3.3.2021 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 73/1 REGULATION (EU) 2021/378 OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK of 22 January 2021 on the application of minimum reserve requirements (recast) (ECB/2021/1) THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular to Article 19(1) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the application of minimum reserves by the European Central Bank (1), Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2532/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the powers of the European Central Bank to impose sanctions (2), Whereas: (1) Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2003/9) (3) has been substantially amended several times. Since further amendments are to be made, that Regulation should be recast in the interests of clarity. (2) Under Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 2531/98, the European Central Bank (ECB) has the right to collect from institutions the information necessary for the application of minimum reserve requirements, and to verify the accuracy and quality of the information which institutions provide to demonstrate compliance with those requirements. In order to reduce the overall reporting burden, it is appropriate that the statistical information regarding the monthly balance sheet collected pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2021/379 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2021/2) (4) be used for the regular calculation of the reserve base of credit institutions. (3) Increased transparency and clarity on a number of issues relating to the application of minimum reserve requirements is necessary, in particular with regard to: (a) the conditions relating to the application of minimum reserve requirements to institutions; (b) the fact that national central banks (NCBs) of the Member States whose currency is the euro (euro area NCBs) may decide to suspend or exclude access of institutions to Eurosystem’s open market operations and standing facilities (Eurosystem monetary policy operations); (c) the conditions by which funds should be counted as reserves for the purpose of fulfilling minimum reserve requirements; (d) the requirements for applications for permission to hold minimum reserve indirectly through an intermediary institution; and (e) the conditions for the withdrawal of permission to hold minimum reserves indirectly through an intermediary institution. (4) In order for the Eurosystem’s minimum reserve requirements system to be effective, it is also necessary to further specify minimum reserve requirements as regards the calculation, notification, acknowledgement and maintenance of minimum reserves, as well as reporting and verification. (5) It is appropriate that the information reported by intermediaries on the reserve base be sufficiently detailed to allow for accurate reporting under Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2). In addition, where the parent institution is granted permission to report the reserve base on an aggregated basis pursuant to this Regulation, it is appropriate that it reports the reserve base data on an aggregated basis to the relevant NCB in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2). (6) In order to ensure an appropriate balance between ensuring the accuracy of data on minimum reserves and the smooth application of the regulatory framework, and in order to avoid having to re-issue valid and applicable permissions, any intermediaries that have been granted permission to report the reserve base on an aggregated basis under Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 (ECB/2003/9) should be able to continue such reporting without having to apply for a new permission. (7) In accordance with Article 19(1) of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, the ECB may require credit institutions established in Member States whose currency is the euro (euro area Member States) to hold minimum reserves on accounts with the ECB and euro area NCBs. Since credit institutions hold accounts with the NCB in their respective jurisdiction, it is appropriate that such reserves should be held solely on accounts with NCBs. (8) Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 and Regulation (EC) No 2532/98 establish the ECB’s power to impose sanctions for infringement of statistical reporting requirements including for non-compliance with the minimum reserve requirements laid down in this Regulation. (9) In order to ensure legal certainty, it is necessary that the provisions of this Regulation, which are aligned with the amendment to the definition of ‘credit institutions’ in Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council (5) (pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2033 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6)), apply at the same time as that amendment on 26 June 2021. However, for operational reasons, it is necessary to provide that the provisions on reserve holdings apply from 28 July 2021, the first day of the fifth maintenance period in 2021, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Subject matter and scope This Regulation establishes the minimum reserve requirements for the following institutions: (a) credit institutions which are either: (i) authorised in accordance with Article 8 of Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (7); or (ii) exempt from such authorisation pursuant to Article 2(5) of Directive 2013/36/EU; (b) branches of credit institutions, including branches established in Member States whose currency is the euro (euro area Member State) of credit institutions with neither their registered office nor their head office located in a euro area Member State; but excluding branches established outside of a euro area Member State of credit institutions which are established in a euro area Member State. Article 2 Definitions For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: (1) ‘minimum reserves’ means the amount of funds that an institution is required to hold as reserves in its reserve accounts with the relevant national central bank; (2) ‘minimum reserve requirements’ means all the requirements that institutions are required to comply with pursuant to this Regulation in relation to minimum reserves as regards the calculation, notification, acknowledgement, and maintenance of minimum reserves, and reporting and verification; (3) ‘euro area Member State’ means a Member State whose currency is the euro; (4) ‘credit institution’ means ‘credit institution’ as defined in Article 4(1)(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013; (5) ‘branch’ means ‘branch’ as defined in Article 4(1)(17) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013; (6) ‘relevant NCB’ means the national central bank (NCB) of the euro area Member State in which the institution is resident; (7) ‘reserve accounts’ means the accounts