Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION establishing, pursuant to Article 1 (7) of Regulation (EEC) 3030/93, the list of textiles and clothing products to be integrated into GATT 1994 on 1 January 2002 and amending Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 3285/94

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Background: the legal requirement

As part of the results of the Uruguay Round, the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) provides for a progressive integration into normal GATT rules of textiles and clothing products from the special regime derived from the Multi-Fibre Agreement (MFA) as established in under the ATC.

The ATC provides for a process of integration by four stages: 1.1.1995 (Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94) [1], 1.1.1998 (Council Regulation (EC) No 2315/96) [2], 1.1.2002 and 31.12.2004. In each stage, WTO Members have to integrate a minimum percentage of the volume (tons) of their 1990 imports into GATT 1994: 16 % in the 1st stage, 17 % in the 2nd stage, 18 % in the 3rd stage, and the rest on 31.12.2005. "Integration" of a product under the normal GATT rules means essentially the elimination of any quotas imposed on the imports of the products concerned and foregoing the possibility of applying the special safeguard provision of the ATC. The ATC also contains provisions for the opening of markets of all WTO Members including by those WTO countries which do not apply quantitative restrictions.

[1] OJ No L 349 of 31.12.1994, p.57

[2] OJ No L 314 of 4.12.1996, p. 1

Pursuant to Article 2 paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of the ATC, the list of products to be integrated in the third stage has to be notified to the Textiles Monitoring Body (TMB) by 31.12.2000.

Annex X of Regulation (EEC) 3030/93 on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries lists the products not yet integrated into GATT. According to Article 1 paragraph 7 of Regulation 3030/93 the Council, upon proposal by the Commission, shall amend this annex in order to integrate the remaining products according to the stages defined by the ATC.

Annex 1 to the present Proposal contains the list of textiles and clothing products proposed for integration in stage 3.

The EU regime for imports of textiles and clothing products

The EU is the world's largest importer of textiles and clothing products together with the US. In 1999, the value of imports amounted to over EUR 59.3 billion. Despite the existence of quotas on the imports from a total of 21 countries, of which 14 are WTO members, overall the EU market for textiles and clothing products can be regarded as rather open. This explains why EU textiles and clothing imports grew between 1995 and 1999 by 31 %, and account for around 50 % of total consumption in the EU:

* EU tariffs are low: 0.7 % for raw materials, 5.3 % for yarns and fibres, 6.3 % for fabrics and 11.9 % for clothing, an average of 9 %.

* The EU has no quotas on textiles and clothing imports from the least developed countries. In addition, these countries usually benefit from zero duties arising either from preferences under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) or under the Lomé Convention. This includes large garment suppliers such as Bangladesh. In 1999 roughly 44 % of the EU's imports in textiles and clothing products were duty free. For 46% of the imports a GSP reduction of 15 % of the MFN tariff rate was applied.

* In 1999 the value of imports under quota [3] from WTO Members represented a bit less than a quarter of total imports of textiles and clothing by the EU. Many of the quotas have low levels of utilisation: only a tenth of EU quotas applied to imports from WTO countries are currently highly utilised (95 % or more), and less than one in twenty of such quotas will grow between 1994 and 2002 by less than 50 %.

[3] WTO Members under quota are: Argentina, Brazil, Hong Kong, Macao, South Korea, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru and Philippines.

* The quotas are not fixed, but are subject to annual increases. The ATC provides for the progressive relaxation of the existing quotas on textiles and clothing trade with WTO Members during the 10-year transitional period. Small suppliers of textiles and clothing - Sri Lanka and Peru - benefit from greater growth rates. The enhanced growth provisions of the Agreement have lead to a significant growth of quotas. Between 1995, the first year of the ATC and 2002, the first year of stage 3, quotas will have generally been increased by about between 60 and 90 %. The more sensitive quotas will have grown by between 25 % and 35 %, while in certain cases growth rates of up to 160 % will have been implemented as a result of the ATC.

* For some of the countries the number of product categories subject to import quotas is very low: for instance, two categories for Peru, and three for Argentina.

The integration under the 3rd phase of the ATC will result in significant additional liberalisation.

Third country market access aspects

Before drawing up its proposal for products to be integrated, the Commission took into consideration the degree of market access that third countries, likely to benefit from EU liberalisation, have granted for EU exports. A report required by Article 1 paragraph 7 of Regulation 3030/93 on the respect of the market access commitments of third countries under the GATT rules and disciplines referred to in Article 7 of the ATC, is being provided separately.

The analysis and different studies carried out by the Commission shows that there has not been a substantive market opening by the EU's trade partners and the existence still of significant tariff and non-tariff trade barriers.

