24.3.1986 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 78/27 FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT for Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the European Communities and the Kingdom of Norway THE NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT on behalf of the Kingdom of Norway hereinafter called ‘Norway’, of the one part, THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES on behalf of the European Economic Community AND THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the other part, Whereas, without prejudice to the relevant provisions of the Treaties establishing the European Communities, this Framework Agreement and any activities entered into under the Agreement will in no way affect the powers vested in the Member States to undertake bilateral activities with Norway in the field of science, technology, research and development and to conclude, where appropriate, agreements to that end; Considering the importance of scientific and technical research for Norway and the Communities and their mutual interest in cooperation in this field in order to better utilize resources and avoid wasteful duplications; Whereas on the occasion of the meeting in Luxembourg, on 9 April 1984 the ministers of the Member States of the Communities, the ministers of the Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Commission have considered that the growing economic interdependence between the Communities and the EFTA countries justifies in particular a cooperation in the field of research and development and have stressed the necessity to increase these efforts, in particular with the aim of promoting mobility of researchers; whereas in addition the ministers wished that particular attention should be given to certain industrial and technical fields of the future; Whereas Norway and the European Communities are cooperating in the context of various Community research programmes and actions; Whereas Norway and the European Economic Community concluded, on 19 September 1985, a Cooperation Agreement on a research and development programme in the field of metals and mineral substances; Whereas the European Economic Community and the National Bureau for Research and Special Libraries in Norway concluded on 19 December 1984 a Cooperation Agreement on the interconection of the Community network for data transmission (DIANE) and the Norwegian data network for information retrieval purposes; Whereas Norway and the European Economic Community also cooperate in the framework of the European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST), and whereas they intend to continue their efforts in this regard; Whereas Norway and the Communities are pursuing important research programmes in areas of high priority and whereas the objectives of these programmes coincide to a large extent; Whereas Norway and the Communities have an interest in cooperation within the framework of a large number of these programmes; Whereas in order to achieve this, it is desirable to establish a framework encompassing the total cooperation between Norway and the Communities in the field of research to which organizations and private enterprises could be associated; whereas, in addition, this framework should provide simple and efficient procedures and have a dynamic character, HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: A. Objective of the Agreement Article 1 The present Agreement defines a framework for the development of scientific and technical cooperation between Norway and the Communities in fields of common interest which are the subject of Community and Norwegian research and development programmes. Article 2 The cooperation may be carried out by public or private organizations and undertakings, participating in the research and development programmes in Norway and the Communities as referred to in Article 1. Article 3 The cooperation between Norway and the Communities must be based on concrete programmes and projects. It may take the following forms: — regular exchanges of views on the direction and priorities of research policies and planning in Norway and the Communities, — exchanges of views on the perspectives and on the development of cooperation, — transmission of information resulting from the cooperation provided by this Agreement, — coordination of programmes and projects carried out by Norway and the Communities, — joint programmes or sub-programmes and joint actions to be carried out by Norway and the European Communities. Article 4 The cooperation could be implemented in the following ways: — joint meetings, — visits and exchanges of researchers, engineers and technical staff, — regular contacts between programme or project planners and managers, — participation by experts in seminars, symposia and workshops, — participation in joint programmes or sub-programmes and joint actions, — availability of documents and communication of the results of work carried out in the framework of the cooperation. Article 5 The cooperation may be adapted and developed at any time by common agreement of the contracting parties. B. Implementation of the cooperation Article 6 The cooperation covered by this Agreement shall be carried out through appropriate agreements. Article 7 The agreements referred to in Article 6 shall specify the arrangements for cooperation in each case and in particular: — objectives and scientific and technical content, — rules concerning dissemination of knowledge and intellectual property, — arrangements concerning staff mobility and the participation of one contracting party's representatives in the organizations of the other party, — modalities for financial participation in cooperation agreements, — any other appropriate modalities. Article 8 The agreements as referred to in Article 6 shall be concluded in accordance with procedures in force for each contracting party. Article 9 The contracting parties shall communicate to each other, the names of the organizations and undertakings as referred to in Article 2, taking part in the cooperation. C. Joint committee Article 10 A joint committee called ‘the Norway/Communities Research Committee’ shall be set up, to: — identify likely areas of cooperation and examine any measure to improve and develop the cooperation, — carry out regular exchanges of views on the direction and priorities of research policies and planning in Norway and the Communities and on the perspectives of cooperation, — ensure the proper execution of this Agreement. Article 11 The Joint Committee composed of representatives of the Commission and Norway, shall adopt its own rules of procedure. It shall meet at the request of any of the contracting parties and at least once a year. D. European Coal and Steel Community Article 12 A separate protocol could be concluded between the European Coal and Steel Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Norway, of the other part, if it proved mutually advantageous to cooperate in areas covered by the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community. E. Final provisions Article 13 This Agreement shall be approved by the contracting parties in accordance with their existing procedures. It shall enter into force on the date on which the contracting parties have notified each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose. Article 14 This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community is applied and under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, and on the other hand, to the territory of the Kingdom of Norway. Article 15 This Agreement shall be of indefinite duration. Each contracting party shall be able to denounce this Agreement at any time or request a review thereof subject to 12 months' notice. Article 16 This Agreement shall be drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Norwegian languages, each text being equally authentic. For the Council and the Commission of the European Communities For the Kingdom of Norway

Summary: Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and Euratom and Norway Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and Euratom and Norway SUMMARY OF: Framework Agreement for Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the European Communities and Norway Council Decision 86/88/EEC, Euratom concerning the conclusion of the Framework Agreement for scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and Norway Commission Decision 87/183/Euratom concerning the final conclusion on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Framework Agreements for scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Norway and Austria WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND OF THE DECISIONS? The agreement establishes a formal framework for the development of scientific and technical cooperation between Norway and the European Communities (now the European Union (EU) and Euratom) in fields of common interest which are the subject of research and development programmes. By its Decision 86/88/EEC, Euratom, the Council approved the conclusion of the agreement on behalf of the EU and Euratom. By its Decision 97/183/Euratom, the European Commission approved the final conclusion of the agreement on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). KEY POINTS Cooperation The cooperation may take the following forms: regular exchanges of views on the direction and priorities of research policies and planning in Norway and the EU and Euratom; exchanges of views on the perspectives and on the development of cooperation; transmission of information resulting from the cooperation under this agreement; coordination of programmes and projects carried out in Norway and in the EU (EU and Euratom); participation in joint programmes or sub-programmes and the carrying out of joint actions by Norway and the EU and Euratom. Activities The cooperation may be implemented in the following ways: joint meetings; visits and exchanges of researchers, engineers and technical staff; regular contacts between programme or project planners and managers; participation by experts in seminars, symposia and workshops; participation in joint programmes or sub-programmes and joint actions; availability of documents and communication of the results of work carried out in the context of the cooperation. DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE The agreement entered into force on 17 July 1987 for an indefinite period. It may be terminated or reviewed at any time by either party with 12 months’ written notice. BACKGROUND Relations between the EU and Norway are governed principally by the Agreement on the European Economic Area which created a zone in which there is free movement of people, services, goods and capital that comprises the EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. For more information, see: Norway and the EU (European External Action Service). MAIN DOCUMENTS Framework Agreement for Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the European Communities and the Kingdom of Norway (OJ L 78, 24.3.1986, pp. 27-28) Council Decision 86/88/EEC, Euratom of 10 March 1986 concerning the conclusion of the Framework Agreement for scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and the Kingdom of Norway (OJ L 78, 24.3.1986, p. 26) Commission Decision 87/183/Euratom of 9 March 1987 concerning the final conclusion on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Framework Agreements for scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and the Kingdom of Sweden, the Swiss Confederation, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Austria (OJ L 71, 14.3.1987, p. 36) last update 27.03.2020


12.5.1984 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 126/3 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE HARMONIZATION OF FRONTIER CONTROLS OF GOODS PREAMBLE THE CONTRACTING PARTIES, DESIRING to improve the international movement of goods, BEARING IN MIND the need to facilitate the passage of goods at frontiers, NOTING that control measures are applied at frontiers by different control services, ACKNOWLEDGING that the conditions under which such controls are carried out may be extensively harmonized without impairing their purpose, their proper implementation and their effectiveness, CONVINCED that the harmonization of frontier controls constitutes an important means for attaining these objectives, HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 Definitions For the purposes of this Convention: (a) ‘Customs’ means the Government Service which is responsible for the administration of customs law and the collection of import and export duties and taxes and which also has responsibility for the application of other laws and regulations relating inter alia to the importation, transit and exportation of goods; (b) ‘Customs control’ means measures applied to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations which the Customs are responsible for enforcing; (c) ‘Medico-sanitary inspection’ means the inspections exercised for the protection of the life and health of persons, with the exception of veterinary inspection; (d) ‘Veterinary inspection’ means the sanitary inspection applied to animals and animal products with a view to protecting the life and health of persons and animals, as well as that carried out on objects or goods which could serve as a carrier for animal diseases; (e) ‘Phytosanitary inspection’ means the inspection intended to prevent the spread and the introduction across national boundaries of pests of plants and plant products; (f) ‘Control of compliance with technical standards’ means the control to ensure that goods meet the minimum international or national standards specified by relevant laws and regulations; (g) ‘Quality control’ means any control other than those referred to above to ensure that the goods correspond to the minimum international or national definitions of quality specified by relevant laws and regulations; (h) ‘Control services’ means any service responsible for carrying out all or part of the controls defined above or any other controls regularly applied to the importation, exportation or transit of goods. Article 2 Aim In order to facilitate the international movement of goods, this Convention aims at reducing the requirements for completing formalities as well as the number and duration of controls, in particular by national and international coordination of control procedures and of their methods of application. Article 3 Scope 1. This Convention applies to all goods being imported or exported or in transit, when being moved across one or more maritime, air or inland frontiers. 2. This Convention applies to all control services of the Contracting Parties. CHAPTER II HARMONIZATION OF PROCEDURES Article 4 Coordination of controls The Contracting Parties shall undertake, to the extent possible, to organize in a harmonized manner the intervention of the Customs services and the other control services. Article 5 Resources of the services To ensure that the control services operate satisfactorily, the Contracting Parties shall see to it that, as far as possible, and within the framework of national law, they are provided with: (a) qualified personnel in sufficient numbers consistent with traffic requirements; (b) equipment and facilities suitable for inspection, taking into account the mode of transport, the goods to be checked and traffic requirements; (c) official instructions to officers for acting in accordance with international agreements and arrangements and with current national provisions. Article 6 International cooperation The Contracting Parties undertake to cooperate with each other and to seek any necessary cooperation from the competent international bodies, in order to achieve the aims of this Convention, and furthermore to attempt to arrive at new multilateral or bilateral agreements or arrangements, if necessary. Article 7 Cooperation between adjacent countries Whenever a common inland frontier is crossed, the Contracting Parties concerned shall take appropriate measures, whenever possible, to facilitate the passage of the goods, and they shall, in particular: (a) endeavour to arrange for the joint control of goods and documents, through the provision of shared facilities; (b) endeavour to ensure that the following correspond: — opening hours of frontier posts, — the control services operating there, — the categories of goods, the modes of transport and the international customs transit procedures accepted or in use there. Article 8 Exchange of information The Contracting Parties shall, on request, send each other information necessary for the application of this Convention under the conditions specified in the Annexes. Article 9 Documents 1. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour to further the use, between themselves and with the competent international bodies, of documents aligned on the United Nations Layout Key. 2. The Contracting Parties shall accept documents produced by any appropriate technical process, provided that they comply with official regulations as to their form, authenticity and certification, and that they are legible and understandable. 3. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that the necessary documents are prepared and authenticated in strict compliance with the relevant legislation. CHAPTER III PROVISIONS CONCERNING TRANSIT Article 10 Goods in transit 1. The Contracting Parties shall, wherever possible, provide simple and speedy treatment for goods in transit, especially for those travelling under cover of an international customs transit procedure, by limiting their inspections to cases where these are warranted by the actual circumstances or risks. Additionally, they shall take into account the situation of land-locked countries. They shall endeavour to provide for extension of the hours and the competence of existing customs posts available for customs clearance for goods carried under an international customs transit procedure. 2. They shall endeavour to facilitate to the utmost the transit of goods carried in containers or other load units affording adequate security. CHAPTER IV MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Article 11 Public order 1. No provision in this Convention shall preclude the application of the prohibitions or restrictions relating to importation, exportation, or transit, imposed for reasons of public order, and in particular public safety, morality, and health, or for the protection of the environment, of cultural heritage or industrial, commercial and intellectual property. 2. Nevertheless, whenever possible without prejudice to the effectiveness of the controls, the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to apply to the controls in connection with the application of the measures mentioned in paragraph 1 above the provisions of this Convention inter alia those which are the subject of Articles 6 to 9. Article 12 Emergency measures 1. The emergency measures which the Contracting Parties may be led to introduce because of particular circumstances, must be proportionate to the reasons which give rise to their introduction and must be suspended or abrogated when these reasons no longer exist. 2. Whenever possible without prejudice to the effectiveness of the measures, the Contracting Parties shall publish the relevant provisions for such measures. Article 13 Annexes 1. The Annexes to this Convention form an integral part of the Convention. 2. New annexes relating to other sectors of control may be added to this Convention according to the procedure specified in Articles 22 or 24 below. Article 14 Relation to other treaties Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 6, the Convention shall not override the rights and obligations arising from treaties which the Contracting Parties to the Convention concluded before becoming Contracting Parties to this Convention. Article 15 This Convention shall not prevent the application of greater facilities which two or more Contracting Parties may wish to grant to each other, nor the right of regional economic integration organizations referred to in Article 16 which are Contracting Parties to apply their own legislation to controls at their internal frontiers, on condition that this does not reduce in any way the facilities deriving from this Convention. Article 16 Signature, ratification, acceptance, approval and accession 1. This Convention, deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, shall be open to the participation of all States and of regional economic integration organizations constituted by sovereign States which have competence to negotiate, conclude and apply international agreements on matters covered by the Convention. 2. The regional economic integration organizations referred to in paragraph 1 may, for the matters within their competence, exercise on their own behalf the rights and fulfil the responsibilities which this Convention otherwise confers on their Member States which are Contracting Parties to this Convention. In such cases the Member States of the said organizations shall not be entitled to exercise individually such rights, including the right to vote. 3. States and the regional economic integration organizations referred to above may become Contracting Parties to this Convention: (a) by depositing an instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval after signing it, or (b) by depositing an instrument of accession. 4. This Convention shall be open from 1 April 1983 until 31 March 1984 inclusive for signature at the Office of the United Nations at Geneva by all States and the regional economic integration organizations referred to in paragraph 1. 5. From 1 April 1983 it shall be open for their accession. 6. The instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Article 17 Entry into force 1. This Convention shall enter into force three months after the date on which five States have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. 2. After five States have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, this Convention shall enter into force for further Contracting Parties three months after the date of the deposit of their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. 3. Any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. deposited after the entry into force of an amendment to this Convention shall be deemed to apply to this Convention as amended. 4. Any such instrument deposited after an amendment has been accepted in accordance with the procedure in Article 22 but before it has entered into force shall be deemed to apply to this Convention as amended on the date when the amendment enters into force. Article 18 Denunciation 1. Any Contracting Party may denounce this Convention by so notifying the Secretary-General of the United Nations. 2. Denunciation shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary-General of the notification of denunciation. Article 19 Termination If, after the entry into force of this Convention, the number of States which are Contracting Parties is for any period of 12 consecutive months reduced to less than five, the Convention shall cease to have effect from the end of the 12-month period. Article 20 Settlement of disputes 1. Any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention shall, so far as possible, be settled by negotiation between them or by other means of settlement. 2. Any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention which cannot be settled by the means indicated in paragraph 1 of this Article shall, at the request of one of them, be referred to an arbitration tribunal composed as follows: each party to the dispute shall appoint an arbitrator and these arbitrators shall appoint another arbitrator, who shall be chairman. If, three months after receipt of a request, one of the parties has failed to appoint an arbitrator or if the arbitrators have failed to elect the chairman, any of the parties may request the Secretary General of the United Nations to appoint an arbitrator or the chairman of the arbitration tribunal. 3. The decision of the arbitration tribunal established under the provisions of paragraph 2 shall be final and binding on the parties to the dispute. 4. The arbitration tribunal shall determine its own rules of procedure. 5. The arbitration tribunal shall take its decisions by majority vote and on the basis of the treaties existing between the parties to the dispute and of general international law. 6. Any controversy which may arise between the parties to the dispute as regards the interpretation and execution of the award may be submitted by any of the parties for judgement to the arbitration tribunal which made the award. 7. Each party to the dispute shall bear the cost of its own appointed arbitrator and of its representatives in the arbitral proceedings; the cost of the chairman and the remaining costs shall be borne in equal parts by the parties to the dispute. Article 21 Reservations 1. Any Contracting Party may, at the time of signing, ratifying, accepting or approving this Convention or acceding to it, declare that it does not consider itself bound by Article 20 (2) to (7) of this Convention. Other Contracting Parties shall not be bound by these paragraphs in respect of any Contracting Party which has entered such a reservation. 2. Any Contracting Party having entered a reservation as provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article may at any time withdraw such reservation by notifying the Secretary-General of the United Nations. 3. Apart from the reservations provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article, no reservation to this Convention shall be permitted. Article 22 Procedure for amending this Convention 1. This Convention, including its Annexes, may be amended upon the proposal of a Contracting Party by the procedure specified in this Article. 2. Any proposed amendment to this Convention shall be considered in an Administrative Committee composed of all the Contracting Parties in accordance with the rules of procedure set out in Annex 7. Any such amendment considered or prepared during the meeting of the Administrative Committee and adopted by it shall be communicated by the Sectretary-General of the United Nations to the Contracting Parties for their acceptance. 3. Any proposed amendment communicated in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall come into force with respect to all Contracting Parties three months after the expiry of a period of 12 months following the date of communication of the proposed amendment during which period no objection to the proposed amendment has been communciated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations by a State which is a Contracting Party or by a regional economic integration organization, itself a Contracting Party, which then acts within the conditions specified in Article 16 (2) of this Convention. 4. If an objection to the proposed amendment has been communicated in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article, the amendment shall be deemed not to have been accepted and shall have no effect whatsoever. Article 23 Requests, communications and objections The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all Contracting Parties and all States of any request, communication or objection under Article 22 and of the date on which any amendment enters into force. Article 24 Review conference After this Convention has been in force for five years, any Contracting Party may, by notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, request that a conference be convened for the purpose of reviewing the Convention, indicating the proposals which should be dealt with by the conference. In such a case: (i) The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall notify all the Contracting Parties of the request and invite them to submit, within a period of three months, their comments on the original proposals and such other proposals as they may wish the conference to consider. (ii) The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall also communicate to all the Contracting Parties the text of any other proposals made and shall convene a review conference if, within a period of six months from the date of that communication, not less than one-third of the Contracting Parties notify the Secretary-General of the United Nations of their concurrence with the convening of such a conference. (iii) However, if the Secretary-General of the United Nations considers that a review proposal may be regarded as a proposed amendment under paragraph 1 of Article 22, he may, by agreement with the Contracting Party which has made the proposal, implement the amendment procedure provided for by Article 22 instead of the review procedure. Article 25 Notifications In addition to the notifications and communications provided for in Articles 23 and 24, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall notify all States of the following: (a) signatures, ratifications, acceptances, approvals and accessions under Article 16; (b) the dates of entry into force of this Convention in accordance with Article 17; (c) denunciations under Article 18; (d) the termination of this convention under Article 19; (e) reservations under Article 21. Article 26 Certified true copies After 31 March 1984 the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall transmit two certified true copies of this Convention to each of the Contracting Parties and to all States which are not Contracting Parties. Done at Geneva, this twenty-first day of October one thousand nine hundred and eighty-two, in a single original, of which the English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic. In witness whereof, the undersigned plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Convention. ANNEX 1 HARMONIZATION OF CUSTOMS CONTROLS AND OTHER CONTROLS Article 1 Principles 1. As the customs are present at all frontiers and as their interventions are of a general nature, other controls shall, as far as possible, be organized in a harmonized manner with customs controls. 2. In application of this principle, it is possible if appropriate to carry out all or part of these controls elsewhere than at the frontier, provided that the procedures used contribute to facilitate the international movement of goods. Article 2 1. The customs shall be kept fully informed of the requirements prescribed by laws or regulations which may lead to the operation of controls other than customs controls. 2. When it is found that other controls are necessary, the customs shall ensure that the services concerned are informed and shall cooperate with them. Article 3 Organization of controls 1. When several controls have to be carried out at the same place, the competent services shall make all appropriate arrangements to carry them out simultaneously, if possible, or with the minimum delay. They shall endeavour to coordinate their requirements as to documents and information. 2. In particular, the competent services shall make all appropriate arrangements for the necessary personnel and facilities to be available at the place where the controls are carried out. 3. The customs may, through explicit delegation of powers by the competent services, carry out on their behalf all or part of the controls of which these services are responsible. In this case, these services will see to it that the necessary means be furnished to customs. Article 4 Result of controls 1. In all matters dealt with by this Convention, control services and customs shall exchange all relevant information as soon as possible so as to ensure that controls are efficient. 2. On the basis of the results of the controls carried out, the competent service shall decide on the subsequent treatment of the goods, and if necessary, shall inform the services responsible for other controls. On the basis of this decision customs shall subject the goods to the appropriate customs procedure. ANNEX 2 MEDICO-SANITARY INSPECTION Article 1 Principles Wherever carried out, medico-sanitary inspection shall comply with the principles laid down in this Convention, and particularly in Annex 1 thereto. Article 2 Information Each Contracting Party shall ensure that information on the following is readily available to any person interested: — the goods subject to medico-sanitary inspection; — the places where the goods in question may be presented for inspection; — the requirements as set out in laws and regulations concerning medico-sanitary inspection as well as their procedures of general application. Article 3 Organization of controls 1. The control services shall see to it that the necessary facilities at frontier points where medico-sanitary inspection may take place are provided. 2. Medico-sanitary inspection may also be carried out at places in the interior of the country, if it is clear from the certificates produced and from the transport techniques employed, that the goods cannot deteriorate or cause contamination during carriage. 3. Within the framework of Conventions in force the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to reduce, as far as possible, the physical controls of perishable goods en route. 4. When goods have to be held pending the results of medico-sanitary inspection, the competent control services of the Contracting Parties shall arrange that such storage shall be in conditions providing for the conservation of the goods and involving the minimum of customs formalities. Article 4 Goods in transit Within the framework of Conventions in force the Contracting Parties shall, as far as possible, dispense with the medico-sanitary inspection of goods in transit in those circumstances where there is no risk of contamination. Article 5 Cooperation 1. The medico-sanitary inspection services shall cooperate with the corresponding services of other Contracting Parties so as to expedite the passage of perishable goods subjected to medico-sanitary inspection inter alia through the exchange of useful information. 2. When a consignment of perishable goods is intercepted during medico-sanitary inspection, the competent service shall endeavour to notify the corresponding service of the country of exportation within as short a time as possible, indicating the reasons for the interception and the measures taken concerning the goods. ANNEX 3 VETERINARY INSPECTION Article 1 Principles Wherever carried out, veterinary inspection shall comply with the principles laid down in the Convention, and particularly in Annex 1 thereto. Article 2 Definitions The veterinary inspection defined in Article 1 (d) of this Convention covers also the inspection of means and conditions of transport of animals and animal products. It may also include the inspections bearing on quality standards and the various regulations, such as the inspection aiming at the conservation of endangered species, which, for reasons of effectiveness, are often associated with the veterinary inspection. Article 3 Information Each Contracting Party shall ensure that information on the following is readily available to any person interested: — the goods subject to veterinary inspection, — the places where the goods may be presented for inspection, — the compulsorily notifiable diseases, — the requirements as set out in laws and regulations concerning veterinary inspection as well as their procedures of general application. Article 4 Organization of controls 1. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour: — to set up, where necessary and possible, appropriate facilities for veterinary inspection, in conformity with traffic requirements, — to facilitate the movement of goods, in particular through the coordination of working hours of the veterinary and customs services and agreement to effect clearance outside normal hours, where their arrival has been notified in advance. 2. The veterinary inspection of animal products may be undertaken at points within the country provided that it can be shown, and the means of transport used are such, that the products will not deteriorate or cause contamination during their transport. 3. Within the framework of Conventions in force the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to reduce, as far as possible, the physical controls of perishable goods en route. 4. When goods have to be held pending the results of veterinary inspection, the competent control services of the Contracting Parties shall arrange that such storage shall take place with the minimum of customs formalities and in conditions providing for the quarantine safety and conservation of the goods. Article 5 Goods in transit Within the framework of Conventions in force the Contracting Parties shall, as far as possible, dispense with the veterinary inspection of animal products in transit in those circumstances where there is no risk of contamination. Article 6 Cooperation 1. The veterinary inspection services shall cooperate with the corresponding services of other Contracting Parties so as to expedite the passage of goods subjected to veterinary inspection inter alia through the exchange of useful information. 2. When a consignment of perishable goods or live animals is intercepted during veterinary inspection, the competent service shall endeavour to notify the corresponding service of the country of exportation within as short a time as possible, indicating the reasons for the interception and the measures taken concerning the goods. ANNEX 4 PHYTOSANITARY INSPECTION Article 1 Principles Wherever carried out, phytosanitary inspection shall comply with the principles laid down in this Convention, and particularly in Annex 1 thereto. Article 2 Definitions The phytosanitary inspection defined in Article 1 (e) of the present Convention covers also the inspection of means and conditions of transport of plants and plant products. It may also cover the measures aiming at the conservation of endangered plant species. Article 3 Information Each Contracting Party shall ensure that information on the following is readily available to any person interested: — the goods subject to special phytosanitary conditions, — the places where particular plants and plant products may be presented for inspection, — the list of pests of plants and plant products for which prohibitions and restrictions are in force, — the list of requirements as set out in laws and regulations concerning phytosanitary inspection as well as their procedures of general application. Article 4 Organization of controls 1. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour: — to set up, where necessary and possible, appropriate phytosanitary inspection, storage, and disinfestation and disinfection facilities, in conformity with traffic requirements, — to facilitate the movement of goods, in particular through the coordination of working hours of the phytosanitary and customs services and agreement to effect clearance of perishable goods outside normal hours where their arrival has been notified in advance. 2. The phytosanitary inspection of plants and plant products may be undertaken at points within the country provided that it can be shown, and the means of transport used are such, that the goods will not cause infestation during their transport. 3. Within the framework of Conventions in force the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to reduce, as far as possible, the physical controls of perishable plants and plant products en route. 4. When goods have to be held pending the results of phytosanitary inspection, the competent control services of the Contracting Parties shall arrange that such storage shall take place with the minimum of customs formalities and in conditions providing for the quarantine safety and conservation of the goods. Article 5 Goods in transit Within the framework of Conventions in force the Contracting Parties shall, as far as possible, dispense with the phytosanitary inspection of goods in transit, unless such measures are necessary for the protection of their own plants. Article 6 Cooperation 1. The phytosanitary services shall cooperate with the corresponding services of other Contracting Parties so as to expedite the passage of plants and plant products subjected to phytosanitary inspection inter alia through the exchange of useful information. 2. When a consignment of plants or plant products is intercepted during phytosanitary inspection, the competent service shall endeavour to notify the corresponding service of the country of exportation within as short a time as possible, indicating the reasons for the interception and the measures taken concerning the goods. ANNEX 5 CONTROL OF COMPLIANCE WITH TECHNICAL STANDARDS Article 1 Principles Wherever carried out, the control of compliance with technical standards relating to the goods covered by this Convention, shall comply with the principles laid down in the Convention, and particularly in Annex 1 thereto. Article 2 Information Each Contracting Party shall ensure that information on the following is readily available to any person interested: — the standards applied by it, — the places where the goods may be presented for inspection, — the requirements as set out in laws and regulations concerning the control of compliance with technical standards as well as their procedures of general application. Article 3 Harmonization of standards In the absence of international standards, Contracting Parties which apply national standards shall endeavour to harmonize them by way of international agreements. Article 4 Organization of controls 1. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour: — to set up, where necessary and possible, stations for the control of compliance with technical standards, in conformity with traffic requirements, — to facilitate the movement of goods, in particular through the coordination of working hours of the service responsible for the control of compliance with technical standards and the customs services and agreement to effect clearance of perishable goods outside normal hours where their arrival has been notified in advance. 2. The control of compliance with technical standards may also be undertaken at points within the country provided that it can be shown, and the means of transport used are such, that the goods, and especially perishable goods, will not deteriorate during their transport. 3. Within the framework of Conventions in force the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to reduce, as far as possible, the physical controls en route of perishable goods subjected to control of compliance with technical standards. 4. The Contracting Parties shall organize control of compliance with technical standards, harmonizing wherever possible the procedures of the service responsible for these controls with those of any services responsible for other controls and inspections. 5. In the case of perishable goods held pending the results of control of compliance with technical standards, the competent control services of the Contracting Parties shall ensure that the storage of the goods or the parking of transport equipment shall take place with the minimum of customs formalities and in conditions providing for the conservation of the goods. Article 5 Goods in transit The controls of compliance with technical standards do not normally apply to goods in through transit. Article 6 Cooperation 1. The services responsible for the control of compliance with technical standards shall cooperate with the corresponding services of other Contracting Parties so as to expedite the passage of perishable goods subjected to control of compliance with technical standards inter alia through the exchange of useful information. 2. When a consignment of perishable goods is intercepted during control of compliance with technical standards, the competent service shall endeavour to notify the corresponding service of the country of exportation within as short a time as possible, indicating the reasons for the interception and the measures taken concerning the goods. ANNEX 6 QUALITY CONTROL Article 1 Principles Wherever carried out, quality control of the goods covered by this Convention, shall comply with the principles laid down in the Convention, and particularly in Annex 1 thereto. Article 2 Information Each Contracting Party shall ensure that information on the following is readily available to any person interested: — the place where the goods may be presented for inspection, — the requirements as set out in laws and regulations concerning quality control as well as their procedures of general application. Article 3 Organization of controls 1. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour: — to set up, where necessary and possible, quality control stations, in conformity with traffic requirements; — to facilitate the movement of goods, in particular through the coordination of working hours of the quality control and customs services and agreement to effect clearance of perishable goods outside normal hours where their arrival has been notified in advance. 2. The quality control may be undertaken at points within the country provided that the procedures used contribute to facilitate the international movement of goods. 3. Within the framework of Conventions in force the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to reduce, as far as possible, the physical controls en route of perishable goods subjected to quality control. 4. The Contracting Parties shall organize quality control, harmonizing wherever possible the procedures of the service responsible for this control with those of any services responsible for other controls and inspections. Article 4 Goods in transit Quality controls do not normally apply to goods in through transit. Article 5 Cooperation 1. The quality control services shall cooperate with the corresponding services of other Contracting Parties so as to expedite the passage of perishable goods subjected to quality control inter alia through the exchange of useful information. 2. When a consignment of perishable goods is intercepted during quality control, the competent service shall endeavour to notify the corresponding service of the country of exportation within as short a time as possible, indicating the reasons for the interception and the measures taken concerning the goods. ANNEX 7 RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 22 OF THIS CONVENTION Article 1 Members The members of the Administrative Committee shall be the Contracting Parties to this Convention. Article 2 Observers 1. The Administrative Committee may decide to invite the competent administrations of all States which are not Contracting Parties, or representatives of international organizations which are not Contracting Parties, to attend, for questions which interest them, the sessions of the Committee as observers. 2. However, without prejudice to Article 1, the international organizations referred to in paragraph 1 which are competent for the subjects dealt with in the Annexes to this Convention, shall have the right to participate as observers in the work of the Administrative Committee. Article 3 Secretariat The Secretariat of the Committee shall be provided by the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe. Article 4 Convocations The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe shall convene the Committee: (i) two years after the Convention entered into force; (ii) thereafter, at a date fixed by the Committee, but not less frequently than every five years; (iii) at the request of the competent administrations of at least five States which are Contracting Parties. Article 5 Officers The Committee shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman on the occasion of every session. Article 6 Quorum A quorum consisting of not less than one-third of the States which are Contracting Parties is required for the purposes of taking decisions. Article 7 Decisions (i) Proposals shall be put to the vote. (ii) Each State which is a Contracting Party represented at the session shall have one vote. (iii) Where Article 16 (2) of the Convention applies, the regional economic integration organizations parties to the Convention shall have in case of voting only a number of votes equal to the total votes allotted to their Member States which are also parties to the Convention. In this latter case, these Member States do not exercise their right to vote. (iv) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v) below, proposals shall be adopted by a simple majority of the members present and voting in accordance with the conditions specified in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) above. (v) Amendments to this Convention shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting in accordance with the conditions specified in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) above. Article 8 Report Before the closure of its session, the Committee shall adopt its report. Article 9 Supplementary provisions In the absence of relevant provisions in this Annex, the Rules of Procedure of the Economic Commission for Europe shall be applicable, unless the Committee decides otherwise.

Summary: 1982 International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods 1982 International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods SUMMARY OF: Regulation (EEC) No 1262/84 on the conclusion of the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods International Convention on the harmonization of frontier controls of goods WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION AND OF THE CONVENTION? The regulation approves on behalf of the European Economic Community (now the EU) the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods. The convention: seeks to streamline administrative procedures and remove cross-border technical barriers; applies to all goods being imported or exported or in transit, when they are moved across one or more sea, air or inland frontiers; is part of the external trade policy, an area of exclusive EU competence. KEY POINTS Parties to the convention are committed to streamlining administrative procedures at borders and reducing the number and duration of controls carried out by customs authorities. This commitment should be reflected in: cooperation and coordination between customs and other services for monitoring goods; the providing of qualified personnel with the necessary equipment at the place where the controls are to take place; official instructions to officers for acting in accordance with international agreements; cooperation with the competent international bodies, in order to facilitate new multilateral or bilateral agreements; arrangements for the joint control of goods and documents by neighbouring countries that share a border; opening hours of frontier posts, categories of goods, modes of transport and international customs transit procedures should correspond; the sharing of information required for controls to be effective; documents aligned with the United Nations Layout Key. Parties to the convention agree that: goods in transit will receive simple and speedy treatment when they are transported in conditions that provide adequate security. If there is a threat to public safety*, however, they may carry out controls; by extending the hours and competence of existing customs posts, they will facilitate customs clearance for goods covered by an international customs transit procedure. Goods are subject to customs controls as described in Annex 1. These controls are to ensure compliance with the laws and regulations in force at borders. Other types of controls may also be carried out, also at points within the country. Customs services are in charge of organising cooperation and coordination with other goods control services so as to expedite the passage of goods. Information regarding these controls is to be found in the annexes listed below: medico-sanitary inspections carried out for the protection of the life and health of persons (Annex II); veterinary inspections, applied to animals or animal products and their conditions of transport (Annex III); phytosanitary inspections intended to prevent the spread and the introduction across national boundaries of pests of plants and plant products (Annex IV); control of compliance of goods with national and international laws and regulations (Annex V); quality control of goods to ensure that they correspond to the minimum international or national definitions of quality (Annex VI); rules of procedure of the Administrative Committee for the Harmonisation Convention concerning the amendment procedure for the convention (Annex VII); facilitating border crossing procedures for international road