  in 
Article  16(1),  transmission  of  information  to  the  CCSBT  Compliance 
Committee concerning the IUU vessel list and investigation reports laid down 
in  Article  19(1)  and  Article  20(1),  transmission  of  information  concerning 
point of contact for port inspections laid down in Article 21(2), transmission of 
by-catch  report  laid  down  in  Article  22,  and  deadline  for  the  submission  of 
reports laid down in Article 23(1).  

Delegated  acts  amending  or  supplementing  this  Regulation  in  accordance  with 
paragraph  1  shall  be  strictly  limited  to  the  implementation  in  Union  law  of 
amendments to the CCSBT measures. 

Article 26 
Exercise of the delegation 

The  power  to  adopt  delegated  acts  is  conferred  on  the  Commission  subject  to 
conditions laid down in this Article. 

The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 25 shall be conferred on the 
Commission  for  a  period  of  five  years  from  the  date  of  entry  into  force  of  this 
Regulation. 

The delegation of power referred to in Article 25 may be revoked at any time by the 
European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the 
delegation  of  the  power  specified  in  that  decision.  It  shall  take  effect  the  day 
following  the  publication  of  the  decision  in  the  Official  Journal  of  the  European 

2. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

EN 

17 

  EN 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Union  or  at  a  later  date  specified  therein.  It  shall  not  affect  the  validity  of  any 
delegated act already in force. 

Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by 
each  Member  State 
the 
in  accordance  with 
Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. 

the  principles 

laid  down 

in 

As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to 
the European Parliament and to the Council. 

A  delegated  act  adopted  pursuant  to  Article  25  shall  enter  into  force  only  if  no 
objection  has  been  expressed  either  by  the  European  Parliament  or  the  Council 
within a period of 2 months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and 
the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the 
Council  have  both  informed  the  Commission  that  they  will  not  object.  That  period 
shall be extended by 2 months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the 
Council. 

Article 27 
Entry into force 

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

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

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

EN 

18 

  EN