in which an institution holds its reserves with the relevant NCB; (8) ‘reserve base’ means the sum of the eligible liabilities used for calculating the minimum reserves of an institution; (9) ‘reserve ratio’ means the percentage applied to items of the reserve base for calculating an institution’s minimum reserves; (10) ‘maintenance period’ means the period over which compliance with minimum reserve requirements is assessed; (11) ‘end-of-day balance’ means the reserve holdings at the time when the finalisation of payment activities has taken place and entries relating to access to the standing facilities of the Eurosystem have been made; (12) ‘NCB business day’ means any day on which a particular NCB is open for the purpose of conducting Eurosystem monetary policy operations; (13) ‘TARGET2 business day’ means any day on which TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payment orders as defined in Guideline ECB/2012/27 of the European Central Bank (8); (14) ‘resident’ means any natural or legal person residing in any of the euro area Member States within the meaning of Article 1(4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2533/98 (9); (15) ‘merger’ means an operation whereby one or more credit institutions (the acquired institutions), on being dissolved without going into liquidation, transfer all their assets and liabilities to another credit institution (the acquiring institution), which may be a newly established credit institution; (16) ‘division’ means an operation whereby one credit institution (the institution being divided), on being dissolved without going into liquidation, transfers all its assets and liabilities to more than one institution (the recipient institutions), which may be newly established credit institutions. Article 3 Reserve holdings 1. Institutions referred to in Article 1 shall hold minimum reserves, calculated in accordance with Article 6, as follows: (a) the average end-of-day balance on one or more reserve accounts over the maintenance period shall be equal to or shall exceed the amount calculated for that period in accordance with Article 6; (b) minimum reserves shall be held on reserve accounts, denominated in euro, with the relevant NCBs in each euro area Member State in which they are established; (c) settlement accounts with the NCBs may be used as reserve accounts for the purposes of this Regulation; (d) funds subject to any legal, contractual, regulatory or other restriction that would prevent the institution from liquidating, transferring, assigning or disposing of such funds during the relevant maintenance period shall be excluded from the reserve holdings. For the purposes of point (d), institutions shall notify the relevant NCB of any restrictions referred to therein without undue delay. 2. Where an institution has several branches in the same euro area Member State, the following shall apply: (a) the registered office or head office, if located in that Member State, shall fulfil the minimum reserve requirements set out in this Article for those branches in that Member State; (b) that institution shall designate one of its branches in the same Member State for the purposes of fulfilling the minimum reserve requirements in this Article where it has neither a registered office nor a head office in that Member State; (c) the relevant NCB shall use all end-of-day balances in the reserve accounts of the branches of that institution in the same Member State to assess whether paragraph 1(a) of this Article is fulfilled. 3. The European Central Bank (ECB) shall publish the following lists of institutions on its website: (a) institutions subject to minimum reserve requirements pursuant to this Regulation; (b) institutions exempted from minimum reserve requirements pursuant to Article 4, excluding those institutions referred to in points (a) to (c) of Article 4(2). Article 4 Exemptions from minimum reserve requirements 1. Institutions shall be exempt from the minimum reserve requirements in Article 3 where either of the following apply: (a) an authorisation referred to in Article 1(a)(i) is withdrawn or renounced; or (b) an institution is subject to winding-up proceedings pursuant to Directive 2001/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (10). 2. The ECB may grant exemptions from the minimum reserve requirements in Article 3, upon request by the relevant NCB, where any of the following apply: (a) an institution is subject to a reorganisation measure pursuant to Directive 2001/24/EC; (b) an institution is subject to a freezing order imposed by the Union or by a Member State, or is subject to measures imposed by the Union pursuant to Article 75 of the Treaty, which restricts the institution’s ability to use its funds; (c) that institution’s access to the Eurosystem’s open market operations or standing facilities has been suspended or excluded by the ECB and NCBs (Eurosystem) pursuant to Guideline (EU) 2015/510 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2014/60) (11); (d) it is not appropriate to require minimum reserves from that institution. For the purposes of point (c) of the first subparagraph, where an institution’s access to the Eurosystem’s open market operations or standing facilities is restored by the Governing Council of the ECB pursuant to Article 158 of Guideline (EU) 2015/510 (ECB/2014/60), the exemption shall no longer apply from the start of the next maintenance period. 3. For the purposes of granting exemptions in accordance with paragraph 2(d), the relevant NCBs and the ECB shall take all of the following into account: (a) whether that institution is authorised to pursue special-purpose functions only; (b) whether that institution is prohibited from exercising active banking functions in competition with other credit institutions; (c) whether that institution is under a legal obligation to have all its deposits earmarked for purposes relating to regional and/or international development assistance. For the purposes of point (a), an institution is authorised to pursue special-purpose functions only where it exercises specific public administration tasks or the institution is forbidden by law or statute to undertake the business of credit institutions. 4. The exemptions referred to in this Article shall apply from the start of the maintenance period in which the relevant event occurs. Article 5 Reserve base 1. Institutions shall calculate their reserve base using the statistical information on the following liabilities reported pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2): (a) deposits; (b) debt securities issued. Where an institution holds liabilities owed to a branch of the same entity located outside the euro area, or to the head office or registered office of the same entity which is located outside the euro area, those liabilities shall be included in the reserve base. 2. The following liabilities shall be excluded from the reserve base calculated pursuant to paragraph 1: (a) liabilities owed to any other institution where that institution: (i) is subject to minimum reserve requirements pursuant to this Regulation; and (ii) is not exempt or has not been granted an exemption from minimum reserve requirements pursuant to Article 4; (b) liabilities owed to the ECB or to an NCB of a euro area Member State. 