Explanatory note

These Regulations implement Directive 96/100/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No. L60, 17.2.97, p.59) which amends the Annex to Directive 93/7/EEC on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a member State (OJ No. L74, 27.3.93, p.74), which in turn was implemented by the Return of Cultural Objects Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/501) (“the 1994 Regulations”).

Regulation 2(2) amends the definition of “the Directive” in the 1994 Regulations so that it includes a reference to Directive 96/100/EC.

Regulation 2(3) introduces an additional category of objects which may constitute a national treasure for the purposes of the 1994 Regulations provided the monetary value of any such object is above the specified financial threshold.