In addition to a large amount of non-tariff barriers, the average tariffs for textiles and clothing applied in WTO of 9 % compare with average applied tariffs of between 20 % and 25 % by countries such as Argentina, Brazil or Thailand and of 38 % for India and 39 % for Pakistan; this difference is greater for clothing, as applied tariffs are higher with averages rarely lower than 20 % and reaching 40 % for Thailand and India and 45 % in Pakistan. Average tariffs for the sector bound in WTO are considerably higher: while the end-rates bound by the EU for 2005 average 7,9 %, in other countries these range between 25 % and 30 % in Chile, the Philippines and Thailand, over 35 % in Colombia or Indonesia, and for countries such as India and Pakistan tariffs have been bound at levels either exceeding 35 % or not bound at all for a number of products. Some countries apply additional import duties and/or specific duties. The amount and intensity of such barriers may be a relevant factor explaining the modest exports of textiles and clothing products from the EU to ATC countries, which in fact went down from EUR 3.16 bn in 1995 to EUR 2.78 bn in 1999.

There are significant potential gains of improved market access in third countries. A substantial degree of adjustment and investment has been taking place in the EU's textiles and clothing industry over the last few years. Many segments of EU textiles and clothing industry are very competitive, as proves the fact that the EU is the second world largest textiles and clothing exporter (its exports in 1999 amounted to EUR 34.8 billion), that it is the world's largest textiles exporter, and that it has consistently had a surplus in textiles trade.

An analysis of export performance related to the level of tariffs applied by third countries shows that the levels of EC exports to countries whose tariffs are lower or close to those applied by the EU (US, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong) are considerably higher than those for countries applying significantly higher tariffs (China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand). Although the relatively poor performance by EU industry in the latter countries can at least partially be explained by the considerably lower purchasing power of those countries, high tariffs and important non-tariff barriers act also as an important deterrent against exports.

The Commission considers that the list to be submitted for stage 3 should meet the Community's obligations under the ATC in a way that may best encourage other countries to make progress in market opening. Thus, the current proposal, whilst implying considerable steps to further open the EU market, would not give away unnecessarily negotiating leverage that could be used to open third countries' markets. Instead, it leaves open the possibility of achieving further, more far-reaching liberalisation of textile products under quota through bilateral discussions with a selected number of trade partners. These partners should be prepared to improve market access for EU exports in exchange for improvements in the quota regime (increases or elimination of quotas). A proposal for negotiating directives by the Commission to the Council to this effect was adopted on 9 June 2000.

Consultation with interested parties

For the preparation of the decision on selecting products for liberalisation, it was decided to engage in a process of consultation with the concerned public, notably the industry, importers, consumers and third countries. A notice inviting comments from the public was published in the Official Journal C/88/10 of 25.3.2000, and on 14.4.2000 Mr. Lamy chaired a Round Table meeting with representatives of industry, and he has also met representatives of trade associations. Replies to the Commission call for comments were received from EU textiles and clothing industry, importers and traders' associations, and one third country.

Elements for consideration in the preparation of the proposal

The proposal draws a careful balance between a large number of different considerations and interests. Basically, the proposal intends to combine, within the full respect of the WTO obligations:

(a) the progressivity of the phasing out of quotas during the 10 years of transition from the quota-based MFA towards the full elimination of quotas in 2005, agreed in the Uruguay Round as an appropriate period to allow for the necessary improvement in the EU industry's competitiveness;

(b) the expectations from developing countries as to the pace of dismantling of the MFA in combination with progress on their side in offering better market access in textiles and clothing products in accordance with the provisions of the ATC;

(c) the impact of the proposal on the EU's strategy for achieving improved market access in third countries, especially with a view to keep the possibility of using existing quotas as a bargaining chip to obtain better market access in third countries;

(d) a correct burden sharing of the impact of liberalisation between the different segments of industry (in order for instance to avoid that the most export-oriented segments of industry are disadvantaged by the degree of protection in the upstream part of production), and between Member States and regions;

(e) the interest for consumers and traders in the liberalisation of certain items as compared with others, taking into account the costs of protection for them, and the overall benefits of import liberalisation for the economy as a whole;

(f) the positive contribution that liberalisation of EU imports of textiles and clothing may provide for the economic development of developing countries as a sector of export interest to them.

The 3rd stage of integration under the ATC is an important step in trade liberalisation terms. Since an inclusion of the remaining non-quota products provides merely 3.55 % of EU imports, in order to reach the 18 % (in 1990 volume) required by the ATC, a very significant amount of products under quota will therefore have to be added to the list, thus resulting in any event in substantial liberalisation: the proposed list will result in the elimination of 37 quotas vis-à-vis WTO member countries (56 quotas if China is included), i.e. a fifth of the total 183 quotas applied vis-à-vis current WTO Members. This adds to 12 quotas that the EU eliminated in the 2nd stage of integration. The value of total EU imports of products of those product categories in 1999 was 12,9 billion EUR, or 21,8 % of total textiles and clothing imports (exactly 18,1 % of total volume of imports in 1990).

The main elements considered in the preparation of the proposal are detailed below.

