
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2016/2148 of 7 December 2016 laying down rules for the management and distribution of textile quotas established for the year 2017 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 2017 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) 2015/2106, proved to be satisfactory and it is therefore appropriate to adopt similar rules for 2017.

(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) In order to guarantee a degree of continuity in trade and efficient quota administration, operators should be allowed to make their initial import authorisation application for 2017 equivalent to the quantity that they imported in 2016.

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

(8) In order 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 2018 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 2017.
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 2017, 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 2016.
In the case of such operators, the competent authorities may authorise imports not exceeding the quantities imported in 2016 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 2017, 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 2017 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 2018.
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 2017.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
ANNEX I
Maximum amounts referred to in Articles 2 and 3




Country concerned Category Unit Maximum amount
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 501210 BrusselTel. +32 22776713Fax +32 22775063
 
SPF Économie, PME, Classes moyennes et Énergie (FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed and Energy)Direction générale des Analyses économiques et de l'Economie internationaleService LicencesRue du Progrès 501210 BruxellesTél. +32 22776713Fax +32 22775063
 
2. Bulgaria 

Министерство на икономиката и енергетикатаДирекция ‘Регистриране, лицензиране и контрол’ул. ‘Славянска’ № 81052 СофияТел. +359 29407008 / +359 29407673 / +359 29407800Факс +359 29815041 / +359 29804710 /+359 29883654

Ministry of Economy and Energy8 Slavyanska Str., Sofia 1052Tel. +359 29407008 / +359 29407673 / +359 29407800Fax +359 29815041 / +359 29804710 /+359 29883654


3. Czech Republic 

Ministerstvo průmyslu a obchodu (Ministry of Industry and Trade)Licenční správaNa Františku 32110 15 Praha 1Tel. +420 224907111Fax +420 224212133
 
4. Denmark 

Erhvervs- og Vækstministeriet (Ministry of Business and Growth)ErhvervsstyrelsenLangelinie Allé 172100 KøbenhavnTel. +45 35291000Fax +45 35291001


5. Germany 

Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) [Federal Office of Economics and Export Control]Frankfurter Str. 29-3565760 EschbornTel. +49 6196908-0Fax +49 6196908800
 
6. Estonia 

Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications)Harju 1115072 TallinnTel. +372 6256400Fax +372 6313660


7. Ireland 

An Roinn Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta23 Sráid Chill DaraBaile Átha Cliath 2D02 TD30Tel. +353 16312545Fax +353 16312562

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and InnovationLicensing UnitKildare StreetIRL-Dublin 2Tel. +353 16312545Fax +353 16312562
 
8. Greece 

Υπουργείο Οικονομίας, Ανάπτυξης και ΤουρισμούΓενική Διεύθυνση Διεθνούς Οικονομικής και Εμπορικής ΠολιτικήςΔιεύθυνση Συντονισμού Εμπορίου και Εμπορικών ΚαθεστώτωνΤμήμα Β' Ειδικών Καθεστώτων ΕισαγωγώνΚορνάρου 1105 63 ΑθήναΤηλ. +30 2103286041-43, 2103286223Fax +30 2103286094

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.10563 AthensTel. +30 2103286041-43, 2103286223Fax +30 2103286094


9. Spain 

Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness)Dirección General de Comercio e InversionesPaseo de la Castellana no 16228046 MadridTel. +34 913493817 / 913493874Fax +34 913493831Email: sgpolcoue.sscc@comercio.mineco.es
 
10. France 

Ministère de l'économie, de l'industrie et du numériqueDirection générale des entreprises (DGE)Service de l'industrie (SI)Sous-direction de la chimie, des matériaux et des éco-industries (SDCME)Bureau des Matériaux67 rue Barbès — BP 8000194201 Ivry-sur-Seine CedexTel. +33 179843449Email: isabelle.paimblanc@finances.gouv.fr


11. Croatia 

Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslovaSamostalni sektor za trgovinsku politiku i gospodarsku multilateraluTrg N. Š. Zrinskog 7-8HR-10000 ZagrebTel: +385 16444626Fax: +385 16444601

Ministry of Foreign and European AffairsDirectorate for Trade Policy and Economic Multilateral AffairsTrg N. Š. Zrinskog 7-8HR-10000 ZagrebTel. +385 16444626Fax +385 16444601
 
