
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2015/2106 of 20 November 2015 laying down rules for the management and distribution of textile quotas established for the year 2016 under Regulation (EU) 2015/936 of the European Parliament and of the Council 

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2015/936 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2015 on common rules for imports of textile products from certain third countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific Union import rules, and in particular Article 17(3) and (6) and Article 21(2) thereof,
Whereas:

(1) Regulation (EU) 2015/936 established quantitative restrictions on imports of certain textile products originating in certain third countries to be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

(2) Under Regulation (EU) 2015/936 it is possible, in certain circumstances, to use other allocation methods, to divide quotas into tranches, or to reserve a proportion of a specific quantitative limit exclusively for applications which are supported by evidence of the results of past import performance.

(3) Rules for the management and distribution of textile quotas established for the year 2016 should be adopted before the quota year begins so that the continuity of trade flows is not unduly affected.

(4) The measures adopted in previous years, such as those in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1235/2014, proved to be satisfactory and it is therefore appropriate to adopt similar rules for 2016.

(5) In order to satisfy the greatest possible number of operators, it is appropriate to make the ‘first come, first served’ allocation method more flexible by placing a ceiling on the quantities that can be allocated to each operator by that method.

(6) To guarantee a degree of continuity in trade and efficient quota administration, operators should be allowed to make their initial import authorisation application for 2016 equivalent to the quantity that they imported in 2015.

(7) To achieve optimum use of the quantities, an operator who has used up at least one half of the amount already authorised should be permitted to apply for a further amount, provided that quantities are available in the quotas.

(8) To secure a sound administration, import authorisations should be valid for nine months from the date of issue until the end of the year at the latest. Member States should issue authorisations only after being notified by the Commission that quantities are available and only if operators can prove the existence of a contract and can certify, in the absence of a specific provision to the contrary, that they have not yet been granted a Union import authorisation under this Regulation for the categories and countries concerned. The competent national authorities should, however, be authorised, in response to an importer's application, to extend by three months and until 31 March 2017 the validity of an authorisation provided that at least half of the allocated quantity has been used by the application date.

(9) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Textile Committee established by Article 30 of Regulation (EU) 2015/936,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1 
This Regulation lays down rules on the management of quantitative quotas for imports of certain textile products set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2015/936 for the year 2016.
Article 2 
The quotas referred to in Article 1 shall be allocated according to the chronological order of receipt by the Commission of Member States' notifications of applications from individual operators, for amounts not exceeding the maximum quantities per operator set out in Annex I.
The maximum quantities shall not, however, apply to operators able to prove to the competent national authorities, when making their first application for 2016, that, in respect of given categories and given third countries, they imported more than the maximum quantities specified for each category pursuant to import authorisations granted to them for 2015.
In the case of such operators, the competent authorities may authorise imports not exceeding the quantities imported in 2015 from given third countries and in given categories, provided that enough quota capacity is available.
Article 3 
Importers who have already used 50 per cent or more of the amount allocated to them under this Regulation may make a further application, in respect of the same category and country of origin, for amounts not exceeding the maximum quantities laid down in Annex I.
Article 4 

1. The competent national authorities listed in Annex II may, from 10.00 a.m., Brussels time, on 11 January 2016, notify the Commission of the amounts covered by requests for import authorisations.
2. The competent national authorities shall issue import authorisations only after being notified by the Commission pursuant to Article 17(2) of Regulation (EU) 2015/936 that the requested quantities are available for importation.They shall issue authorisations only where an operator:
(a) proves the existence of a contract relating to the provision of the goods; and
(b) certifies in writing that, in respect of the categories and countries concerned:
((i)) the operator has not already been granted an authorisation under this Regulation; or
((ii)) the operator has been granted an authorisation under this Regulation but has used at least 50 per cent of the quantity allocated.
3. Import authorisations shall be valid for nine months from the date of issue until 31 December 2016 at the latest.The competent national authorities may, however, at the importer's request, grant a three-month extension to the validity of an authorisation, provided that at least 50 per cent of the allocated quantity has been used at the time of the request. Such extension shall in no circumstances expire later than 31 March 2017.
Article 5 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply as from 1 January 2016.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.Done at Brussels, 20 November 2015.
For the Commission
The President
Jean-Claude JUNCKER
ANNEX I
Maximum amounts referred to in Articles 2 and 3

