Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2015/478 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 on common rules for imports^f1, and in particular Article 10 thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2015/755 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 on common rules for imports from certain third countries^f2, and in particular Article 7 thereof,

After consulting the Committee on Safeguards and Common Rules for exports,

Whereas:

Following the entry into force of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/670^f3, certain comments were received from economic operators and national competent authorities. After carefully analysing these comments, it was concluded that certain amendments to the Annexes of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/670 are appropriate.

The procedure for issuing the surveillance document should be clarified.

The products subject to prior surveillance and falling under Harmonized System (‘HS’) heading 7318 are typically traded in numerous but relatively small sized transactions, which are often operated based on a just-in-time system. Given the specificities of this business model, in order to minimise any unnecessary constraints and not to disturb the activities of the companies active in this sector, in particular those close to the borders, imports of these products whose net weight does not exceed 5 000 kg should be excluded from the application of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/670.

It became apparent that there are clerical errors in Annex I. Therefore, it is necessary to delete HS heading 7303 from Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/670 while HS heading 7229 should be added.

Following comments received from the competent national authorities, it is also necessary to update the contact details in Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/670.

National authorities should be encouraged to accept electronic versions of the surveillance document,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: