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

The European Parliament adopted by 661 votes to 1, with 25 abstentions, under the consultation procedure, a legislative resolution 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').

Parliament approved the Commission proposal without amendments.

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 proposed amendment aims to ensure the compatibility of Annex VI of the CAD with the provisions on the REX system set out in Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 and to ensure that the OCTs implement and apply it from 1 January 2020.