92000E2067

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2067/00

by Joachim Wuermeling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 June 2000)

Subject: Excessive certification requirements thwart crockery imports into Turkey

Since July 1999 Turkey has been demanding presentation of a Turkish certificate for crockery imports. As part of the goods checking process, samples are taken from each shipment, which are not returned, and charges are demanded. This amounts to an import restriction and de facto imposition of an import levy of around 20 % of the value of the goods.

1. Is the Commission aware of this procedure by the Turkish authorities for imports of household and hotel crockery?

2. Does the Commission take the view that the Turkish import regulation adversely affects the Association Agreement between the EU and Turkey?

3. How does the Commission propose to deal with this procedure?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 2000)

The problem referred to by the Honourable Member has been brought to the Commission's attention by representatives of the private sector.

The Commission considers that these measures represent a barrier to trade and run counter to Decision No 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council of 22 December 1995 on implementing the final phase of the Customs Union(1).

The Commission therefore contacted the Turkish authorities in January of this year in order to settle this problem within the Joint Committee on Customs Union.

(1) OJ L 35, 13.2.1996.