Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2018)837 - EU position as regards the forms to be used for certificates for the import of wine products from Japan into the EU and the modalities concerning the self-certification - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2018)837 - EU position as regards the forms to be used for certificates for the import of wine products from Japan into the EU and the ... |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2018)837  |
| date | 14-12-2018 |
1. Subject matter of the proposal
This proposal concerns the decision establishing the position to be taken on the Union's behalf in the Working Group on Wine in connection with the envisaged adoption of the decision on the forms to be used as certificate for the import of wine products originating in Japan into the European Union and the modalities concerning the implementation of self-certification. This proposal is made with a view to ensuring that the Working Group on Wine can adopt the aforesaid decision at the entry into force of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Japan (1 February 2019).
2. Context of the proposal
2.1.The Economic Partnership Agreement
The Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Japan (‘the Agreement’) aims to liberalise and facilitate trade and investment, as well as to promote a closer economic relationship between the Parties. The Agreement shall enter into force on [date of entry into force].
2.2.The Working Group on Wine
Pursuant to Article 22.4 of the Agreement, a Working Group on Wine is established. The Working Group on Wine is responsible for the effective implementation and operation of Section C and Annex 2-E.
2.3.The envisaged act of the Working Group on Wine
Pursuant to Article 2.35(3) of the Agreement, the Working Group on Wine, shall hold its first meeting on the date of entry into force of the Agreement. On [date of entry into force], during its first meeting, the Working Group is to adopt a decision on the forms to be used as certificate for the import of wine products originating in Japan into the European Union and the modalities concerning the implementation of self-certification (‘the envisaged act’).
The purpose of the envisaged act is to effectively implement Section C and Annex 2-E of the Agreement, and in particular Article 2.28(1) of the Agreement.
3. Position to be taken on the Union's behalf
The Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Japan, subject to the Commission proposal for a Council Decision COM(2018)192 final, contains a comprehensive section on the mutual facilitation of wine exports, so-called ”wine package”. It includes in particular the complete tariff elimination, at entry into force of the Agreement, of the European wines and sparkling wines exported to Japan, the protection in the Japanese territory of around 130 names of EU wine geographical indications, the approval of several EU oenological practices including priority additives for use in wine and the adoption of simplified certification of Japan wines imported into the EU by a decision of the Working group on Wine.
The attached envisaged act of the Working Group allows for the implementation of this comprehensive section by establishing the forms to be used as certificate for the import of wine products originating in Japan into the EU and the modalities concerning the implementation of self-certification.
The forms and the modalities concerning self-certification are consistent with the European Union policies on facilitating trade and cooperating on prevention of fraud with third countries that concluded agreements with the Union.
Therefore their adoption should be endorsed.
4. Legal basis
4.1.Procedural legal basis
4.1.1.Principles
Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides for decisions establishing ‘the positions to be adopted on the Union’s behalf in a body set up by an agreement, when that body is called upon to adopt acts having legal effects, with the exception of acts supplementing or amending the institutional framework of the agreement.’
The concept of ‘acts having legal effects’ includes acts that have legal effects by virtue of the rules of international law governing the body in question. It also includes instruments that do not have a binding effect under international law, but that are ‘capable of decisively influencing the content of the legislation adopted by the EU legislature’ 1 .
4.1.2.Application to the present case
The Working Group on Wine is a body set up by the Agreement.
The act which the Working Group on Wine is called upon to adopt constitutes an act having legal effects. The envisaged act will be binding under international law in accordance with Article 1.3 of the Agreement.
The envisaged act does not supplement or amend the institutional framework of the Agreement.
Therefore, the procedural legal basis for the proposed decision is Article 218(9) TFEU.
4.2.Substantive legal basis
4.2.1.Principles
The substantive legal basis for a decision under Article 218(9) TFEU depends primarily on the objective and content of the envisaged act in respect of which a position is taken on the Union's behalf. If the envisaged act pursues two aims or has two components and if one of those aims or components is identifiable as the main one, whereas the other is merely incidental, the decision under Article 218(9) TFEU must be founded on a single substantive legal basis, namely that required by the main or predominant aim or component.
4.2.2.Application to the present case
The main objective and content of the envisaged act relate to the liberalisation and facilitation of trade in wine products.
Therefore, the substantive legal basis of the proposed decision is Article 207 TFEU.
4.3.Conclusion
The legal basis of the proposed decision should be Article 207 TFEU, in conjunction with Article 218(9) TFEU.
5. Publication of the envisaged act
As the requirements laid down in the act of the Working Group on Wine will have to be put into operation by customs authorities and importers to the EU, it is appropriate to publish it in the Official Journal of the European Union after its adoption.