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 2500144 RomaTel. +39 0659647517, 0659932450, 0659932436Fax +39 0659932681, 0659932636Email: dgpci.div3@mise.gov.it


13. Cyprus 

Κλάδος Έκδοσης Αδειών Εισαγωγής/ ΕξαγωγήςΥπηρεσία ΕμπορίουΥπουργείο Ενέργειας, Εμπορίου, Βιομηχανίας και ΤουρισμούΑνδρέα Αραούζου 61421 ΛευκωσίαΤηλ. +357 22867100Φαξ +357 22375443

Imports/ Exports Licensing SectionTrade ServiceMinistry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism6 Andrea Araouzou1421 NicosiaTel. +357 22867100Fax +357 22375443
 
14. Latvia 

Latvijas Republikas Ārlietu ministrija (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia)Kr.Valdemāra iela 3Rīga, LV-1395Tel. +371 67016201Fax +371 67828121


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 70664658, +370 70664808Faks +370 70664762Email: vienaslangelis@ukmin.lt
 
16. Luxembourg 

Ministère de l'Économie (Ministry of Economy)Office des licences19-21 boulevard RoyalL-2449 LuxembourgTél. +352 226162Fax +352 466138Email: office.licences@eco.etat.lu


17. Hungary 

Magyar Kereskedelmi Engedélyezési Hivatal(Hungarian Trade Licencing Office)BudapestNémetvölgyi út 37-39.1124Tel. +36 14585514Fax +36 14585832Email: keo@mkeh.gov.hu
 
18. Malta 

Ministeru għall-Ekonomija, Investiment u Intrapriżi ŻgharDipartiment tal-Kummerċ, Xatt LascarisVallettaVLT 1933Tel. +356 25690214Fax +356 21237112Email: commerce@gov.mt
 
Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small BusinessCommerce Department, Trade Services DirectorateLascarisVallettaVLT 1933Tel. +356 25690214Fax +356 21237112Email: commerce@gov.mt


19. Netherlands 

Belastingdienst/Douane (Customs Administration)centrale dienst voor in- en uitvoerPostbus 30706401 DN HeerlenTel. +31 88 1512122Fax +31 88 1513182
 
20. Austria 

Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Wirtschaft (Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy)Abteilung C2/9 — AußenwirtschaftskontrolleStubenring 11010 WienTel. +43 171100 - 8353Fax +43 171100 - 8366


21. Poland 

Ministerstwo Rozwoju (Ministry of Economic Development)pl. Trzech Krzyży 3/500-507 WarszawaTel. +48 226935553Fax +48 226934021
 
22. Portugal 

Ministério das Finanças (Ministry of Finance)AT- Autoridade Tributária e AduaneiraDSL – Direcção de Serviços de LicenciamentoRua da Alfândega no 5 R/C1149-006 LisboaTel. +351 1218813843Fax +351 1218813986Email: dsl@at.gov.pt


23. Romania 

Ministerul Economiei (Ministry of Economy)Comerțului și Mediului de AfaceriDirecția Politici ComercialeCalea Victoriei, nr.152, sector 1010096 BucureștiTel. +40 213150081Fax +40 213150454Email: clc@dce.gov.ro
 
24. Slovenia 

Ministrstvo za finance (Ministry of Finance)Finančna uprava Republike SlovenijeSpodnji Plavž 6cSI-4270 JeseniceTel. +386 42027583Faks +386 42024969Email: taric.fu@gov.si


25. Slovakia 

Ministerstvo hospodárstva SR (Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic)Odbor výkonu obchodných opatreníMierová 19827 15 BratislavaTel. +421 248547019Fax +421 243423915Email: jan.krocka@mhsr.sk
 
26. Finland 

Tulli (Finnish Customs)PL 512FI-00101 HelsinkiTel. +358 2955200Email: kirmo@tulli.fi
 
Tullen (Finnish Customs)PB 512FI-00101 HelsingforsTel. +358 2955200Email: kirmo@tulli.fi


27. Sweden 

Kommerskollegium (National Board of Trade)Box 6803SE-113 86 StockholmTel. +46 86904800Fax +46 8306759Email: registrator@kommers.se
 
28. United Kingdom 

Department for International Trade1 Victoria StreetLondon SW1H OETEmail: grant.mosedale@trade.gsi.gov.uk

