Regulation (EU) 2015/478 on common rules for imports (codification)

What it is

The Committee on Legal Affairs adopted the report by Andrzej DUDA (ECR, PL) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for imports (codified text). It recommended the European Parliament to adopt its position at first reading, taking over the Commission proposal as adapted to the recommendations of the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, stated that the proposal in question contains a straightforward codification of the existing texts without any change in their substance. The European Parliament adopted by 639 votes to 30, with 35 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for imports (codified text). Parliament adopted its position at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure taking over the Commission proposal as adapted to the recommendations of the Consultative Working Party of the legal services of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. According to the Consultative Working Party, the proposal in question contains a straightforward codification of the existing texts without any change in their substance. The proposed regulation establishes the principle of freedom to import products from third countries, subject to possible safeguard measures. It shall apply to imports of products originating in third countries, except for: (a) textile products subject to specific import rules under Regulation (EC) No 517/94; (b) products originating in certain third countries listed in Council Regulation (EC) No 625/2009. The proposal establishes provisions regarding: (i) the Commission's information and consultation procedure regarding the need for surveillance or safeguard measures; (ii) the Union investigation procedure prior to the application of any safeguard measure, (iii) Union surveillance measures; (iv) safeguard measures. PURPOSE: to codify Council Regulation (EC) n° 260/2009 on common rules for imports. LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2015/478 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for imports (codification). CONTENT: the Regulation codifies and repeals Council Regulation (EC) n° 260/2009 which has been substantially amended on several occasions. The new Regulation establishes the principle of freedom to import from third countries, with safeguard measures in place. It applies to imports of products originating in third countries, except for: (i) textile products subject to specific import rules under Regulation (EC) No 517/94; (ii) products originating in certain third countries listed in Council Regulation (EC) No 625/2009. Information and consultation procedure : Member States shall inform the Commission if trends in imports appear to call for surveillance or safeguard measures. The Commission shall examine the terms and conditions under which imports occur, the trend in imports, the various aspects of the economic and trade situations and, where…

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