Country concerned Category Unit Maximum amount
Republic of Belarus 1 Kilograms 20 000
2 Kilograms 80 000
3 Kilograms 5 000
4 Pieces 20 000
5 Pieces 15 000
6 Pieces 20 000
7 Pieces 20 000
8 Pieces 20 000
15 Pieces 17 000
20 Kilograms 5 000
21 Pieces 5 000
22 Kilograms 6 000
24 Pieces 5 000
26/27 Pieces 10 000
29 Pieces 5 000
67 Kilograms 3 000
73 Pieces 6 000
115 Kilograms 20 000
117 Kilograms 30 000
118 Kilograms 5 000
Democratic People's Republic of Korea 1 Kilograms 10 000
2 Kilograms 10 000
3 Kilograms 10 000
4 Pieces 10 000
5 Pieces 10 000
6 Pieces 10 000
7 Pieces 10 000
8 Pieces 10 000
9 Kilograms 10 000
12 Pairs 10 000
13 Pieces 10 000
14 Pieces 10 000
15 Pieces 10 000
16 Pieces 10 000
17 Pieces 10 000
18 Kilograms 10 000
19 Pieces 10 000
20 Kilograms 10 000
21 Pieces 10 000
24 Pieces 10 000
26 Pieces 10 000
27 Pieces 10 000
28 Pieces 10 000
29 Pieces 10 000
31 Pieces 10 000
36 Kilograms 10 000
37 Kilograms 10 000
39 Kilograms 10 000
59 Kilograms 10 000
61 Kilograms 10 000
68 Kilograms 10 000
69 Pieces 10 000
70 Pairs 10 000
73 Pieces 10 000
74 Pieces 10 000
75 Pieces 10 000
76 Kilograms 10 000
77 Kilograms 5 000
78 Kilograms 5 000
83 Kilograms 10 000
87 Kilograms 8 000
109 Kilograms 10 000
117 Kilograms 10 000
118 Kilograms 10 000
142 Kilograms 10 000
151A Kilograms 10 000
151B Kilograms 10 000
161 Kilograms 10 000
ANNEX II
List of competent national authorities referred to in Article 4


1. Belgium
FOD Economie, KMO, Middenstand en Energie (FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed and Energy)Algemene Directie Economische Analyses en Internationale EconomieDienst VergunningenVooruitgangstraat 50B-1210 BrusselTel: + 32 (0) 2 277 67 13Fax: + 32 (0) 2 277 50 63
 
SPF Economie, PME, Classes moyennes et Energie (FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed and Energy)Direction générale des Analyses économiques et de l'Economie internationaleService LicencesRue du Progrès 50B-1210 BruxellesTél: + 32 (0) 2 277 67 13Fax: + 32 (0) 2 277 50 63
 
2. Bulgaria
Министерство на икономиката и енергетикатаДирекция ‘Регистриране, лицензиране и контрол’ул. ‘Славянска’ № 81052 СофияТел.: +359 29 40 7008 / +359 29 40 7673 / +359 29 40 7800Факс: +359 29 81 5041 / +359 29 80 4710 / +359 29 88 3654
Ministry of Economy and Energy8, Slavyanska Str., Sofia 1052, BulgariaTel.: +359 29 40 7008 / +359 29 40 7673 / +359 29 40 7800Fax: +359 29 81 5041 / +359 29 80 4710 / +359 29 88 3654


3. Czech Republic
Ministerstvo průmyslu a obchodu (Ministry of Industry and Trade)Licenční správaNa Františku 32CZ – 110 15 Praha 1Tel: (420) 224 907 111Fax: (420) 224 212 133
 
4. Denmark
Erhvervs- og Vækstministeriet (Ministry of Business and Growth)ErhvervsstyrelsenLangelinie Allé 172100 KøbenhavnTel.: (45) 35 29 10 00Fax: (45) 35 29 10 01


