Article 1

By way of derogation from Articles 67 et seq. of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93, products listed in the annex to this Regulation which are manufactured in Laos from woven fabric (woven items) or yarn (knitted items) imported into that country and originating in a country belonging to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) (except Myanmar), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) or the Lome Convention shall be regarded as originating in Laos in accordance with the arrangements set out below.

For the purposes of paragraph 1, products shall be considered as originating in Asean or SAARC when they are obtained in these countries according to the rules of origin provided in Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93, or as originating in the beneficiary countries of the Lome Convention when they are obtained in these countries according to the rules of origin provided in Protocol No 1 to the Fourth ACP-EEC Convention^f1.

The competent authorities of Laos shall undertake to take all of the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the provisions of paragraph 2.