Generalised scheme of tariff preferences

The European Parliament adopted by 459 votes to 127, with 70 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on applying a generalised scheme of tariff preferences and repealing Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

The proposed regulation aims to renew the GSP. While maintaining the current architecture consisting of three regimes - standard GSP, GSP+ and the everything but arms (EBA) regime – as well as the essential features of the current regulation – namely the eradication of poverty and support for sustainable development and good governance – the proposed new regulation aims to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the GSP to meet future challenges.

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading by amending the Commission's proposal as follows:

GSP+

From the date of the granting of the tariff preferences provided under the GSP+, in regular monitoring cycles of three years, the Commission will discuss with each of the GSP+ beneficiary countries, keep under review and monitor the status of ratification of the relevant conventions and their effective implementation, as well as the cooperation of the GSP+ beneficiary country with the relevant monitoring bodies, and the progress made by each GSP+ beneficiary country in implementing its plan of action.

General provisions on engagement

The Commission, and where relevant the EEAS, will engage with standard GSP beneficiary countries and EBA beneficiary countries in the context of existing bilateral dialogues, to review and encourage progress towards the ratification of the relevant conventions in the areas of human rights, workers' rights, climate and environmental protection, and good governance. The Commission, acting upon a complaint or on its own initiative, may enter into an enhanced engagement with a standard GSP beneficiary country or an EBA beneficiary country in situations in which this would be beneficial for addressing shortcomings particularly with regard to compliance with the principles of these conventions.

The existing bilateral dialogues and enhanced engagements with beneficiary countries may address cooperation in the readmission of that country’s own nationals, when those persons are irregular migrants to the Union. In the case of serious and systematic shortcomings related to the international obligation to readmit a beneficiary country’s own nationals, the preferential arrangements may be withdrawn temporarily where the Commission considers that an insufficient level of cooperation on readmission persists following an enhanced engagement of at least 12 months.

Before any suspension, the Commission must verify that the measure is proportionate, take into account the situation in the country and inform the European Parliament and the Council.

The report on the implementation of the regulation must include an assessment of the necessity and functioning of the link between the GSP and cooperation on the readmission of nationals of beneficiary countries. The rules will apply to EBA beneficiary countries from 1 January 2029.

Special safeguards related to certain products

Where imports of products falling under Combined Nomenclature codes 1006 10, 1006 20 and 1006 30 originating in a beneficiary country exceed, cumulatively and at any time during a calendar year, by at least 45% the annual import volumes fixed for each beneficiary country, the Commission will: (i) suspend, with immediate effect, tariff preferences for imports of these products originating in the beneficiary country concerned for the remainder of the calendar year; and (ii) establish, for the duration of the following calendar year, a tariff quota for imports of these products originating in the beneficiary country concerned.

Surveillance in the agriculture and fishing sectors

The amended text provides for a special surveillance mechanism for certain agricultural and fisheries products imported into the European Union. This surveillance may be requested by a Member State or decided by the Commission.

If a market disturbance is confirmed, the Commission may apply the Common Customs Tariff (CCT) to monitored products (removing tariff preferences) through an implementing act. When assessing disturbance to Union markets, the Commission will take into consideration all relevant market developments, including the impact of the total imports concerned on the situation of the Union market. That assessment shall include factors such as the impact of imports concerned on the Union price level, the impact of imports from other sources, an upsurge of imports from a beneficiary country, as well as the impact of imports on the overall stability of the Union market for the relevant product. The assessment should take no longer than six months with the possibility of extension up to one year. If measures are taken, the customs duties will be reinstated for twelve months, with the possibility of further extension if necessary.

Parliamentary information and report

The Commission must provide the European Parliament and the Council with the following information in a timely manner:

- information on important procedural steps, such as accession to GSP+, impacts on least-developed countries graduating from EBA, the initiation of a temporary withdrawal procedure, a safeguards investigation or a change in the Combined Nomenclature codes;

- information on enhanced dialogue activities;

- when it decides to temporarily withdraw the benefit of preferential schemes of a beneficiary country in the event of serious and systematic deficiencies related to the international obligation to re-admit nationals of a beneficiary country.

By 1 January 2033 at the latest, the Commission should report on the application of the regulation. This report may, in particular, examine the list of relevant conventions in relation to updates from United Nations monitoring bodies, including those concerning fundamental principles and rights at work, as well as country-specific graduation and transition mechanisms, especially with regard to least developed countries. This report may, where appropriate, be accompanied by a legislative proposal.

This regulation is applicable from 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2036.