Impact on the European textiles and clothing industry

The proposal attempts to limit the potential negative impact on EU industry of integration, in order to provide it with the necessary time to continue its restructuring efforts within the year 2005 horizon, and to distribute as evenly as possible such an impact. In particular, it takes into consideration social aspects and intends to reduce to the minimum any possible adverse effect on employment which would otherwise risk being concentrated in certain regions within the EU, of which some already have a comparatively low income. Relevant criteria are:

* sensitivity of products for EU textiles and clothing industry and likely effect of liberalisation, trying to avoid the most sensitive products;

* product characteristics in terms of prices, added value, quality range, fashion content, importance of innovation and R&D, degree of capital/labour intensity;

* degree of foreign market penetration (i.e. imports as percent of apparent consumption);

* likely regional impact within the EU and on economic cohesion among Member States and regions, taking into account the large number of SMEs operating in the sector;

* actual protection derived from quota (number of quotas, both against ATC and non-ATC members, utilisation rate, targeting of suppliers,...): quotas with low utilisation rates have been considered more positively for elimination;

* impact of liberalisation of a given product on the whole production chain, from fibre to finished product, taking account of the interdependency between upstream and downstream operators;

* impact of liberalisation of a given product on substitutable textile and clothing products (e.g. according to the raw material used, for instance wool, cotton synthetic fibres, etc.);

* differential impact among industry segments (fair distribution of burden), taking into consideration the respective contributions made during previous stages of integration;

* interests of operators with investments in third countries, in particular in Eastern and Central Europe, Turkey, and in the Mediterranean area, such as in the form of outward processing transactions.

Interests of importers

* interests of the different kinds of importers: traders, retail and wholesale distributors, and industry with trading interests

* interests of economic players which have operations in third countries

Consumer concerns

* benefits of consumers in terms of affordable quality and differentiated imports, especially for clothing products

International trade considerations

* impact on Customs Union partner Turkey;

* impact on EU candidate countries, and on countries situated in the Mediterranean area; due to the absence of quotas being applied by candidate countries, such a proposal should have a minimum impact in terms of potential increases of exports from other countries into them when they join the EU

* expectations from WTO partners, to whom the EC applies quotas, that integration should lead to substantial liberalisation of products under quota, in conjunction with progress by these countries in opening their markets in turn;

* impact on market access strategy for EC textiles and clothing exports: in particular, it has been considered appropriate to retain control over quotas that could be used as negotiating capital for negotiations with the countries concerned in exchange for better access to their textiles and clothing markets;

* integration programmes of other importing countries (so far as available to date), such as United States (which decided to postpone till 2005 the liberalisation of the more sensitive product categories), Canada or Norway.

Conclusion

The Commission considers that the list in Annex I represents an economically sound and equitable integration programme that mutually takes into account the different interests listed above.

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION establishing, pursuant to Article 1 (7) of Regulation (EEC) 3030/93, the list of textiles and clothing products to be integrated into GATT 1994 on 1 January 2002 and amending Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 3285/94

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and, in particular, Article 133 thereof,

Having regard to Article 1 (7) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 [4] of 12 October 1993 on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries,

[4] OJ No L 275, 8. 11. 1993, p. 1. as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1072/99 (OJ No L 134, 28. 5. 1999, p. 1

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The European Community has concluded the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation (hereinafter referred to as the WTO) [5], to which is attached the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (hereinafter referred to as the ATC).

[5] OJ No L 336, 23. 12. 1994, p. 3

(2) Under Article 2 (8) (a) and (11) of the ATC, the Community is obliged, on the one hand, to integrate on 1 January 2002 products which in 1990 accounted for not less than 18 % of the total volume of 1990 imports into the Community of all textiles and clothing products covered by the ATC into the normal GATT rules and disciplines and, on the other hand, to notify the list of such products to the Textiles Monitoring Body of the WTO before 1 January 2001.

(3) In selecting the products to be integrated, the Council has been guided by a number of factors, including the sensitivity of the product for the Community industry and its regional components particularly in terms of economic competitiveness and the employment situation, the effectiveness of any quantitative restrictions on the product, the ability of Community industry to continue its process of adaptation to increased competition in products which currently are subject to a quantitative restriction with one or more supplier country, the desire to encourage industrial adjustment at an acceptable pace throughout the ten year transition period, the impact on consumers, the impact on third countries and the opportunity to simplify the Community import regime for textile and clothing products.

(4) Account has been taken in this respect of the submissions received from interested parties who responded to the Commission's invitation for such submissions published in the Official Journal of the European Communities [6].

[6] OJ No C 88, 25. 3. 2000, p. 18

(5) The list of products contained in Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 has to be amended to exclude the products to be integrated on 1 January 2002.

(6) The list of textiles and clothing products which are governed by the normal GATT rules and disciplines, contained in Annex II to Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 of 22 December 1994 on the common rules for imports and repealing Regulation (EC) No 518/94 [7] has to be amended to include, as from 1 January 2002, the products to be integrated under the normal rules of GATT.