3. Where liabilities are excluded from the reserve base in accordance with paragraph 2, the institution shall: (a) inform the relevant NCB of the excluded amount without undue delay; (b) provide evidence of those liabilities; (c) deduct the amount of those liabilities from the reserve base after providing evidence of the amount to the relevant NCB in accordance with point (b). For the purposes of point (b), where an institution is unable to provide evidence to the relevant NCB of the amount of liabilities within the category of ‘debt securities issued’, that institution shall apply the standard deduction published on the ECB’s website to the outstanding amount of the debt securities which it has issued and which have an original maturity of up to and including two years. 4. The ECB, when determining the standard deduction applied to liabilities within the debt securities category with a maturity of up to two years referred to in paragraph 3, shall take into account the euro area-wide macro ratio between the stock of relevant instruments issued by credit institutions and held by other credit institutions and by the ECB and relevant NCBs and the total amount outstanding of such instruments issued by credit institutions. 5. Institutions shall calculate their reserve base with respect to a particular maintenance period on the basis of the data relating to the month two months prior to the month within which the maintenance period starts. 6. Tail institutions, as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2), shall calculate their reserve base for two consecutive maintenance periods beginning with the maintenance period starting in the third month after the end of a quarter, on the basis of end-of-quarter data reported in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2). Those institutions shall notify the relevant NCB of their minimum reserves in accordance with Article 7. Article 6 Calculation of minimum reserves 1. Minimum reserves held by institutions pursuant to Article 3 shall be calculated using the following reserve ratios for each of the liabilities of the reserve base referred to in Article 5: (a) a reserve ratio of 0 % shall apply to the following categories referred to in Part 2 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2): (i) deposits which fulfil one of the following conditions: — have an agreed maturity over two years; — are redeemable at notice over two years; — are repurchase agreements (repos); (ii) debt securities issued with an original maturity over two years; (b) a reserve ratio of 1 % on all other liabilities included in the reserve base. 2. NCBs or the institution shall deduct a lump sum allowance of EUR 100 000 from the calculation of minimum reserves of each institution, subject to the requirements of Articles 10 to 12. 3. NCBs shall use the minimum reserves calculated in accordance with Article 6 for the following: (a) to remunerate holdings of minimum reserves; (b) to assess whether Article 3(1)(a) is fulfilled. Article 7 Notification of minimum reserves 1. NCBs shall establish the procedure for notifying institutions’ individual minimum reserves. That procedure shall include whether the relevant NCB or the institution calculates the minimum reserves in accordance with Article 6. 2. Where the relevant NCB calculates an institution’s minimum reserves pursuant to paragraph 1, all of the following shall apply: (a) the relevant NCB shall notify that institution of its minimum reserves at the latest three NCB business days before the start of the maintenance period; (b) that institution shall acknowledge its minimum reserves at the latest on the NCB business day preceding the start of the maintenance period; (c) where the institution does not reply to the notification referred to in point (a) by the end of the NCB business day preceding the start of the maintenance period, the acknowledgement referred to in point (b) shall be deemed to have taken place and the minimum reserves notified shall apply to that institution for that maintenance period. 3. Where an institution calculates its minimum reserves pursuant to paragraph 1, all of the following shall apply: (a) that institution shall notify the relevant NCB of its minimum reserves at the latest three NCB business days before the start of the maintenance period; (b) the relevant NCB shall acknowledge that institution’s minimum reserves at the latest on the NCB business day preceding the start of the maintenance period; (c) if the relevant NCB does not reply to the notification referred to in point (a) by the end of the NCB business day preceding the start of the maintenance period, the acknowledgement referred to in point (b) shall be deemed to have taken place and the minimum reserves notified shall apply to that institution for that maintenance period. 4. For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3, the relevant NCB may specify an earlier date for the notification of the minimum reserves. 5. NCBs may specify the conditions and time limits within which institutions may revise the reserve base and the minimum reserves notified in accordance with this Article. No revisions shall be permitted after the acknowledgement of minimum reserves referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3. 6. The relevant NCBs shall make available calendars indicating the time limits for the notification and acknowledgement of data relevant to the calculation of minimum reserves for the implementation of the procedures mentioned in this Article. 7. Where an institution has failed to report the statistical information specified in Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2), the relevant NCB shall estimate the minimum reserves of that institution for the relevant maintenance period on the basis of historical information reported by the institution and any other relevant information, and shall notify the institution of its minimum reserves at least three NCB business days before the start of that maintenance period. Article 8 Maintenance period 1. A maintenance period shall begin on the settlement day of the main refinancing operation following the meeting of the Governing Council at which the assessment of the monetary policy stance is pre-scheduled and shall end the day before the start of the following maintenance period, unless otherwise specified by the Governing Council. 