Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer^f1, and in particular to Article 7 thereof,

Whereas:

The quantitative limits for the placing on the market in the Community of controlled substances are set out in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 and Annex III thereto.

Article 4(3)(i)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 sets out the total calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which producers and importers may place on the market or use for their own account in the period 1 January to 31 December 2009.

The Commission has published a notice to importers in the Community of controlled substances that deplete the ozone layer^f2 and has thereby received declarations on intended imports in 2009.

For hydrochlorofluorocarbons the allocation of quotas to producers and importers is in accordance with the provisions of Commission Decision 2007/195/EC of 27 March 2007 determining a mechanism for the allocation of quotas to producers and importers for hydrochlorofluorocarbons for the years 2003 to 2009 under Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f3.

For the purpose of ensuring that operators and companies benefit from allocated import quotas in due time and thereby ensure the necessary continuity of their operations, it is appropriate that this Decision should apply as of 1 January 2009.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 18(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: