Regulation 2008/732 - Application of a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 211/1

Since 1971, the Community has granted trade preferences to developing countries, in the framework of its scheme of generalised tariff preferences.

The Community’s common commercial policy is to be consistent with and to consolidate the objectives of development policy, in particular the eradication of poverty and the promotion of sustainable development and good governance in the developing countries. It is to comply with WTO requirements, and in particular with the GATT ‘enabling clause’ of 1979 according to which WTO Members may accord differential and more favourable treatment to developing countries.

The Communication of 7 July 2004 from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee, entitled ‘Developing countries, international trade and sustainable development: the function of the Community’s generalised system of preferences (GSP) for the 10-year period from 2006 to 2015’, sets out the guidelines for the application of the scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period 2006 to 2015.

Council Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 (2) applies the scheme of generalised tariff preferences until 31 December 2008. Thereafter, the scheme should continue to apply until 31 December 2011, in accordance with the guidelines.

The scheme of generalised tariff preferences (hereinafter referred to as the scheme) should consist of a general arrangement, granted to all beneficiary countries and territories, and two special arrangements taking account of the various development needs of countries in similar economic situations.

The general arrangement should be granted to all those beneficiary countries which are not classified by the World Bank as high-income countries and which are not sufficiently diversified in their exports.

The special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance is based on the integral concept of sustainable development, as recognised by international conventions and instruments such as the 1986 UN Declaration on the Right to Development, the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the 2000 UN Millennium Declaration, and the 2002 Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development.

Consequently, additional tariff preferences should be granted to those developing countries which, due to a lack of diversification and insufficient integration into the international trading system, are vulnerable while assuming the special burdens and responsibilities resulting from the ratification and effective implementation of core international conventions on human and labour rights, environmental protection and good governance.

These preferences should be designed to promote further economic growth and, thereby, to respond positively to the need for sustainable development. Under this arrangement, the ad valorem tariffs should therefore be suspended for the beneficiary countries concerned, as well as the specific duties, unless combined with an ad valorem...