Association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union ("Overseas Association Decision")

The Committee on Development adopted, following a special legislative procedure (consultation), the report by Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE) on the proposal for a Council decision amending Council Decision 2013/755/EU on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Union ('Overseas Association Decision').

The committee responsible recommended that the European Parliament approve the Commission proposal without amendment.

The Overseas Association Decision (OAD) establishes the legal framework for the relations between Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), the Member States to which they are linked, and the European Union.

The aim of the proposal is to amend Annex VI of the OAD which defines the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation between the EU and the OCTs. It contains provisions aiming to implement a system of origin certification as of 1 January 2017, the Registered Exporters (REX) system, but for which OCTs benefit from a waiver until 31 December 2019.

The provisions in Annex VI to the OAD on the ‘procedures for the registered exporter system’ differ from those in the GSP rules of origin. Therefore, Annex VI of the OAD should be amended in order to ensure compatibility with the provisions on the REX system laid down in Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 and to ensure its deployment and implementation by the OCTs as from 1 January 2020.