2. The Executive Board of the ECB shall publish a calendar of maintenance periods on the website of the ECB. NCBs shall also publish that calendar on their respective websites. That calendar shall be published by the ECB and the NCBs at least three months before the start of each calendar year. 3. The Governing Council may modify the calendar referred to in paragraph 2. That modified calendar shall be published on the websites of the ECB and of the NCBs before the maintenance period to which the modification relates. Article 9 Remuneration 1. The relevant NCB shall remunerate holdings of minimum reserves in the reserve accounts at the average, taken over the maintenance period, of the rate (weighted according to the number of calendar days) for the main refinancing operations of the Eurosystem according to the following formula (whereby the result is rounded to the nearest cent): Where: Rt = remuneration to be paid on holdings of minimum reserves for the maintenance period t; Ht = average daily holdings of minimum reserves for the maintenance period t; nt = number of calendar days in the maintenance period t; rt = rate of remuneration on holdings of minimum reserves for the maintenance period t; standard rounding of the rate of remuneration to two decimals shall be applied; i = ith calendar day of the maintenance period t; MRi = marginal interest rate for the most recent main refinancing operation settled on or before calendar day i. 2. The relevant NCB shall pay the remuneration on the holdings of minimum reserves on the second TARGET2 business day following the end of the maintenance period over which the remuneration was earned. Article 10 Indirect holding of minimum reserves through an intermediary 1. An institution may apply to the relevant NCB for permission to hold all its minimum reserves indirectly through an intermediary institution where that intermediary institution: (a) is resident in the same Member State; (b) is subject to minimum reserve requirements; (c) normally carries out certain administrative tasks (e.g. treasury management) for that institution, beyond the holding of minimum reserves. 2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, where an institution applies for permission to hold all its minimum reserves indirectly through an intermediary institution, it shall conclude an agreement with that intermediary institution to that effect. That agreement shall specify at least the following: (a) whether the applicant wishes to access Eurosystem standing facilities and open market operations; (b) a notice period of at least 12 months, without prejudice to the provisions in Article 10(7)(b). Where an institution gives notice as referred to in point (b), it shall inform the relevant NCB thereof without undue delay. 3. Where the parent of a group consolidates in its statistical reporting the business of subsidiaries which are resident in the same Member State in accordance with Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2), that parent may apply to the relevant NCB for permission to hold the minimum reserves of the group as an intermediary. 4. Where a parent applies for permission to hold the minimum reserves of the group as an intermediary pursuant to paragraph 3, that parent shall conclude an agreement with each institution in that group to act as an intermediary. Those agreements shall specify at least the following: (a) whether the parent or subsidiaries will access Eurosystem standing facilities and open market operations; (b) a notice period of at least 12 months. 5. The relevant NCB may grant permission to the applicant institution to hold minimum reserves through an intermediary and shall notify that institution and the intermediary institution thereof without undue delay. That permission shall take effect from the start of the first maintenance period following the date permission is granted, and shall apply for the duration of the agreement referred to in paragraph 2 or 4, or until the permission is withdrawn pursuant to paragraphs 7 and 8. A permission granted to an institution to hold minimum reserves through an intermediary pursuant to Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 (ECB/2003/9) shall be deemed to be granted in accordance with this paragraph for the purposes of this Regulation. 6. Where an intermediary institution holds minimum reserves for another institution pursuant to this Article, it shall hold those reserves in its own reserve accounts in addition to its own reserves held in accordance with this Regulation. 7. The ECB or the relevant NCB may, at any time, withdraw the permission granted pursuant to paragraph 5 where any of the following apply: (a) either party to the agreement referred to in paragraph 2 or 4 fails to fulfil the requirements of this Regulation; (b) either party to the agreement referred to in paragraph 2 or 4 requests such withdrawal of permission pursuant to this Article; (c) the conditions for the indirect holding of minimum reserves specified in paragraph 1 are no longer fulfilled; (d) prudential reasons relating to the intermediary institution exist. 8. The relevant NCB or the ECB shall consider the following when determining whether to withdraw permission pursuant to paragraph 7: (a) whether the parties have agreed to terminate the agreement by mutual consent; (b) whether the institution holding its minimum reserves indirectly through an intermediary is able to fulfil its own reserve requirements. 9. Where the relevant NCB or the ECB withdraws permission pursuant to paragraph 7, the following shall apply: (a) the withdrawal of the permission shall take effect at the end of a maintenance period except where the permission is withdrawn pursuant to paragraph 7(d); (b) where the permission is withdrawn pursuant to paragraph 7(d), the withdrawal shall have immediate effect and the minimum notification period provided for in point (c) of this paragraph shall not apply; (c) the relevant NCB or the ECB shall notify both parties to the agreement referred to in paragraph 2 or 4 of the withdrawal at least five working days before the end of the final maintenance period for which the permission applies. 10. Where the ECB imposes sanctions pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 2532/98, it may impose those sanctions on the intermediary institution and the institution for which it holds reserves. Article 11 Aggregated reporting of the reserve base 1. Where an institution applies to the relevant NCB for permission to hold all its minimum reserves indirectly through a parent institution pursuant to Article 10(3), that parent institution may apply to the relevant NCB for permission to report the reserve base and the reserve base of the institutions in that group on an aggregated basis and in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2). NCBs may grant permission to parent institutions to report the reserve base on an aggregated basis and in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2). 2. Where a parent institution applies to the relevant NCB for permission to report the reserve base on an aggregated basis pursuant to paragraph 1, the relevant NCB shall ensure that the agreement referred to in Article 10(4) includes an acknowledgement of the potential loss of the deduction of the lump sum allowance referred to in Article 6(2) at an individual level. 3. Where the relevant NCB grants permission to a parent institution to report the reserve base on an aggregated basis pursuant to paragraph 1, it shall notify the relevant institution thereof without undue delay. That permission shall take effect from the start of the first maintenance period following the date that the permission is granted, and shall apply for the duration of the agreement referred to in paragraph 2 or until that permission is withdrawn. 4. Where the relevant NCB grants permission to a parent institution to report the reserve base on an aggregated basis pursuant to paragraph 1, one lump sum allowance referred to in Article 6(2) shall be automatically deducted from the minimum reserves held by the intermediary institution. 5. A permission granted to an institution by the ECB to report the reserve base on an aggregated basis pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 (ECB/2003/9) shall be considered valid and applicable for the purposes of this Regulation until that permission is withdrawn. Article 12 Mergers and divisions 1. Where a merger takes effect during a maintenance period, all of the following shall apply: (a) the acquiring institution shall fulfil the requirements of this Regulation for the acquired institution; (b) the acquiring institution’s minimum reserves shall be reduced by each lump sum allowance applicable pursuant to Article 6(2); (c) NCBs shall assess whether institutions fulfil the requirements of Article 3(1)(a) by taking into account the end-of day holdings in the reserve accounts of both the acquiring and acquired institutions. 2. The following shall apply during the maintenance period immediately following the maintenance period referred to in paragraph 1: (a) the minimum reserves of the acquiring institution shall be reduced in accordance with Article 6(2) by only one lump sum; and (b) the acquiring institution’s minimum reserves shall be calculated for the purposes of Article 6 using a reserve base which aggregates the reserve bases of the acquired institutions and of the acquiring institution. For the purposes of point (b), the calculation shall use the reserve bases of each institution for the relevant maintenance period as if the merger had not occurred, and in accordance with the rules set out in Annex III, Part 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2). The first subparagraph shall also apply for subsequent maintenance periods where the conditions of paragraph 4 of Part 2 of Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2) are met. 3. Where a division takes effect during a maintenance period, the following shall apply: (a) the recipient institutions which are credit institutions shall fulfil the requirements of this Regulation for the institution being divided; (b) each of the recipient credit institutions shall fulfil the requirements of this Regulation for that part of the reserve base of the institution being divided that is allocated to it; (c) reserves held by the institution being divided shall be allocated proportionally between the recipient institutions; (d) the lump sum allowance referred to in Article 6(2) shall be deducted from the minimum reserves of each recipient institution. 4. The following shall apply during the maintenance period immediately following the maintenance period in which the division takes effect and until the recipient institutions report their respective reserve bases in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2): (a) each recipient institution shall fulfil the requirements of this Regulation for that part of the reserve base of the institution being divided that is allocated to it, if any; and (b) the lump sum allowance referred to in Article 6(2) shall be deducted from the minimum reserves of each recipient institution. Article 13 Delegation of powers in the event of adoption of the euro 1. Where a Member State adopts the euro in accordance with the Treaty, the Governing Council hereby delegates power to the Executive Board to determine, after taking into consideration the views of the Market Operations Committee of the ESCB, the following: (a) the dates of a transitional maintenance period for the application of minimum reserve requirements pursuant to Article 3 to institutions established in that Member State, with the start date being the date of the adoption of the euro in that Member State; (b) the manner of calculation of the reserve base referred to in Article 5 during the transitional maintenance period referred to in point (a); (c) the deadline for the calculation and verification of the minimum reserves by the institutions established in that Member State or by the relevant NCB for the transitional maintenance period. The Executive Board shall adopt and publish a decision pursuant to the first subparagraph at least two months prior to the date of the adoption of the euro in the relevant Member State and shall notify the Governing Council thereof. 2. The Governing Council further delegates to the Executive Board the power to allow for a deduction from the reserve base of liabilities owed to institutions established in the Member State adopting the euro by institutions established in other euro area Member States for the relevant maintenance periods during and immediately following the transitional maintenance period referred to in paragraph 1(a). This first subparagraph shall apply where institutions in the Member State adopting the euro do not appear on the list of institutions referred to in Article 3(3)(a) at the time the minimum reserves are calculated. In this event, decisions adopted by the Executive Board allowing for the deduction pursuant to this paragraph may further specify the manner of in which the deduction of such liabilities shall be calculated. . Article 14 Verification 1. The relevant NCBs may exercise the right to verify the accuracy and quality of the information on the reserve base provided by institutions, in accordance with Article 6(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2531/98. 2. Where an institution notifies its calculation of minimum reserves pursuant to Article 7(3), the relevant NCB shall verify the accuracy of that calculation and shall monitor the consistency with the statistical information reported pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2021/379 (ECB/2021/2). Article 15 Repeal 1. Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 (ECB/2003/9) is repealed with effect from 26 June 2021. 2. References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex II. Article 16 Final provisions This Regulation shall enter into force on the fifth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply from 26 June 2021. However, Article 3 shall apply from 28 July 2021, on the first day of the fifth maintenance period in 2021. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in the Member States in accordance with the Treaties. Done at Frankfurt am Main, 22 January 2021. For the Governing Council of the ECB The President of the ECB Christine LAGARDE (1) OJ L 318, 27.11.1998, p. 1. (2) OJ L 318, 27.11.1998, p. 4. (3) Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 of the European Central Bank of 12 September 2003 on the application of minimum reserves (ECB/2003/9) (OJ L 250, 2.10.2003, p. 10). (4) Regulation (EU) 2021/379 of the European Central Bank of 22 January 2021 on the balance sheet items of credit institutions and of the monetary financial institutions sector (ECB/2021/2) (see page 16 of this Official Journal). (5) Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1.). (6) Regulation (EU) 2019/2033 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on the prudential requirements of investment firms and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010, (EU) No 575/2013, (EU) No 600/2014 and (EU) No 806/2014 (OJ L 314, 5.12.2019, p. 1). (7) Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 338). (8) Guideline ECB/2012/27 of the European Central Bank of 5 December 2012 on a Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement Express Transfer system (TARGET2) (OJ L 30, 30.1.2013, p. 1). (9) Council Regulation (EC) No 2533/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the collection of statistical information by the European Central Bank (OJ L 318, 27.11.1998, p. 8). (10) Directive 2001/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 April 2001 on the reorganisation and winding up of credit institutions (OJ L 125, 5.5.2001, p. 15). (11) Guideline (EU) 2015/510 of the European Central Bank of 19 December 2014 on the implementation of the Eurosystem monetary policy framework (ECB/2014/60) (OJ L 91, 2.4.2015, p. 3). ANNEX I Repealed Regulation with list of the successive amendments thereto Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2003/9) (OJ L 250, 2.10.2003, p. 10). Regulation (EC) No 1052/2008 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2008/10) (OJ L 282, 25.10.2008, p. 14). Regulation (EU) No 1358/2011 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2011/26) (OJ L 338, 21.12.2011, p. 51). Regulation (EU) No 1376/2014 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2014/52) (OJ L 366, 20.12.2014, p. 79). Regulation (EU) 2016/1705 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2016/26) (OJ L 257, 23.9.2016, p. 10). ANNEX II Correlation table Regulation (EC) No 1745/2003 This Regulation Article 1 Article 2 Article 2(1) Article 1 Article 2(2), first subparagraph Article 4(1) Article 2(2), second subparagraph Article 4(2), 4(3) Article 2(3) Article 3(3) — Article (3)(1)(d) and Article 3(4) Article 3(1) Article 5(1) Article 3(2) Article 5(2) Article 3(2a), first subparagraph Article 5(3) Article 3(2a), second subparagraph Article 5(4) — Article 5(5) Article 3(3) Article 5(6) Article 3(4) Article 5(7) Article 4(1) Article 6(1)(a) Article 4(2) Article 6(1)(b) Article 5(1) Article 6(1), introductory sentence and Article 6(3) Article 5(2) Article 6(2) Article 5(3) Article 7(1) to (5) Article 5(4) Article 7(6) Article 5(5) Article 7(7) Article 6(1), first and second sentences Article 3(1)(b) Article 6(1), third sentence Article 3(1)(c) Article 6(2) Article 3(1)(a) Article 6(3) Article 3(2) Article 7 Article 8 Article 8 Article 9 Article 9 Article 14(1) Article 10(1) and (2) Article 10(1) and (2), 10(5) Article 10(3) Article 10(6) and (10) Article 10(4) Article 10(7) and Article 10(9)(a) and (c) Article 10(5) Article 10(9)(b) — Article 10(4) to (5) and (8) Article 10(6) Recital 5, Article 14(2) Article 11 Article 11 Article 12 — Article 13 Article 12 Article 13a Article 13 Article 14 Article 15 — Article 15 Article 16 — Annexes I and II

Summary: Minimum reserves Minimum reserves SUMMARY OF: Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 concerning the application of minimum reserves by the European Central Bank Regulation (EU) 2021/378 on the application of minimum reserve requirements (recast) (ECB/2021/1) WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATIONS? The regulations establish the Eurosystem’s minimum reserve* framework and lay down rules for the holding of minimum reserves by credit institutions* and their branches in the euro area. They regulate all relevant aspects, from determining the actual reserve ratio, to the maintenance and remuneration of minimum reserves and the relevant reporting and verification of data. They also provide for exemptions from minimum reserve requirements and the power to impose sanctions. KEY POINTS Council Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 determines the basis and ratios for minimum reserves and establishes the right of the European Central Bank (ECB) to collect and verify information necessary for the application of minimum reserves. It also enables the ECB to impose sanctions on an institution for not complying with statistical reporting requirements or failing to hold sufficient minimum reserves. Regulation (EU) 2021/378 regulates the minimum reserve holdings and provides the formulas to be used by euro-area credit institutions to calculate the minimum reserves which are to be held in euro reserve accounts with their EU Member States’ national central banks (NCBs). The ECB publishes on its website the list of institutions subject to the Eurosystem’s minimum reserve requirements. The institutions whose authorisation has been withdrawn or renounced and those subject to winding-up proceedings are exempted from the minimum reserve requirements. Further exemptions may be granted to institutions: which are subject to a reorganisation measure; on which a freezing order or another measure restricting the institution’s ability to use funds is imposed; whose access to the Eurosystem’s open market operations or standing facilities has been suspended or excluded; for which it is not appropriate to require minimum reserves. The euro-area credit institutions subject to the minimum reserve requirements calculate their own reserve base* (if this is not done by the NCBs) using their statistical information on deposits and debt securities issued. They may hold their minimum reserves indirectly through an intermediary which is resident in the same Member State, is subject to minimum reserve requirements and normally carries out certain administrative tasks. The NCBs notify the credit institutions on the minimum reserves they should hold (if the NCB does the calculation) or acknowledge the minimum reserves calculated by the institutions themselves. They also remunerate holdings of minimum reserves according to the formula set by Regulation (EU) 2021/378 and have the right to verify the accuracy and quality of the information on the reserve base provided by the institutions. Specific rules come into play when: the reserve base is reported on an aggregated basis; a merger between two institutions takes place during the maintenance period*; a Member State adopts the euro. FROM WHEN DO THE REGULATIONS APPLY? Regulation (EU) 2021/378 has applied from 26 June 2021, apart from Article 3 (calculation of reserve holdings), which took effect on 28 July 2021 (the first day of the fifth maintenance period). Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 has applied since 1 January 1999. BACKGROUND On the basis of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, the ECB may require euro-area credit institutions to hold minimum reserves for monetary policy purposes. Minimum reserves help to stabilise money market interest rates and enable credit institutions to handle daily liquidity fluctuations. Reserves held with national central banks increase demand for central bank credit, making it easier for the ECB to steer money market rates through regular liquidity-providing operations. For more information, see: Minimum reserves (European Central Bank). KEY TERMS Minimum reserves: amount of funds an institution must hold in its reserve accounts with the relevant national central bank. Credit institution: an undertaking receiving deposits or other repayable funds from the public and granting credits. Reserve base: the sum of eligible liabilities used to calculate an institution’s minimum reserves. Maintenance period: the period over which compliance with minimum reserve requirements is assessed. MAIN DOCUMENTS Council Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the application of minimum reserves by the European Central Bank (OJ L 318, 27.11.1998, pp. 1–3) Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 2531/98 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only. Regulation (EU) 2021/378 of the European Central Bank of 22 January 2021 on the application of minimum reserve requirements (recast) (ECB/2021/1) (OJ L 73, 3.3.2021, pp. 1–15) RELATED DOCUMENTS Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – Protocol (No 4) on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 230–250) Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms, amending Directive 2002/87/EC and repealing Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, pp. 338–436) See consolidated version Council Regulation (EC) No 2532/98 of 23 November 1998 concerning the powers of the European Central Bank to impose sanctions (OJ L 318, 27.11.1998, pp.4–7) See consolidated version. last update 02.07.2021


17.12.1991 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 348/1 COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 3648/91 of 11 December 1991 laying down the methods of using form 302 and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 3690/86 concerning the abolition, within the framework of the TIR Convention, of customs formalities on exit from a Member State at a frontier between two Member States and Regulation (EEC) No 4283/88 on the abolition of certain exit formalities at internal Community frontiers — introduction of common border posts THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), In cooperation with the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas Regulations (EEC) No 3690/86 (4) and (EEC) No 4283/88 (5) simplified formalities in respect of goods crossing an internal frontier of the Community under cover of a TIR or ATA carnet, a Community movement carnet or NATO form 302 by providing for the introduction of common border posts, thus ensuring that the same checks are not repeated on both sides of the frontier and that the sole administrative operation takes place at the office of entry in the Member State into which the goods are brought; Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 719/91 (6) further simplifies the rules for use of TIR and ATA carnets with effect from 1 January 1992 by providing that the Community is to be considered for this purpose to form a single customs territory, thus eliminating entirely the need, at internal frontier crossings, for the formalities and controls inherent in the use of TIR and ATA carnets as transit documents; Whereas, in anticipation of the total eliminations of internal frontiers linked to the establishment of the single market, these additional facilities should be extended from 1 January 1992 to operations under cover of NATO form 302 as well; Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 3/84 (7) concerning the Community movement carnet, as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 718/91 (8), is due to be repealed with effect from the date of application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2726/90 of 17 September 1990 on Community transit (9); Whereas Regulations (EEC) No 3690/86 and (EEC) No 4283/88 will become redundant when the measures for which they provide cease to be applicable; whereas they should be repealed with effect from the dates in question, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Regulation (EEC) No 3690/86 is hereby repealed. Article 2 1. Where, in accordance with the provisions in force, goods are transported from one point in the Community to another under cover of form 302 established under the Convention between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Status of their Forces, signed in London on 19 June 1951, the Community shall be considered, for the purposes of the rules governing the use of the said form for such transport, to form a single territory, as defined by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2151/84 of 23 July 1984 on the customs territory of the Community (10) 2. Where, in the course of a transport operation referred to in paragraph 1, goods pass through the territory of a third country, the controls and formalities inherent in form 302 shall be applied at the points where the goods temporarily leave the customs territory of the Community and where they re-enter that territory. 3. Where it is found that, in the course of, or in connection with, a transport operation carried out under cover of form 302, an offence or irregularity has been committed in a particular Member State, the recovery of duties and other charges which may be chargeable shall be effected by that Member State in accordance with Community or national provisions, without prejudice to the institution of criminal proceedings. 