5. Germany
Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) [Federal Office of Economics and Export Control]Frankfurter Str. 29-35D-65760 EschbornTel.: (49 61 96) 908-0Fax: (49 61 96) 908 800
 
6. Estonia
Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications)Harju 11EST-15072 TallinnTel.: (372) 6256 400Fax: (372) 6313 660


7. Ireland
An Roinn Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta23 Sráid Chill DaraBaile Átha Cliath 2D02 TD30Tel.: (353 1) 631 2545Fax: (353 1) 631 2562
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and InnovationLicensing UnitKildare StreetIRL-Dublin 2Tel.: (353 1) 631 2545Fax: (353 1) 631 2562
 
8. Greece
Υπουργείο Οικονομίας, Ανάπτυξης και ΤουρισμούΓενική Διεύθυνση Διεθνούς Οικονομικής και Εμπορικής ΠολιτικήςΔιεύθυνση Συντονισμού Εμπορίου και Εμπορικών ΚαθεστώτωνΤμήμα Β' Ειδικών Καθεστώτων ΕισαγωγώνΚορνάρου 1GR-105 63 ΑθήναΤηλ. (+30) 210 3286041-43, 210 3286223Fax: (+30) 210 3286094
Ministry of Economy, Development and TourismGeneral Directorate for International Economic and Trade Policy,Directorate fοr Trade Coordination and Trade RegimesUnit B' Special Import Regimes1 Kornarou Str.GR-10563 AthensTel: (+30) 210 3286041-43,210 3286223Fax: (+30) 210 3286094


9. Spain
Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness)Dirección General de Comercio e InversionesPaseo de la Castellana no 162E-28046 MadridTel.: (34 91) 349 38 17, 349 38 74Fax: (34 91) 349 38 31E-mail: sgindustrial.sscc@comercio.mineco.es
 
10. France
Ministère de l'Economie, de l'Industrie et du NumériqueDirection Générale des Entreprises (DGE)Service de l'Industrie (SI)Sous-direction de la Chimie, des Matériaux et des Eco-Industries (SDCME)Bureau des Matériaux67, Rue Barbès – BP 80001F-94201 Ivry sur Seine CedexTel: (+33) 1 79 84 34 49E-mail: isabelle.paimblanc@finances.gouv.fr


11. Croatia
Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslovaSamostalni sektor za trgovinsku politiku i gospodarsku multilateraluTrg N. Š. Zrinskog 7-810000 ZagrebTel: 00 385 1 6444626Fax: 00 385 1 6444601
Ministry of Foreign and European AffairsDirectorate for Trade Policy and Economic Multilateral AffairsTrg N. Š. Zrinskog 7-810000 ZagrebTel: 00 385 1 6444626Fax: 00 385 1 6444601
 
12. Italy
Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico (Ministry of Economic Development)Direzione Generale per la Politica Commerciale InternazionaleDivisione III — Accesso dei beni italiani nei mercati esteri e difesa commerciale delle impreseViale Boston, 25I - 00144 RomaTel.: (+39) 06 5964 7517, 06 5993 2450, 06 5993 2436Fax: (+39) 06 5993 2681, 06 5993 2636E-mail: dgpci.div3@mise.gov.it


13. Cyprus
Κλάδος Έκδοσης Αδειών Εισαγωγής/ ΕξαγωγήςΥπηρεσία ΕμπορίουΥπουργείο Ενέργειας, Εμπορίου, Βιομηχανίας και ΤουρισμούΑνδρέα Αραούζου 61421 ΛευκωσίαΤηλ.: +357 22 867 100Φαξ: +357 22 375 443
Imports/ Exports Licensing SectionTrade ServiceMinistry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism6, Andrea Araouzou1421 NicosiaTelephone: +357 22 867 100Telefax: +357 22 375 443
 
14. Latvia
Latvijas Republikas Ārlietu ministrija (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia)Kr.Valdemāra iela 3LV-1395 RīgaTel: 00 371 6701 6201Fax: 00 371 6782 8121


15. Lithuania
Lietuvos Respublikos ūkio ministerija (Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania)Gedimino pr. 38/Vasario 16-osios g. 2LT-01104 VilniusTel. +370 70664 658, +370 70664 808Faks. +370 70664 762E-mail: vienaslangelis@ukmin.lt
 
16. Luxembourg
Ministère de l'Economie (Ministry of Economy)Office des licences19-21, boulevard RoyalL-2449 LuxembourgTél.: +352 22 61 62Fax: +352 46 61 38office.licences@eco.etat.lu


17. Hungary
Magyar Kereskedelmi Engedélyezési Hivatal(Hungarian Trade Licencing Office)BudapestNémetvölgyi út 37-39.1124MAGYARORSZÁGTel. +36 1458 5514Fax +36 1458 5832E-mail: keo@mkeh.gov.hu
 
18. Malta
Ministeru għall-Ekonomija, Investiment u Intrapriżi ŻgharDipartiment tal-Kummerċ, Xatt LascarisValletta VLT1933Tel: 00 356 25690 214Fax: 00 356 21237 112E-mail: commerce@gov.mt
 
Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small BusinessCommerce Department, Trade Services DirectorateLascarisValletta VLT1933Tel: 00 356 25690 214Fax: 00 356 21237 112E-mail: commerce@gov.mt


19. Netherlands
Belastingdienst/Douane (Customs Administration)centrale dienst voor in- en uitvoerKempkensberg 12Postbus 30003NL-9700 RD GroningenTel.: (31 88) 15 12 122Fax: (31 88) 15 13 182
 
20. Austria
Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Wirtschaft (Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy)Abteilung C2/9 - AußenwirtschaftskontrolleStubenring 1A - 1010 WienTel: + 43 (1) 711 00 - 8353Fax: + 43 (1) 711 00 - 8366


21. Poland
Ministerstwo Gospodarki (Ministry of Economy)Pl.Trzech Krzyzy 3/5PL-00-507 WarszawaTel: 0048/22/693 55 53Fax: 0048/22/693 40 21
 
22. Portugal
Ministério das Finanças (Ministry of Finance)AT- Autoridade Tributária e AduaneiraDSL – Direcção de Serviços de LicenciamentoRua da Alfândega no 5 R/CP-1149-006 LisboaTel.: (351-1) 218 813 843Fax: (351-1) 218 813 986E-mail: dsl@at.gov.pt


23. Romania
Ministerul Economiei (Ministry of Economy)Comerţului şi Mediului de AfaceriDirecţia Politici ComercialeCalea Victoriei, nr.152, sector 1BucureştiCod poştal: 010096Tel: (40-21) 315.00.81Fax: (40-21) 315.04.54E-mail: clc@dce.gov.ro
 
24. Slovenia
Ministrstvo za finance (Ministry of Finance)Finančna uprava Republike SlovenijeSpodnji Plavž 6cSI-4270 JeseniceTel: +386(0)4 202 75 83Fax: +386(0)4 202 49 69E-mail: taric.fu@gov.si


25. Slovakia
Ministerstvo hospodárstva SR (Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic)Odbor výkonu obchodných opatreníMierová 19SK-827 15 BratislavaTel: 00 421 2 4854 7019Fax: 00 421 2 4342 3915E-mail: jan.krocka@mhsr.sk
 
26. Finland
Tulli (Finnish Customs)PL 512FI-00101 HelsinkiTel. +358 295 5200E-mail: kirmo@tulli.fi
 
Tullen (Finnish Customs)PB 512FI-00101 HelsingforsTel: +358 295 5200


27. Sweden
Kommerskollegium (National Board of Trade)Box 6803S-113 86 StockholmTel.: (46 8) 690 48 00Fax: (46 8) 30 67 59E-mail: registrator@kommers.se
 
28. United Kingdom
Import Licensing Branch (ILB)Department for Business Innovation and SkillsE-mail: enquiries.ilb@bis.gsi.gov.uk