31976R3023

No L 349/96 Official Journal of the European Communities 20 . 12 . 76

. COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 3023/76 of 13 December 1976 opening tariff preferences in the form of a suspension of customs duties for jute manu­ factures originating in India, Thailand and Bangladesh and for coir manufactures originating in India and Sri Lanka

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES , Whereas the Agreements concluded (between the Community and India on jute (2) and coir (3) manufactures expired on 31 December 1975 ; whereas Having regard to the Treaty establishing the pending the conclusion of a new Agreement with European Economic Community, this country and with particular reference to terms enabling the special arrangements referred to above Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, to be put into effect, the Community has considered that is is advisable in general to extend for 1976 the preferential tariff scheme which was in force for 1975 ; Having regard to the opinion of the European whereas the same scheme has also been for Bangla­ Parliament (*), desh but exclusively for its jute products, whose situation is appreciably the same as that described above ; Whereas, within the context of UNCTAD, the European Economic Community offered to grant tariff preferences on finished and semi-finished products coming from developing countries ; whereas Whereas, for coir products, negotiations with India the preferential treatment proposed in that offer have just ended, and these involve a reduction of 80% covers, generally speaking, all finished and semi­ in the duties under ithe Common Customs Tariff as finished industrial products covered by Chapters 25 of 1 July 1976 ; whereas therefore it seems advisable to 99 of the Common Customs Tariff which originate to apply this reduction from the above date, within in developing countries ; the framework of the generalized tariff preferences scheme ; whereas, as far as jute products are con­ cerned, the fresh negotiations with India and Bangla­ Whereas the offer made by the Community includes desh, which have also just ended, result in the a clause stating that the Community drew up the application of reductions which are at least equivalent ; offer on the assumption that all the main whereas in view of the ad hoc measures agreed industrialized countries which are members of the between the Community and Sri Lanka in respect of OECD would participate in granting preferences and coir manufactures and between the Community and would make similar efforts in this direction ; whereas, Thailand in respect of jute manufactures, the moreover, it is evident from the conclusions worked preferential tariff scheme applied at the end of 1976 out in UNCTAD that this offer, while being of may be adjusted as regards these two countries ; a temporary nature, does not constitute a binding commitment and, in particular, may be withdrawn wholly or in part at a later date ; whereas this Whereas, in accordance with Protocol 23 to the possibility may be adopted inter alia with a view to Act of Accession (4), the generalized tariff preference remedying any unfavourable situations which might scheme became fully applicable in the new Member arise in the ACP States following the implementation States on 1 January 1974 ; of the generalized preference scheme ;

Whereas, however, as regards jute and coir products, Whereas the benefit of these suspensions should be the said offer includes the elimination of customs restricted to the said products originating in India, duties only where special arrangements have been made with the developing exporting countries ;

(2) OJ No L 82 , 27. 3 . 1974, p . 11 . ( 3) OJ No L 82 , 27. 3 . 1974, p . 17. (!) OJ No C 259, 4. 11 . 1976, p . 27. ( 4) OJ No L 73 , 27. 3 . 1972 , p. 14.

20 . 12 . 76 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 349/97

Bangladesh, Thailand and Sri Lanka, the concept of Council Regulation (EEC) No 802/68 of 27 June 'originating products' being determined in accord­ 1968 on the common definition of the concept of the ance with the procedure laid down in Article 14 of origin of goods ( 1),

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :

Article1¶

1 . From 1 January to 31 December 1977, the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products listed hereinafter shall be suspended at the following preferential rates :

CCT Preferential heading Description rates of duty No %

57.06 Yarn of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading No 57.03 0

57.10 Woven fabrics of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading No 57.03 : A. Of a width of not more than 150 cm and weighing per m2 : I. Less than 310 g 4 II. Not less than 310 g but not more than 500 g 3-8 III. More than 500 g 3

B. Of a width of more than 150 cm 4-4

58.02 Other carpets , carpeting , rugs , mats and matting and ' Kelem', 'Schumacks' and ' Karamanie' rugs and the like (made up or not) :

A. Carpets , carpeting, rugs , mats and matting : ex I. Coir mats and matting, and tufted carpets of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading No 57.03 and of coir 4-6 ex II. Carpets , carpeting, rugs , mats and matting, of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading No 57.03 0

ex 59.04 Twine, cordage, ropes and cables , plaited or not, of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading No 57.03 0

62.03 Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods : A. Of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading No 57.03 : II . Other : a) Of fabric weighing less than 310 g/m2 4 b) Of fabric weighing not less than 310 g/m2 but not more than 500 g/m2 3-8 c) Of fabric weighing more than 500 g/m2 3

( l) OJ No L 148 , 28 . 6. 1968 , p. 1 .

No L 349/98 Official Journal of the European Communities 20 . 12 . 76

2. On importation of the said goods into Denmark Article 2 and the United Kingdom, the duties to be applied shall be those of their customs tariff suspended at 1 . The Commission, in close collaboration with the level of those applied in 1973 . Member States, shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the foregoing provisions are applied. 3 . The benefit of the suspensions referred to in paragraph 1 shall be restricted to products originating in India until 31 December 1977. Products originating 2. The Member States shall, on request, inform in Bangladesh and Thailand, except coir mats and the Commission of imports benefiting under the matting and tufted carpets of coir, shall also benefit preceding provisions. from these suspensions. Coiir mats and matting and tufted carpets of coir originating in Sri Lanka shall also benefit from the suspensions. For the purposes Article 3 of this Regulation, the concept of 'originating products' shall be determined in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 14 of Regulation This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January ( EEC) No 802/68 . 1977.

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

Done at Brussels, 13 December 1976 .

For the Council The President

M. van der STOEL