transport, including by granting visas to professional drivers, the speeding up of border crossing procedures for goods, particularly for urgent consignments, such as live animals and perishable goods and the technical control of road vehicles (introduced by Council Decision 2009/161/EC) (Annex VIII). Prohibitions or restrictions relating to importation, exportation, or transit remain applicable when they are imposed for reasons of public safety. Emergency measures may also be introduced if necessary. The convention does not preclude the right of regional economic integration organisations (such as the EU) to apply their own legislation at their internal frontiers. It enables preferences and financial facilities to be maintained, on condition that they do not reduce in any way the facilities deriving from this convention. Disputes between the parties are to be settled by negotiation or by voluntary recourse to arbitration. FROM WHEN DO THE REGULATION AND CONVENTION APPLY? The regulation has applied since 1 June 1984. The convention has applied since 12 September 1987. KEY TERMS Public safety: defending public safety implies defending the safety and security of the public, morality, health, the environment, cultural heritage and industrial, commercial and intellectual property. MAIN DOCUMENTS Council Regulation (EEC) No 1262/84 of 10 April 1984 concerning the conclusion of the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods (OJ L 126, 12.5.1984, pp. 1-2) International Convention on the harmonization of frontier controls of goods (OJ L 126, 12.5.1984, pp. 3-19) Amendment to the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods (Harmonization Convention), Geneva, 21 October 1982 (OJ L 317, 30.11.2011, pp. 13-15) RELATED DOCUMENTS Council Decision 2009/161/EC of 25 September 2008 approving on behalf of the Community Annex 8 to the International Convention on the Harmonisation of Frontier Controls of Goods (OJ L 55, 27.2.2009, pp. 21-39) Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules (OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, pp. 1-141). Text republished in corrigendum (OJ L 191, 28.5.2004, p. 1-52) Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only. last update 25.10.2018


16.7.1984 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 188/9 AGREEMENT for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances (Bonn Agreement) THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK, THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY, THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN, THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, RECOGNIZING that pollution of the sea by oil and other harmful substances in the North Sea area may threaten the marine environment and the interests of coastal States, NOTING that such pollution has many sources and that casualties and other incidents at sea are of great concern, CONVINCED that an ability to combat such pollution as well as active cooperation and mutual assistance among States are necessary for the protection of their coasts and related interests, WELCOMING the progress that has already been achieved within the framework of the Agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil, signed at Bonn on 9 June 1969, WISHING to develop further mutual assistance and cooperation in combating pollution, HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 This Agreement shall apply whenever the presence or the prospective presence of oil or other harmful substances polluting or threatening to pollute the sea within the North Sea area, as defined in Article 2 of this Agreement, presents a grave and imminent danger to the coast or related interests of one or more Contracting Parties. Article 2 For the purpose of this Agreement the North Sea area means the North Sea proper southwards of latitude 61oN, together with: (a) the Skagerrak, the southern limit of which is determined east of the Skaw by the latitude 57o44'00'',8N; (b) the English Channel and its approaches eastwards of a line drawn SO nautical miles to the west of a line joining the Scilly Isles and Ushant. Article 3 1. The Contracting Parties consider that protection against pollution of the kind referred to in Article 1 of this Agreement is a matter which calls for active cooperation between them. 2. The Contracting Parties shall jointly develop and establish guidelines for the practical, operational and technical aspects of joint action. Article 4 Contracting Parties undertake to inform the other Contracting Parties about: (a) their national organization for dealing with pollution of the kind referred to in Article 1 of this Agreement; (b) the competent authority responsible for receiving and dispatching reports of such pollution and for dealing with questions concerning measures of mutual assistance between Contracting Parties: (c) their national means for avoiding or dealing with such pollution, which might be made available for international assistance; (d) new ways in which such pollution may be avoided and about new effective measures to deal with it; (e) major pollution incidents of this kind dealt with. Article 5 1. Whenever a Contracting Party is aware of a casualty or the presence of oil or other harmful substances in the North Sea area likely to constitute a serious threat to the coast or related interests of any other Contracting Party, it shall inform that Party without delay through its competent authority. 2. The Contracting Parties undertake to request the masters of all ships flying their flags and pilots of aircraft registered in their countries to report without delay through the channels which may be most practicable and adequate in the circumstances: (a) all casualties causing or likely to cause pollution of the sea; (b) the presence, nature and extent of oil or other harmful substances likely to constitute a serious threat to the coast or relating interests of one or more Contracting Parties. 3. The Contracting Parties shall establish a standard form for the reporting of pollution as required under paragraph 1 of this Article. Article 6 1. For the sole purpose of this Agreement the North Sea area is divided into the zones described in the Annex to this Agreement. 2. The Contracting Party within whose zone a situation of the kind described in Article 1 of this Agreement occurs, shall make the necessary assessments of the nature and extent of any casualty or, as the case may be, of the type and approximate quantity of oil or other harmful substances and the direction and speed of movement thereof. 3. The Contracting Party concerned shall immediately inform all the other Contracting Parties through their competent authorities of its assessments and of any action which it has taken to deal with the oil or other harmful substances and shall keep these substances under observation as long as they are present in its zone. 4. The obligations of the Contracting Parties under the provisions of this Article with respect to the zones of joint responsibility shall be the subject of special technical arrangements to be concluded between the Parties concerned. These arrangements shall be communicated to the other Contracting Parties. Article 7 A Contracting Party requiring assistance to deal with pollution or the prospective presence of pollution at sea or on its coast may call on the help of the other Contracting Parties. Contracting Parties requesting assistance shall specify the kind of assistance they require. The Contracting Parties called upon for help in accordance with this Article shall use their best endeavours to bring such assistance as is within their power taking into account, particularly in the case of pollution by harmful substances other than oil, the technological means available to them. Article 8 1. The provisions of this Agreement shall not be interpreted as in any way prejudicing the rights and obligations of the Contracting Parties under international law, especially in the field of the prevention and combating of marine pollution. 2. In no case shall the division into zones referred to in Article 6 of this Agreement be invoked as a precedent or argument in any matter concerning sovereignty or jurisdiction. Article 9 1. In the absence of an agreement concerning the financial arrangements governing actions of Contracting Parties to deal with pollution which might be concluded on a bilateral or multilateral basis or on the occasion of a joint combating operation, Contracting Parties shall bear the costs of their respective actions in dealing with pollution in accordance with subparagraphs (a) or (b) below: (a) if the action was taken by one Contracting Party at the express request of another Contracting Party, the Contracting Party requesting such assistance shall reimburse to the assisting Contracting Party the costs of its action; (b) if the action was taken by a Contracting Party on its own initiative, this Contracting Party shall bear the costs of its action. 2. The Contracting Party requesting assistance may cancel its request at any time, but in that case it shall bear the costs already incurred or committed by the assisting Contracting Party. Article 10 Unless otherwise agreed the costs of action taken by a Contracting Party at the request of another Contracting Party shall be calculated according to the law and current practice in the assisting country concerning the reimbursement of such costs by a person or entity liable. Article 11 Article 9 of this Agreement shall not be interpreted as in any way prejudicing the rights of Contracting Parties to recover from third parties the costs of action to deal with pollution or the threat of pollution under other applicable provisions and rules of national and international law. Article 12 1. Meetings of the Contracting Parties shall be held at regular intervals and at any time when, due to special circumstances, it is so decided in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. 2. The Contracting Parties at their first meeting shall draw up Rules of Procedure and Financial Rules, which shall be adopted by unanimous vote. 3. The Depositary Government shall convene the first meeting of Contracting Parties as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Agreement. Article 13 Within the areas of its competence, the European Economic Community is entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of its Member States which are Contracting Parties to the present Agreement. The European Economic Community shall not exercise its right to vote in cases where its Member States exercise theirs and conversely. Article 14 It shall be the duty of meetings of the Contracting Parties: (a) to exercise overall supervision over the implementation of this Agreement; (b) to review the effectiveness of the measures taken under this Agreement; (c) to carry out such other functions as may be necessary under the terms of this Agreement. Article 15 1. The Contracting Parties shall make provision for the performance of secretariat duties in relation to this Agreement, taking into account existing arrangements in the framework of other international agreements on the prevention of marine pollution in force for the same region as this Agreement. 2. Each Contracting Party shall contribute 2,5% towards the annual expenditure of the Agreement. The ballance of the Agreement's expenditure shall be divided among Contracting Parties other than the European Economic Community in proportion to their gross national product in accordance with the scale of assessment adopted regularly by the United Nations General Assembly. In no case shall the contribution of a Contracting Party to this balance exceed 20 % of the balance. Article 16 1. Without prejudice to Article 17 of this Agreement, a proposal by a Contracting Party for the amendment of this Agreement or its Annex shall be considered at a meeting of the Contracting Parties. Following adoption of the proposal by unanimous vote the amendment shall be communicated by the Depositary Government to the Contracting Parties. 2. Such an amendment shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Depositary Government has received notifications of approval from all Contracting Parties. Article 17 1. Two or more Contracting Parties may modify the common boundaries of their zones described in the Annex to this Agreement. 2. Such a modification shall enter into force for all Contracting Parties on the first day of the sixth month following the date of its communication by the Depositary Government unless, within a period of three months following that communication, a Contracting Party has expressed an objection or has requested consultation on the matter. Article 18 1. This Agreement shall be open for signature by the Governments of the States invited to participate in the Conference on the Agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances, held at Bonn on 13 September 1983, and by the European Economic Community. 2. These States and the European Economic Community may become Parties to this Agreement either by signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval or by signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval followed by ratification, acceptance or approval. 3. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. Article 19 1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the frist day of the second month following the date on which the Governments of all the States mentioned in Article 18 of this Agreement and the European Economic Community have signed the Agreement without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval. 2. Upon the entry into force of this Agreement the Agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil, done at Bonn on 9 June 1969, shall cease to be in force. Article 20 1. The Contracting Parties may unanimously invite any other coastal State of the north-east Atlantic area to accede to this Agreement. 2. In such a case Article 2 of this Agreement and its Annex shall be amended as necessary. The amendments shall be adopted by unanimous vote at a meeting of the Contracting Parties and shall take effect upon the entry into force of this Agreement for the acceding State. Article 21 1. For each State acceding to this Agreement, the Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of deposit by such State of its instrument of accession. 2. Instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. Article 22 1. After this Agreement has been in force for five years it may be denounced by any Contracting Party. 2. Denunciation shall be effected by a notification in writing addressed to the Depositary Government which shall notify all the other Contracting Parties of any denunciation received and of the date of its receipt. 3. A denunciation shall take effect one year after its receipt by the Depositary Government. Article 23 The Depositary Government shall inform the Contracting Parties and those referred to in Article 18 of this Agreement of: (a) any signature of this Agreement; (b) the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession and of the receipt of any notice of denunciation; (c) the date of entry into force of this Agreement; (d) the receipt of any notification of approval relating to amendments to this Agreement or its Annex and of the date of entry into force of such amendments. Article 24 The original of this Agreement, of which the English, French and German texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, which shall send certified copies thereof to the Contracting Parties and which shall transmit a certified copy to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for registration and publication in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized there to by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement. Done at Bonn, this 13th day of September 1983. FÜR DIE REGIERUNG DES KÖNIGREICHS BELGIEN, FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, POUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DU ROYAUME DE BELGIQUE: Vorbehaltlich der Ratifikation, Subject to ratification, Sous réserve de ratification. FÜR DIE REGIERUNG DES KÖNIGREICHS DÄNEMARK, FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK, POUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DU ROYAUME DE DANEMARK: Vorbehaltlich der Genehmigung, Subject to approval, Sous réserve d'approbation. FÜR DIE REGIERUNG DER FRANZÖSISCHEN REPUBLIK, FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, POUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE: FÜR DIE REGIERUNG DER BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND, FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, POUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE: FÜR DIE REGIERUNG DES KÖNIGREICHS DER NIEDERLANDE, FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, POUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DU ROYAUME DES PAYS-BAS: Vorbehaltlich der Annahme, Subject to acceptance, Sous réserve d'acceptation. FÜR DIE REGIERUNG DES KÖNIGREICHS NORWEGEN, FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY, POUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DU ROYAUME DE NORVÈGE: Vorbehaltlich der Ratifikation, Subject to ratification, Sous réserve de ratification. FÜR DIE REGIERUNG DES KÖNIGREICHS SCHWEDEN, FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN, POUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DU ROYAUME DE SUÈDE: FÜR DIE REGIERUNG DES VEREINIGTEN KÖNIGREICHS GROSSBRITANNIEN UND NORDIRLAND, FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, POUR LE GOUVERNEMENT DU ROYAUME-UNI DE GRANDE-BRETAGNE ET D'IRLANDE DU NORD: Vorbehaltlich der Ratifikation, Subject to ratification, Sous réserve de ratification. FÜR DIE EUROPÄISCHE WIRTSCHAFTSGEMEINSCHAFT FOR THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, POUR LA COMMUNAUTÉ ÉCONOMIQUE EUROPÉENNE: Vorbehaltlich der Annahme, Subject to acceptance, Sous réserve d'acceptation. ANNEX Description of the zones referred to in Article 6 of this Agreement The zones, with the exception of the zones of joint responsibility, are limited by lines joining the following points: Denmark 55o03'00'',0 N 8o22'00'',0 E 55o10'00'',0 N 7o30'00'',0 E 55o10'00'',0 N 2o13'30'',0 E 57o00'00'',0 N lo30'00'',0 E 57o00'00'',0 N 2o25'04'',6 E 56o35'42'',0 N 2o36'48'',0 E 56o05'12'',0 N 3o15'00'',0 E 56o35'30'',0 N 5o02'00'',0 E 57o10'30'',0 N 6o56'12'',0 E 57o29'54'',0 N 7o59'00'',0 E 57o37'06'',0 N 8o27'30'',0 E 57o4l'48'',0 N 8o53'18'',0 E 57o59'18'',0 N 9o23'00'',0 E 58o15'41'',2 N 10o01'48'',1 E 58o10'00'',0 N 10o00'00'',0 E 57o48'00'',0 N 10o57'00'',0 E 57o44'48'',0 N 10o38'00'',0 E Federal Republic of Germany 53o34'N 6o38'E 54o00'N 5o30'E 54o00'N 2o 39',1E 55o10'N 2o13',5E 55o10'N 7o30'E 55o03'N 8o22'E Netherlands 51o32'N 3o18'E 5lo32'N 2o06'E 52o30'N 3o10'E 54o00'N 2o39',1E 54o00'N 5o30'E 53o34'N 6o38'E Norway 61o00'00'',0 N 4o30'00'',0 E 61o00'00'',0 N 2o00'00'',0 E 57o00'00'',0 N 1o30'00'',0 E 57o00'00'',0 N 2o25'04'',6 E 56o35'42'',0 N 2o36'48'',0 E 56o05'12'',0 N 3o15'00'',0 E 56o35'30'',0 N 5o02'00'',0 E 57o10'30'',0 N 6o56'12'',0 E 57o29'54'',0 N 7o59'00'',0 E 57o37'06'',0 N 8o27'30'',0 E 57o41'48'',0 N 8o53'18'',0 E 57o59'18'',0 N 9o23'00'',0 E 58o15'41'',2 N 10o0l'48'',1 E 58o10'00'',0 N 10o00'00'',0 E 58o53'34'',0 N 10o38'25'',0 E To be continued along the Norwegian-Swedish border Sweden 57o54'N 11o28'E 57o48'N 10o57'E 58o10'N 10o00'E 58o53'34'',0 N 10o38'25'',0E To be continued along the Norwegian-Swedish border United Kingdom 61o00'N 0o50'0 61o00'N 2o00'E 57o00'N 1o30'E 52o30'N 3o10'E 51o32'N 2o06'E The zones of joint responsibility are as follows: 1. Belgium, France and United Kingdom Sea area between parallels 51o32'N and 51o06'N. 2. France and United Kingdom The English Channel south-west of parallel 51o06'N to in line drawn between the points 49o52'N 07o44'W and 48o27'N 06o25'W. 3. Denmark and Sweden Sea area between the lines in Skagerrak joining the points: 57o54'N 11o28'E 57o44',8N 10o38'E 57o44',8N 11o28'E

Summary: Bonn Agreement — dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances, including air pollution caused by shipping Bonn Agreement — dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances, including air pollution caused by shipping SUMMARY OF: Agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances (Bonn Agreement) Decision 84/358/EEC — conclusion of the Bonn Agreement Decision (EU) 2021/176 — conclusion of the amendments to the Bonn Agreement with regard to the extension of its scope of application and on Spain’s accession to the agreement WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISIONS? The agreement sets up a system of cooperation among its contracting parties to deal with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances. Decision 84/358/EEC concludes the agreement on behalf of the European Economic Community (now the EU). In 2019 contracting parties agreed to the accession of Spain and to extend the scope of the agreement to air pollution from ships as regulated under Annex VI to the International Maritime Organisation’s International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention). Decision (EU) 2021/176 marks the conclusion by the EU concerning the extension of the agreement’s scope and Spain’s accession. KEY POINTS Contracting parties The contracting parties to the Bonn Agreement, as most recently amended in 2021, are the governments of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union. Sea areas covered by the agreement The agreement concerns the greater North Sea and its wider approaches – one of the busiest sea areas in the world. Since Spain’s accession to the agreement, it covers: the North Sea proper, southwards of latitude 61° 0'00.00" N; the Skagerrak, the southern limit of which is determined east of the Skaw by the latitude 57° 44'43.00" N; the Bay of Biscay, bounded on the south and west by the line defined in Part I of the annex to the agreement; other waters, comprising the Irish Sea, the Celtic Sea, the Malin Sea, the Great Minch, the Little Minch, part of the Norwegian Sea, and parts of the north-east Atlantic, bounded on the west and north by the line defined in Part II of the annex to the agreement. Scope of application Building on an earlier agreement signed in 1969 which covered pollution from spills of crude oil, the 1984 Bonn Agreement also covered spills of other harmful substances polluting or threatening to pollute the sea in the North Sea area. In 2019, the contracting parties decided to amend the agreement to cover cooperation on surveillance in respect of the requirements of Annex VI to the MARPOL Convention . Annex VI introduces stricter sulphur limits for marine fuel in sulphur oxide emission control areas (which includes the North Sea). Directive (EU) 2016/802 on reducing the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels incorporates the main changes in international law on preventing air pollution from ships into EU law (see summary). Areas of work The contracting parties agree: to cooperate actively among themselves; to jointly develop and set guidelines for the practical, operational and technical aspects of joint action; to share information about the national organisation which deals with the type of pollution covered by the agreement;the competent authority responsible for receiving and dispatching reports of such pollution and for dealing with questions concerning measures of mutual assistance;their national means for avoiding or dealing with such pollution, which they could make available for international assistance;new ways in which such pollution may be avoided and about new effective measures to deal with it;major pollution incidents of this kind which they have dealt with. Reporting of incidents and mutual assistance The contracting parties agree to notify each other of any casualty or of the presence of oil or other harmful substances present in the North Sea which are likely to constitute a serious threat to the coast or other related interest of any other contracting party. Together, they have developed a standard notification format for reporting pollution incidents. A party facing a pollution incident may request assistance from the other parties. As a general rule, the requesting contracting party reimburses the parties that come to its assistance for costs of any action taken. Implementation The contracting parties implement the agreement by: keeping their zones of responsibility under surveillance for threats of marine pollution, including coordinating aerial and satellite surveillance; alerting each other to any threats; adopting common operational approaches so that they can rely on each other to achieve the necessary standards of prevention and clean-up; supporting each other (when requested) in response operations; sharing research and development; carrying out joint exercises. Budget and secretariat Each contracting party contributes 2.5% towards the agreement’s annual expenditure and the balance of the expenditure is shared among contracting parties (other than the EU) in proportion to their gross national product. The agreement’s secretariat is based in London. DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE The 1984 Bonn agreement entered into force on 28 June 1984. BACKGROUND For more information, see: About the Bonn Agreement (Bonn Agreement website). MAIN DOCUMENTS Agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances (Bonn Agreement) (OJ L 188, 16.7.1984, pp. 9-16) Council Decision 84/358/EEC of 28 June 1984 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances (OJ L 188, 16.7.1984, pp. 7-8) Council Decision (EU) 2021/176 of 5 February 2021 on the conclusion of the amendments to the Agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances (Bonn Agreement) with regard to the extension of the scope of application of that Agreement and on the accession of the Kingdom of Spain to that Agreement (OJ L 54, 16.2.2021, pp. 1-2) RELATED DOCUMENTS Directive (EU) 2016/802 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels (OJ L 132, 21.5.2016, pp. 58-78) last update 26.04.2021


EUR-Lex - 31983L0129 - EN Avis juridique important | 31983L0129 Council Directive 83/129/EEC of 28 March 1983 concerning the importation into Member States of skins of certain seal pups and products derived therefrom Official Journal L 091 , 09/04/1983 P. 0030 - 0031 Finnish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 4 P. 0121 Spanish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 4 P. 0122 Swedish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 4 P. 0121 Portuguese special edition Chapter 15 Volume 4 P. 0122 *****COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 28 March 1983 concerning the importation into Member States of skins of certain seal pups and products derived therefrom (83/129/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), Whereas the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Community trade in seal products, and in particular in products derived from the pups of harp and hooded seals; Whereas, in several Member States, voluntary or statutory measures already exist to restrict the importation or marketing of the skins of whitecoat pups of harp seals and of pups of hooded seals (blue-backs); whereas one Member State already requires the marking of all seal products; Whereas various studies have raised doubts concerning the population status of the harp and hooded seals and especially as to the effect of non-traditional hunting on the conservation and population status of hooded seals; Whereas the exploitation of seals and of other species, depending upon their capacity to withstand such exploitation and with due respect for the balance of nature, is a natural and legitimate occupation and in certain areas of the world forms an important part of the traditional way of life and economy; whereas hunting, as traditionally practised by the Inuit people, leaves seal pups unharmed and it is therefore appropriate to see that the interests of the Inuit people are not affected; Whereas further investigation into the scientific aspects and consequences of the culling of pups of harp and hooded seals is desirable; whereas, pending the results of such investigation, temporary measures in accordance with the resolution of the Council and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States of 5 January 1983 (3) should be taken or maintained; Whereas it has been noted that the hunt of seal pups has already been limited to some extent; whereas the Council has requested the Commission to continue to seek, in the context of continued contacts with the countries concerned, solutions which make restrictions of imports dispensable; Whereas the Council will reconsider the situation on the basis of a report to be presented by the Commission before 1 September 1983, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 1. Member States shall take or maintain all necessary measures to ensure that the products listed in the Annex are not commercially imported into their territories. 2. Member States shall forthwith inform the Commission of such measures. Article 2 This Directive shall apply from 1 October 1983 to 1 October 1985, unless the Council decides otherwise, by a decision taken by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, having regard to a report to be presented to the Council by the Commission before 1 September 1983. Article 3 This Directive shall only apply to products not resulting from traditional hunting by the Inuit people. Article 4 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 28 March 1983. For the Council The President J. ERTL (1) OJ No C 334, 20. 12. 1982, p. 132. (2) OJ No C 346, 31. 12. 1982, p. 1. (3) OJ No C 14, 18. 1. 1983, p. 1. ANNEX 1.2.3 // // // // No // CCT heading No // Description // // // // 1 // ex 43.01 ex 43.02 A // Raw furskins and furskins, tanned or dressed, including furskins assembled in plates, crosses and similar forms: // // // - of whitecoat pups of harp seals, // // // - of pups of hooded seals (blue-backs) // 2 // ex 43.03 // Articles of the furskins referred to in 1 // // //

Summary: Protection of certain seal species Protection of certain seal species This Directive lays down measures aiming to protect certain seal species by introducing legislation on a Community level to protect seal pups against non-traditional hunting. ACT Council Directive 83/129/EEC of 28 March 1983 concerning the importation into Member States of skins of certain seal pups and products derived therefrom [See amending acts]. SUMMARY The importation for commercial purposes of certain products of whitecoat pups or harp seals and of pups of hooded seals, or blue backs, is prohibited throughout the Community. The targets are: raw furskins and furskins, tanned or dressed, including furskins assembled in plates, crosses, bags, square and similar forms; articles of these furskins. This Directive does not apply to products resulting from traditional hunting by the Inuit people. References Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal Directive 83/129/EEC 01.10.1983 - OJ L 91 of 09.04.1983 Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal Directive 89/370/EEC 15.06.1989 - OJ L 163 of 14.06.1989 RELATED ACTS Council Regulation EC 338/97 of 9.12.96 on trade in wild fauna and flora (EC) No 61/97 [Official Journal L 61 of 3 March 1997]. To conserve endangered species of wild fauna and flora, this Regulation controls trade in such species by imposing conditions on the importation, exportation or re-exportation thereof and on their movement within the European Union, in accordance with the CITES Convention. Last updated: 01.09.2006