Common EU rules for exports

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2015/479 on common rules for exports

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It lays down the basic principle that the export of products from EU countries to other countries is not subject to quantitative restrictions. It also sets out rules regarding a procedure for taking protective measures.

KEY POINTS

The regulation applies to all products, whether industrial or agricultural.

Protective measures

• In order to prevent a critical situation from arising due to a shortage of essential products, the European Commission may make the export of a good subject to the production of an export authorisation. The measures may be limited to exports to certain countries or to exports from certain regions of the EU. They will not, however, affect products already on their way to the EU frontier.
• For instance, in the context of the outbreak of COVID-19 for example, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/402, for a limited period of time, required certain personal protective equipment — whether or not it originated in the EU — to be authorised by EU countries’ competent authorities for export outside the EU, other than to countries in the European Free Trade Association, territories dependent on EU supply chains (e.g. Andorra) and certain overseas territories. The measure sought to ensure that personal protective equipment was available in EU countries to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The implementing act laid down the procedure to request the authorisation and its Annex I listed the products requiring authorisation (protective glasses and visors, gloves, protective garments, mouth-nose-protection equipment and face shields).
• The Commission must adopt any protective measures in the interests of the EU with due regard for existing international obligations (for example, stemming from the EU’s membership of the World Trade Organization).

Information and consultation

• If an EU country considers that protective measures might be necessary due to unusual developments on the market, it must notify the Commission. The latter then advises the other EU countries.
• The Commission may request EU countries to supply statistical data on market trends in a particular product in order to assess the economic and commercial situation as regards that product.

Implementation

The Committee on Safeguards comprising EU countries’ representatives, set up under Regulation (EU) 2015/478 on common rules for imports, assists the Commission in implementing the regulation.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 16 April 2015. It repeals Regulation (EC) No 1061/2009 with immediate effect.

BACKGROUND

The regulation codifies of Council Regulation (EC) No 1061/2009, which had been substantially amended on previous occasions. It is part of the EU’s common commercial policy, which is based on uniform principles for all EU countries.

For more information, see:

• Export from the EU (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2015/479 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 on common rules for exports (codification) (OJ L 83, 27.3.2015, pp. 34-40)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/402 of 14 March 2020 making the exportation of certain products subject to the production of an export authorisation (OJ L 77I, 15.3.2020, pp. 1-7)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2020/402 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Regulation (EU) 2015/478 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 on common rules for imports (OJ L 83, 27.3.2015, pp. 16-33)

last update 08.04.2020