Commission Regulation (EC) No 1205/2003 of 4 July 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 753/2002 laying down certain rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 as regards the description, designation, presentation and protection of certain wine sector products

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1205/2003
of 4 July 2003
amending Regulation (EC) No 753/2002 laying down certain rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 as regards the description, designation, presentation and protection of certain wine sector products
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine(1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 806/2003(2), and in particular Article 80(b) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 753/2002(3), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2086/2002(4), lays down 1 August 2003 as the date from which it is to apply to allow economic operators in the wine sector and the national authorities concerned enough time to prepare for the new labelling rules laid down in that Regulation.
(2) Regulation (EC) No 753/2002 provides for a transitional period up to 1 August 2003 during which economic operators may continue to use labels and pre-packaging material bearing particulars which were printed in conformity with the provisions applicable when they were put into circulation but which no longer conform to the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 753/2002.
(3) Following discussions between the national authorities concerned and between those authorities and the trade, it is necessary to prolong that transitional period to 1 February 2004 to allow economic operators to use labels and pre-packaging material complying with the previous provisions.
(4) Regulation (EC) No 753/2002 should be amended accordingly.
(5) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Wine,