[7] OJ No L 349, 31. 12. 1994, p. 53 as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2315/96 (OJ No L 314, 4. 12. 1996, p. 1)

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. The products to be integrated under the normal rules of GATT, as from 1 January 2002, are listed in Annex I to this Regulation.

2. Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 is hereby replaced by the Annex in Annex II to this Regulation, as from 1 January 2002.

3. Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 is hereby replaced by the Annex in Annex III to this Regulation, as from 1 January 2002.

Article2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX I

List of textile and clothing products to be integrated into the normal GATT 1994 rules (third stage)

Category // Description

10 // Gloves, mittens and mitts, knitted or crocheted

18 // Men's or boys' singlets and other vests, underpants, briefs, night-shirts, pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, other than knitted or crocheted

// Women's or girls' singlets and other vests, slips, petticoats, briefs, panties, night-dresses, pyjamas, négliges, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, other than knitted or crocheted

21 // Parkas; anoraks, windcheaters, waister jackets and the like, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres; upper parts of tracksuits with lining, other than category 16 or 29, of cotton or of man-made fibres

24 // Men's or boys' night-shirts, pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, knitted or crocheted

// Women's or girls' night-dresses, pyjamas, négliges, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, knitted or crocheted

27 // Women's or girls' skirts, including divided skirts

32 // Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics (other than terry towelling or terry fabrics of cotton and narrow woven fabrics) and tufted textile surfaces, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres

33 // Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn obtained from strip or the like of polyethylene or polypropylene, less than 3 m wide

// Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, not knitted or crocheted, obtained from strip or the like

34 // Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn obtained from strip or the like of polyethylene or polypropylene, 3 m or more wide

36 // Woven fabrics of continuous artificial fibres , other than those for tyres of category 114

37 // Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres

38 A // Knitted or crocheted synthetic curtain fabric including net curtain fabric

40 // Woven curtains ( including drapes, interior blinds, curtain and bed valances and other furnishing articles), other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

42 // Yarn of continuous man-made fibres, not put up for retail sale

// Yarn of artificial fibres; yarn of artificial filaments, not put up for retail sale, other than single yarn of viscose rayon untwisted or with a twist of not more than 250 turns/m and single non textured yarn of cellulose acetate

43 // Yarn of man-made filament, yarn of artificial staple fibres, cotton yarn, put up for retail sale

47 // Yarn of carded sheep's or lambs' wool (woollen yarn) or of carded fine animal hair, not put up for retail sale

48 // Yarn of combed sheep's or lambs' wool (worsted yarn) or of combed fine animal hair, not put up for retail sale

49 // Yarn of sheep's or lambs' wool or of combed fine animal hair, put up for retail sale

53 // Cotton gauze

54 // Artificial staple fibres, including waste, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning

55 // Synthetic staple fibres, including waste, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning

56 // Yarn of synthetic staple fibres (including waste), put up for retail sale

59 // Carpets and other textile floor coverings, other than the carpets of category 58

60 // Tapestries, hand-made, of the type Gobelins, Flanders, Aubusson, Beauvais and the like, and needlework tapestries (e.g. petit point and cross stitch) made in panels and the like by hand

62 // Chenille yarn (incl. flock chenille yarn), gimped yarn (other than metallized yarn and gimped horsehair yarn)

// Tulle and other net fabrics but not including woven, knitted or crocheted fabrics, hand or mechanically-made lace, in the piece, in strips or in motifs

// Labels, badges and the like of textile materials, not embroidered, in the piece, in strips or cut to shape or size, woven

// Braids and ornamental trimmings in the piece; tassels, pompons and the like

// Embroidery, in the piece, in strips or in motifs

63 // Knitted or crocheted fabric of synthetic fibres containing by weight 5% or more elastomeric yarn and knitted or crocheted fabrics containing by weight 5% or more of rubber thread

// Raschel lace and long-pile fabric of synthetic fibres

66 // Travelling rugs and blankets, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

68 // Babies' garments and clothing accessories, excluding babies' gloves, mittens and mitts of categories 10 and 87, and babies' stockings, socks and sockettes, other than knitted or crocheted, of category 88

73 // Track suits of knitted or crocheted fabric, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres

93 // Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods of woven fabrics, other than made from polyethylene or polypropylene strip

95 // Felt and articles thereof, whether or not impregnated or coated, other than floor coverings

98 // Other articles made from yarn, twine, cordage, cables or rope , other than textile fabrics, articles made from such fabrics and articles of category 97

101 // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, plaited or not, other than of synthetic fibres

109 // Tarpaulins, sails, awnings and sunblinds

112 // Other made up textile articles, woven, excluding those of categories 113 and 114

113 // Floor cloth, dish cloth and dusters, other than knitted or crocheted

114 // Woven fabrics and articles for technical uses

120 // Curtains ( incl. drapes), interior blinds, curtain and bed valances and other furnishing articles, not knitted or crocheted, of flax or ramie

123 // Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics of flax or ramie, other than narrow woven fabrics

// Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like, of flax or ramie, other than knitted or crocheted

125 A // Synthetic filament yarn (continuous) not put up for retail sale, other than yarn of category 41

127 A // Yarn of artificial filaments (continuous) not put up for retail sale, other than yarn of category 42

129 // Yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair

131 // Yarn of other vegetable textile fibres

133 // Yarn of true hemp

135 // Woven fabrics of coarse animal hair or of horse hair

137 // Woven pile fabric and chenille fabrics and narrow woven fabrics of silk, or of silk waste

138 // Woven fabrics of paper yarn and other textile fibres other than of ramie

139 // Woven fabrics of metal threads or of metallized yarn

140 // Knitted or crocheted fabric of textile material other than wool or fine animal hair, cotton or man made fibres

141 // Travelling rugs and blankets of textile material other than wool or fine animal hair, cotton or man made fibres

142 // Carpets and other textile floor coverings of sisal, of other fibres of the agave family or the Manila hemp

144 // Felt of coarse animal hair

145 // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables plaited or not abaca (Manila hemp) or of true hemp

146 A // Binder or baler twine for agricultural machines, of sisal or other fibres of the agave family

146 B // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables of sisal or other fibres of the agave family, other than the products of category 146 A

151 A // Floor coverings of coconut fibres (coir)

152 // Needle loom felt of jute or of other textile bast fibres not impregnated or coated, other than floor coverings

160 // Handkerchiefs of silk or silk waste

161 // Garments, not knitted or crocheted, other than those of categories 1 to 123 and category 159

640520 // Other footwear with uppers of textile materials

660110 // Garden or similar umbrellas

870821 // Safety seat belts

940490 // Other than mattress supports, mattresses or sleeping bags

ANNEX II

"ANNEX X

List of textile and clothing products not yet integrated into normal GATT 1994 rules

Category // Description

GROUP I A

1 // Cotton yarn, not put up for retail sale

2 // Woven fabrics of cotton, other than gauze, terry fabrics, pile fabrics, chenille fabrics, tulle and other net fabrics

2 a) // Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

3 // Woven fabrics of synthetic fibres (discontinuous or waste) other than narrow woven fabrics, pile fabrics ( incl. terry fabrics) and chenille fabrics

3 a) // Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

GROUP I B

4 // Shirts, T-shirts, lightweight fine knit roll, polo or turtle necked jumpers and pullovers (other than of wool or fine animal hair), undervests and the like, knitted or crocheted

5 // Jerseys, pullovers, slip-overs, waistcoats, twinsets, cardigans, bed-jackets and jumpers (others than jackets and blazers), anoraks, wind-cheaters, waister jackets and the like, knitted or crocheted

6 // Men's or boys' woven breeches, shorts other than swimwear and trousers (incl. slacks); women's or girls' woven trousers and slacks, of wool, of cotton or of man made fibres; lower parts of track suits with lining, others than category 16 or 29, of cotton or of man-made fibres

7 // Women's or girls' blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses, whether or not knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or man-made fibres

8 // Men's or boys' shirts, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, cotton or man-made fibres

GROUP II A

9 // Terry towelling and similar woven terry fabrics of cotton; toilet linen and kitchen linen, other than knitted or crocheted, of terry towelling and woven terry fabrics, of cotton

20 // Bed linen, other than knitted or crocheted

22 // Yarn of staple or waste synthetic fibres, not put up for retail sale

22 a) // Of which acrylic

23 // Yarn of staple or waste artificial fibres, not put up for retail sale

32 a) // Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics (other than terry towelling or terry fabrics of cotton and narrow woven fabrics) and tufted textile surfaces, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres Of which: Cotton corduroy

39 // Table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen, other than knitted or crocheted, other than of terry towelling or a similar terry fabrics of cotton

GROUP II B

12 // Panty-hose and tights, stockings, understockings, socks, ankle-socks, sockettes and the like, knitted or crocheted, other than for babies, including stockings for varicose veins, other than products of category 70

13 // Men's or boys' underpants and briefs, women's or girls' knickers and briefs, knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

14 // Men's or boys' woven overcoats, raincoats and other coats, cloaks and capes, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres (other than parkas) (of category 21)

15 // Women's or girls' woven overcoats, raincoats and other coats, cloaks and capes; jackets and blazers, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres (other than parkas) (of category 21)

16 // Men's or boys' suits and ensembles, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres, excluding ski suits; men's or boys' track suits with lining, with an outer shell of a single identical fabric, of cotton or of man-made fibres

17 // Men's or boys' jackets or blazers, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

26 // Women's or girls' dresses, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

28 // Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

29 // Women's or girls' suits and ensembles, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres, excluding ski suits; women's or girls' track suits with lining, with an outer shell of an identical fabric, of cotton or of man-made fibres

31 // Brassières, woven, knitted or crocheted

78 // Garments, other than knitted or crocheted, excluding garments of categories 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 26, 27, 29, 68, 72, 76 and 77

83 // Overcoats, jackets, blazers and other garments, including ski suits, knitted or crocheted, excluding garments of categories 4, 5, 7, 13, 24, 26, 27, 28, 68, 69, 72, 73, 74, 75

GROUP III A

35 // Woven fabrics of synthetic fibres (continuous), other than those for tyres of category 114

35 a) // Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

36 a) // Woven fabrics of continuous artificial fibres , other than those for tyres of category 114

Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

37 a) // Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres

Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

38 B // Net curtains, other than knitted or crocheted

50 // Woven fabrics of sheep's or lambs' wool or of fine animal hair

51 // Cotton, carded or combed

GROUP III B

90 // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables of synthetic fibres, plaited or not

97 // Nets and netting made of twine, cordage or rope and made up fishing nets of yarn, twine, cordage or rope

GROUP IV

115 // Flax or ramie yarn

117 // Woven fabrics of flax or of ramie

118 // Table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen of flax or ramie, other knitted or crocheted

121 // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, plaited or not, of flax or ramie

122 // Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, used, of flax, other than knitted or crocheted

GROUP V

125 B // Monofilament, strip (artificial straw and the like) and imitation catgut of synthetic materials

127 B // Monofilament, strip (artificial straw and the like) and imitation catgut of artificial textile materials

128 // Coarse animal hair, carded or combed

130 A // Silk yarn other than yarn spun from silk waste

130 B // Silk yarn other than of category 130 A; silk-worm gut

132 // Paper yarn

136 // Woven fabrics of silk or of silk waste

146 C // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, whether or not plaited or braided, of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading N° 5303

147 // Silk waste( incl. cocoons unsuitable for reeling), yarn waste and garnetted stock, other than not carded or combed

151 B // Carpets and other textile floor coverings, of jute or of other textile bast fibres, other than tufted or flocked

154 // Silkworm cocoons suitable for reeling

// Raw silk (not thrown)

// Silk waste( incl. cocoons unsuitable for reeling), yarn waste and garnetted stock, not carded or combed

// Wool not carded or combed

// Fine or coarse animal hair, not carded or combed

// Waste of wool or of fine or coarse animal hair, including yarn waste but excluding garnetted stock

// Garnetted stock of wool or of fine or coarse animal hair

// Flax, raw or processed but not spun: flax tow and waste (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

// Ramie and other vegetable textile fibres, raw or processed but not spun: tow, noils and waste, other than coir and abaca of heading N° 5304

// Cotton, not carded nor combed

// Cotton waste (incl. yarn waste and garnetted stock)

// True hemp (cannabis sativa), raw or processed but not spun: tow and waste of true hemp (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

// Abaca (Manila hemp or Musa Textilis Nee),raw or processed but not spun: tow and waste of abaca (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

// Jute or other textile bast fibres (excl. flax, true hemp and ramie),,raw or processed but not spun: tow and waste of jute or other textile bast fibres (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

// Other vegetable textile fibres, raw or processed but not spun: tow and waste of such fibres (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

156 // Blouses and pullovers knitted or crocheted of silk or silk waste for women and girls

157 // Garments, knitted or crocheted, other than those of categories 1 to 123 and 156

159 // Dresses, blouses and shirt-blouses, not knitted or crocheted, of silk or silk waste

// Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like, not knitted or crocheted, of silk or silk waste

// Ties, bow ties and cravats of silk or silk waste

OTHER

1631) // Gauze and articles of gauze put up in forms or packings for retail sale

1) Only applies to imports from China

ANNEX III

"ANNEX II

List of textile and clothing products integrated into the normal GATT 1994 rules

Category // Description

10 // Gloves, mittens and mitts, knitted or crocheted

18 // Men's or boys' singlets and other vests, underpants, briefs, nightshirts, pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, other than knitted or crocheted

// Women's or girls' singlets and other vests, slips, petticoats, briefs, panties, night-dresses, pyjamas, négliges, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, other than knitted or crocheted

19 // Handkerchiefs, other than knitted or crocheted

21 // Parkas; anoraks, windcheaters, waister jackets and the like, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres; upper parts of tracksuits with lining, other than category 16 or 29, of cotton or of man-made fibres

24 // Men's or boys' nightshirts, pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, knitted or crocheted

// Women's or girls' night-dresses, pyjamas, négliges, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, knitted or crocheted

27 // Women's or girls' skirts, including divided skirts

32 // Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics (other than terry towelling or terry fabrics of cotton and narrow woven fabrics) and tufted textile surfaces, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres

33 // Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn obtained from strip or the like of polyethylene or polypropylene, less than 3 m wide

// Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, not knitted or crocheted, obtained from strip or the like

34 // Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn obtained from strip or the like of polyethylene or polypropylene, 3 m or more wide

36 // Woven fabrics of continuous artificial fibres , other than those for tyres of category 114

