Division 16 Regulation (EC) No 55/2008

As regards Regulation (EC) No 55/2008, in order to ensure uniform conditions for its implementation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

The advisory procedure should be used for the adoption of surveillance and provisional measures and for the temporary suspension of preferential treatment given the effects of such measures and their sequential logic in relation to the adoption of definitive safeguard measures. Where a delay in the imposition of measures would cause damage which would be difficult to repair, it is necessary to allow the Commission to adopt immediately applicable provisional measures.

Accordingly, Regulation (EC) No 55/2008 is amended as follows:

1. (1)

   Article 3(3) is replaced by the following:

   "3.

   Notwithstanding other provisions of this Regulation, in particular Article 10, if imports of agricultural products cause serious disturbance to the Union markets and their regulatory mechanisms, the Commission may take the appropriate measures by means of implementing acts. Such implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11a(5).".

2. (2)

   Article 4 is replaced by the following:

   Implementation of tariff quotas for dairy products

   "Article 4

   The detailed rules for implementing the tariff quotas for headings 0401 to 0406 shall be determined by the Commission by means of implementing acts. Such implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11a(5).".

3. (3)

   Article 8 is deleted.

4. (4)

   Article 10 is amended as follows:

   1. (a)

      in paragraph 1, the introductory wording is replaced by the following:

      "1.

      Where the Commission finds that there is sufficient evidence of fraud, irregularities or systematic failure by Moldova to comply, or to ensure compliance, with the rules of origin of products and the procedures related thereto, or to provide administrative cooperation as referred to in Article 2(1), or to comply with any of the other conditions defined in Article 2(1), it may take measures in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11a(5) to suspend in whole or in part the preferential arrangements provided for in this Regulation for a period of not more than six months, provided that it has first:";

   2. (b)

      paragraph 2 is deleted;

   3. (c)

      paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

      "3.

      On conclusion of the period of suspension, the Commission shall decide either to terminate the provisional suspension measure or to extend the suspension measure in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11a(5).".

5. (5)

   Article 11 is amended as follows:

   1. (a)

      paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

      "1.

      Where a product originating in Moldova is imported on terms which cause, or threaten to cause, serious difficulties to a Union producer of like or directly competing products, Common Customs Tariff duties on that product may be reintroduced at any time by the Commission in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11a(5).";

   2. (b)

      paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 are replaced by the following:

      "5.

      The investigation shall be completed within six months after the publication of the notice referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article. The Commission may, in the case of exceptional circumstances, extend that period in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 11a(4).

      6.

      The Commission shall take a decision within three months, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11a(5). Such a decision shall enter into force within one month from the date of its publication.

      7.

      Where exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make an investigation impossible, the Commission may take any preventive measure which is strictly necessary, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 11a(6).".

6. (6)

   The following article is inserted:

   Committee procedure

   "Article 11a

   1.

   For the purpose of Article 3(3) and Articles 11 and 12 of this Regulation, the Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Safeguards established by Article 4(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 260/2009^f1. That Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f2.

   2.

   For the purpose of Article 4 of this Regulation, the Commission shall be assisted by the committee established by Article 195 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007^f3. That Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

   3.

   For the purpose of Article 10 of this Regulation, the Commission shall be assisted by the committee established by Article 184 of Regulation (EC) No 450/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f4. That Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

   4.

   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

   5.

   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

   6.

   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011, in conjunction with Article 4 thereof, shall apply.

7. (7)

   In Article 12, the second paragraph is replaced by the following:

   "If Moldova does not comply with the rules of origin or does not provide administrative cooperation, as required by Article 2, for the aforementioned Chapters 17, 18, 19 and 21, or if imports of products under these Chapters subject to the preferential arrangements granted under this Regulation significantly exceed the usual levels of exports of Moldova, appropriate measures shall be taken in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 11a(5).".