Council Regulation (EEC) No 3679/85 of 20 December 1985 amending Regulation (EEC) No 950/68 on the Common Customs Tariff

COUNCIL  REGULATION (EEC) No 3679/85
of 20 December 1985
amending Regulation (EEC) No 950/68 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 113 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas the Community has bound the customs duty on television image and sound recorders and reproducers falling within subheading 92.11 B of the Common Customs Tariff at a rate of 8 %; whereas that binding is contained in the European Economic Community's schedule LXXII-EEC annexed to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT);
Whereas the Community has found it desirable to replace the present voluntary export restraints on television image and sound recorders and reproducers, which are due to expire on 31 December 1985, with an appropriate tariff measure, thereby providing adequate import protection consistent with the GATT; whereas the Community has accordingly invoked Article XXVIII of the GATT in order to modify its international commitment on the level of its customs duties for this product;
Whereas it has not been possible to reach agreement with the main supplier;
Whereas under Article XXVIII (3) (a) of the GATT, the Community is entitled, in the absence of agreement between the partners primarly concerned, to modify the concession in question; whereas the Community considers that it is necessary to proceed with the tariff modification proposed;
Whereas the tariff concession on those television image and sound recorders and reproducers using magnetic tapes of a width of 1,3 cm or less and allowing recording or reproduction at a speed of 50 mm per second or less should be raised from 8 % to 14 % from 1 January 1986;
Whereas, by way of compensation, the tariff concession on certain products falling within subheading 85.21 D II should be reduced from 17 % to 14 % and those on certain products falling within subheading 84.52 B, 85.15 A III and 92.11 A III should be reduced to zero from 1 January 1986;
Whereas, by way of compensation, account should also be taken of the consequences of the alignment of the tariffs of Spain and Portugal for products falling within subheadings 92.11 B, 85.21 D II, 84.52 B, 85.15 A III and 92.11 A III on the Common Customs Tariff as a consequence of their accession to the Community on 1 January 1986;
Whereas these amendments should therefore be made to the Common Customs Tariff annexed to Council Regulation (EEC) No 950/68 (1),