37 // Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres

38 A // Knitted or crocheted synthetic curtain fabric including net curtain fabric

40 // Woven curtains ( including drapes, interior blinds, curtain and bed valances and other furnishing articles), other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

41 // Yarn of synthetic filament (continuous), not put up for retail sale, other than non textured single yarn untwisted or with a twist of not more than 50 turns/m

42 // Yarn of continuous man-made fibres, not put up for retail sale

// Yarn of artificial fibres; yarn of artificial filaments, not put up for retail sale, other than single yarn of viscose rayon untwisted or with a twist of not more than 250 turns/m and single non textured yarn of cellulose acetate

43 // Yarn of man-made filament, yarn of artificial staple fibres, cotton yarn, put up for retail sale

46 // Carded or combed sheep's or lambs' wool or other fine animal hair

47 // Yarn of carded sheep's or lambs' wool (woollen yarn) or of carded fine animal hair, not put up for retail sale

48 // Yarn of combed sheep's or lambs' wool (worsted yarn) or of combed fine animal hair, not put up for retail sale

49 // Yarn of sheep's or lambs' wool or of combed fine animal hair, put up for retail sale

53 // Cotton gauze

54 // Artificial staple fibres, including waste, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning

55 // Synthetic staple fibres, including waste, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning

56 // Yarn of synthetic staple fibres (including waste), put up for retail sale

58 // Carpets, carpentines and rugs, knotted ( made up or not)

59 // Carpets and other textile floor coverings, other than the carpets of category 58

60 // Tapestries, hand-made, of the type Gobelins, Flanders, Aubusson, Beauvais and the like, and needlework tapestries (e.g. petit point and cross stitch) made in panels and the like by hand

61 // Narrow woven fabrics, and narrow fabrics (bolduc) consisting of warp without weft, assembled by means of an adhesive, other than labels and similar articles of category 62

// Elastic fabrics and trimmings (not knitted or crocheted), made from textile materials assembled from rubber thread

62 // Chenille yarn (incl. flock chenille yarn), gimped yarn (other than metallized yarn and gimped horsehair yarn)

// Tulle and other net fabrics but not including woven, knitted or crocheted fabrics, hand or mechanically-made lace, in the piece, in strips or in motifs

// Labels, badges and the like of textile materials, not embroidered, in the piece, in strips or cut to shape or size, woven

// Braids and ornamental trimmings in the piece; tassels, pompons and the like

// Embroidery, in the piece, in strips or in motifs

63 // Knitted or crocheted fabric of synthetic fibres containing by weight 5% or more elastomeric yarn and knitted or crocheted fabrics containing by weight 5% or more of rubber thread

// Raschel lace and long-pile fabric of synthetic fibres

65 // Knitted or crocheted fabric, other than those of categories 38 A and 63, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

66 // Travelling rugs and blankets, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

67 // Knitted or crocheted clothing accessories other than for babies; household linen of all kinds, knitted or crocheted; curtains (incl. drapes) and interior blinds, curtain or bed valances and other furnishing articles knitted or crocheted; knitted or crocheted blankets and travelling rugs, other knitted or crocheted articles including parts of garments or of clothing accessories

68 // Babies' garments and clothing accessories, excluding babies' gloves, mittens and mitts of categories 10 and 87, and babies' stockings, socks and sockettes, other than knitted or crocheted, of category 88

69 // Women's and girls' slips and petticoats, knitted or crocheted

70 // Panty-hose and tights of synthetic fibres, measuring per single yarn less than 67 decitex (6,7 tex)

// Women's full length hosiery of synthetic fibres

72 // Swimwear, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

73 // Track suits of knitted or crocheted fabric, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres

74 // Women's or girls' knitted or crocheted suits and ensembles, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres, excluding ski suits

75 // Men's or boys' knitted or crocheted suits and ensembles, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres, excluding ski suit

76 // Men's or boys' industrial or occupational clothing, other than knitted or crocheted

77 // Ski suits, other than knitted or crocheted

84 // Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

85 // Ties, bow ties and cravats other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

86 // Corsets, corset-belts, suspender belts, braces, suspenders, garters and the like, and parts thereof, whether or not knitted or crocheted

87 // Gloves, mittens and mitts, not knitted or crocheted

88 // Stockings, socks and sockettes, not knitted or crocheted; other clothing accessories, parts of garments or of clothing accessories other than for babies, other than knitted or crocheted

91 // Tents

93 // Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods of woven fabrics, other than made from polyethylene or polypropylene strip

94 // Wadding of textile materials and articles thereof; textile fibres, not exceeding 5 mm in length (flock), textile dust and mill neps

95 // Felt and articles thereof, whether or not impregnated or coated, other than floor coverings

96 // Non-woven fabrics and articles of such fabrics, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated

98 // Other articles made from yarn, twine, cordage, cables or rope , other than textile fabrics, articles made from such fabrics and articles of category 97

