52004XC0109(03)

Notice concerning the Commission Green Paper on the future of rules of origin in preferential trade agreements

(2004/C 5/04)

On 18 December 2003 the Commission adopted a Green Paper on the future of rules of origin in preferential trade agreements.

With this discussion and consultation paper, the Commission is seeking to provide the fullest possible overview of the economic, legal and financial context of the preferential trade agreements which the preferential origin rules will be called upon to serve in the coming years.

Starting from an assessment of the present situation and the expected outcome of current trends, the Green Paper seeks briefly to pinpoint the various courses of action and options available to ensure that the rules of origin play their role to the full and contribute to the smooth operation of arrangements which are increasingly geared to greater market access and sustainable development.

The Green Paper is aimed at international traders and the competent authorities of the Member States, candidate countries and the Union's partner countries in preferential arrangements, as participants in these arrangements.

The Commission thereby hopes to prompt corresponding analyses from other interested parties and imaginative responses to the options presented - or even alternative proposals by 1 March 2004 at the latest.

The Green Paper and related documents and information can be consulted on the website of the Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/ taxation_customs/customs/ consultations_en.htm