Article 3

Where an importer enters a product covered by this Regulation for free circulation in a Member State accompanied by:

• a request for preferential treatment, and

• a movement certificate, complying with the rules laid down in the Protocol concerning the definition of the concept of originating products and methods of administrative cooperation annexed to Decision 97/126/EC^f1,

and his declaration is accepted by the customs authorities, the Member State concerned shall, by notifying the Commission accordingly, draw a quantity from the quota concerned to satisfy the requirement.

Applications for drawings from the quotas shall indicate the date on which the declarations were accepted and shall be sent to the Commission forthwith.

Drawings shall be granted by the Commission on the basis of the date when the declarations for free circulation were accepted by the customs authorities of the Member State concerned, provided the available balance is sufficient.

Where a Member State fails to use the quantities drawn, it shall return them as soon as possible to the relevant quota.

Where the quantities applied for are in excess of the available balance, allocation shall be made in proportion to the requirements. The Member State shall be informed by the Commission of the quantities drawn.