99 // Textile fabrics coated with gum or amylaceous substances, of a kind used for the outer covers of books and the like; tracing cloth; prepared painting canvas; buckram and similar stiffened textile fabrics of a kind used for hat foundations

// Linoleum, whether or not cut to shape; floor coverings consisting of a coating or covering applied on a textile backing, whether or not cut to shape

// Rubberised textile fabric, not knitted or crocheted, excluding those for tyres

// Textile fabrics otherwise impregnated or coated; painted canvas being theatrical scenery, studio back-cloths, other than of category 100

100 // Textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with preparations of cellulose derivatives or of other artificial plastic materials

101 // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, plaited or not, other than of synthetic fibres

109 // Tarpaulins, sails, awnings and sunblinds

110 // Woven pneumatic mattresses

111 // Camping goods, woven, other than pneumatic mattresses and tents

112 // Other made up textile articles, woven, excluding those of categories 113 and 114

113 // Floor cloth, dish cloth and dusters, other than knitted or crocheted

114 // Woven fabrics and articles for technical uses

120 // Curtains ( incl. drapes), interior blinds, curtain and bed valances and other furnishing articles, not knitted or crocheted, of flax or ramie

123 // Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics of flax or ramie, other than narrow woven fabrics

// Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like, of flax or ramie, other than knitted or crocheted

124 // Synthetic staple fibres

125 A // Synthetic filament yarn (continuous) not put up for retail sale, other than yarn of category 41

126 // Artificial staple fibres

127 A // Yarn of artificial filaments (continuous) not put up for retail sale, other than yarn of category 42

129 // Yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair

131 // Yarn of other vegetable textile fibres

133 // Yarn of true hemp

134 // Metallized yarn

135 // Woven fabrics of coarse animal hair or of horse hair

137 // Woven pile fabric and chenille fabrics and narrow woven fabrics of silk, or of silk waste

138 // Woven fabrics of paper yarn and other textile fibres other than of ramie

139 // Woven fabrics of metal threads or of metallized yarn

140 // Knitted or crocheted fabric of textile material other than wool or fine animal hair, cotton or man made fibres

141 // Travelling rugs and blankets of textile material other than wool or fine animal hair, cotton or man made fibres

142 // Carpets and other textile floor coverings of sisal, of other fibres of the agave family or the Manila hemp

144 // Felt of coarse animal hair

145 // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables plaited or not abaca (Manila hemp) or of true hemp

146 A // Binder or baler twine for agricultural machines, of sisal or other fibres of the agave family

146 B // Twine, cordage, ropes and cables of sisal or other fibres of the agave family, other than the products of category 146 A

148 A // Yarn of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading N° 5303

148 B // Coir yarn

149 // Woven fabrics of jute or of other textile bast fibres of a width of more than 150 cm

150 // Woven fabrics of jute or of other textile bast fibres of a width of not more than 150 cm; Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, of jute or of other textile bast fibres, other than used

151 A // Floor coverings of coconut fibres (coir)

152 // Needle loom felt of jute or of other textile bast fibres not impregnated or coated, other than floor coverings

153 // Used sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading N° 5303

160 // Handkerchiefs of silk or silk waste

161 // Garments, not knitted or crocheted, other than those of categories 1 to 123 and category 159

5604 10 // Rubber thread and cord, textile covered

6309 00 // Worn clothing and other worn articles

6405 20 // Other footwear with uppers of textile materials

6501 00 // Hat forms, hat bodies and hoods of felt, neither blocked to shape nor with made brims; plateaux and manchons (including slit manchons), of felt

6502 00 // Hat shapes, plaited or made by saaembling strips of any material, neither blocked to shape, nor with made brims, nor lined, nor trimmed

6503 00 // Felt hats and other felt headgear, made form the hat bodies, hoods or plateaux of heading No 6502, whether or not lined or trimmed

6504 00 // Hats and other headgear, plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed

6505 90 // Hats and other headgear, knitted or crocheted, or made up from lace, felt or other textile fabric, in the piece (but not in strips), whether or not lined or trimmed

6601 10 // Garden or similar umbrellas

6601 91 // Umbrellas and sun umbrellas having a telescopic shaft

6601 99 // Other umbrellas

8708 21 // Safety seat belts

8804 00 // Parachutes (including dirigible parachutes and paragliders) and rotochutes; parts therof and accessories thereto

9113 90 // Other watch straps, watch bands and watch bracelets

9404 90 // Other than mattress supports, matresses or sleeping bags

9502 91 // Garments and accessories therefor, footwear and headgear for dolls representing only human beings

Ex 3921 12 //

Ex 3921 13 //

Ex 3921 90 //

Ex 4202 12 //

Ex 4202 22 //

Ex 4202 32 //

Ex 4202 92 //

Ex 6406 10 //

Ex 6406 99 //

Ex 7019 10 //

Ex 7019 20 //

Ex 9612 10 //