Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff^f1, and in particular Article 9(1)(a) thereof,

Whereas:

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 of 11 July 1991 on the characteristics of olive oil and on the relevant methods of analysis^f2 has been updated by Regulation (EC) No 702/2007 to take account of the conclusions of chemical experts. The adjustments introduced in Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 consisted in particular in the determination of the percentage of 2-glyceryl monopalmitate which is more precise for the detection of esterified oils, and the decreasing of the limit value for stigmastadiene in virgin olive oils which makes it possible to achieve a better separation of virgin and refined olive oils.

As a consequence, Additional note 2 to Chapter 15 of the Combined Nomenclature on olive oils should also be adjusted.

Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 should therefore be amended accordingly.

The amendment made to Regulation (EEC) No 2568/91 in 2007 is to be applied from 1 January 2008. To be consistent, this Regulation should apply from the same date.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Customs Code Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: