Imports of textile products from non-EU countries

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2015/936 — imports of textile products from certain non-EU countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific import rules

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It establishes rules on the import of various types of textiles from certain non-EU countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific EU import rules, namely North Korea.

It also introduces a surveillance system applicable to imports of textile products that originate in non-EU countries, other than North Korea.

It replaces Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94.

KEY POINTS

The legislation:

• confirms that textiles from all non-EU countries except the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea may be imported without any restriction on the amounts involved;
• sets ceilings on imports of different categories of textiles from North Korea — the levels are based on previous or estimated trade flows;
• was amended by Regulation (EU) 2017/354, which recognises the positive political developments in relations between the EU and the Republic of Belarus and aims to contribute to the further improvement of EU–Belarus relations — the EU may resort to introducing new quotas in the future if the human rights situation in Belarus seriously deteriorates.

EU countries must inform the European Commission within 30 days of the volume of textiles being imported the previous month from North Korea and provide annual data by 31 March each year.

The Commission:

• investigates, if it considers there is just cause, the volume of imports taking place;
• treats all information it receives confidentially;
• submits its report to the Textile Committee which helps it to implement the legislation;
• monitors imports if it considers their volume could harm EU producers;
• subjects imports to special conditions, such as requiring a surveillance document; and
• introduces safeguard measures if imports cause serious injury or pose an actual threat to European manufacturers.

The Commission may adopt delegated* and implementing acts*.

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2148:

• sets out the quantities of textiles which may be imported from North Korea in 2017;
• lists the competent authorities of each EU country that inform the Commission of the import requests they receive.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 15 July 2015. Regulation (EU) 2015/936 revised and replaced Regulation (EC) No 517/94 (and its subsequent amendments).

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• Textiles (European Commission)
• Textiles and clothing industries (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

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 (recast) (OJ L 160, 25.6.2015, pp. 1-54)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2015/936 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

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 (OJ L 333, 8.12.2016, pp. 32-41)

See consolidated version.

last update 22.11.2017