4. Where it is not possible to determine in which territory the offence or irregularity was committed, such offence or irregularity shall be deemed to have been committed in the Member State where it was noted. In that case, the duties and other charges relating to the goods in dispute shall be levied by that Member State in accordance with Community or national provisions. If, subsequently, the Member State where the said offence or irregularity was actually committed is determined, the duties and other charges (apart from those levied, pursuant to the second subparagraph, as own resources of the Community) to which the goods are liable in that Member State shall be reimbursed to it by the Member State which originally recovered them. In that case, any overpayment, shall be returned to the person who originally paid the charges. Where the amount of the duties and other charges originally levied and reimboursed by the Member State which recovered them is smaller than that of the duties and other charges due in the Member State where the offence or irregularity was actually committed, that Member State shall levy the difference in accordance with Community or national provisions. Member States shall take the necessary measures to dal with any offence or irregularity and to impose effective penalties. Article 3 Regulation (EEC) No 4283/88 is hereby repealed. However, to the extent that it concerns the Community movement carnet, the said Regulation shall continue to apply until the date of application of Regulation (EEC) No 2726/90. Article 4 This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall apply from 1 January 1992. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 11 December 1991. For the Council The President P. BUKMAN (1) OJ No C 143, 1. 6. 1991, p. 11. (2) OJ No C 280, 28. 10. 1991, and OJ No C 326, 13. 12. 1991. (3) OJ No C 269, 14. 10. 1991, p. 23. (4) OJ No L 341, 4. 12. 1986, p. 1. (5) OJ No L 382, 31. 12. 1988, p. 1. (6) OJ No L 78, 26. 3. 1991, p. 6. (7) OJ No L 2, 4. 1. 1984, p. 1. (8) OJ No L 78, 26. 3. 1991, p. 4. (9) OJ No L 262, 26. 9. 1990, p. 1. (10) OJ No L 197, 27. 7. 1984, p. 1. Regulation last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 4151/88 (OJ No L 367, 31. 12. 1988, p. 1).

Summary: Abolition of customs formalities at internal frontier crossings for NATO military equipment Abolition of customs formalities at internal frontier crossings for NATO military equipment The purpose of this regulation is to abolish customs formalities at internal frontier crossings for goods belonging to or intended for NATO armed forces (Form 302). ACT Council Regulation (EEC) No 3648/91 of 13 December 1991 laying down the procedures governing the use of Form 302 and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 3690/86 concerning the abolition within the framework of the TIR Convention of customs formalities on exit from a Member State at a frontier between two Member States, and Regulation (EEC) No 4283/88 on the abolition of certain exit formalities at internal Community frontiers - introduction of common border posts SUMMARY Where goods are transported within the Community under the cover of Form 302 (established under the convention between the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty on the status of their forces) the Community shall be considered, for the purposes of the rules governing the use of the said form for such transport, to form a single territory. Where, in the course of a transport operation, goods pass through the territory of a third country, the checks and formalities inherent in Form 302 shall be applied at the points where the goods temporarily leave the customs territory of the Community and where they re-enter that territory. The Regulation lays down the steps to be followed where it is found that, in the course of, or in connection with, a transport operation carried out under cover of Form 302, an offence or an irregularity has been committed. The Member States shall take the necessary measures to deal with any offence or irregularity and to impose effective penalties. References Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal Regulation (EEC) No 3648/91 20.12.1991 - OJ L 348 of 17.12.1991 Last updated: 23.06.2006


EUR-Lex - 22004A0930(02) - EN Avis juridique important | 22004A0930(02) Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on intensifying and broadening the Agreement on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters to include cooperation on container security and related matters Official Journal L 304 , 30/09/2004 P. 0034 - 0037 Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on intensifying and broadening the Agreement on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters to include cooperation on container security and related matters THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Having regard to the provisions of the Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, which was signed 28 May 1997 , hereafter called «the CMAA» , Whereas: (1) Acknowledging that US Customs and Border Protection is, as of 1 March 2003 , the successor to the United States Customs Service under the CMAA. (2) Recalling that the Contracting Parties may by mutual consent decide to expand areas of cooperation under the CMAA pursuant to Article 3. (3) Recalling that, under Article 22 of the CMAA, the JCCC consists of representatives of the Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties, which in the European Community are the competent services of the Commission of the European Communities assisted by the customs authorities of the Member States of the European Community and in the United States of America is the US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security. (4) Recognising that the Joint Customs Cooperation Committee (JCCC) was established under Article 22 of the CMAA. (5) Acknowledging the long-standing, close and productive relations between the Customs Authorities of the United States of America and of the European Community. (6) Being convinced that this cooperation can be further improved by, among other things, intensifying the exchange of relevant information and best practices among the US Customs and Border Protection, the European Commission and the customs authorities of Member States of the European Community in order to ensure that general customs controls of international trade take due account of security concerns. (7) Acknowledging the importance of extending this cooperation to all modes of international transport and all kinds of goods, initially putting priority on sea-container transport. (8) Recognising the high volume of two-way sea-container and other modes of trade between the European Community and the United States of America, and the important role of both the European Community and the United States of America as transport hubs for containers coming from many countries. (9) Recognising that global sea containers are imported into, transhipped through, or transiting the United States of America and the European Community. (10) Being convinced that there is a need to deter, prevent, and interdict any terrorist attempts to disrupt global trade by concealing terrorist weapons in global sea-container trade or other shipments, or by using such shipments as weapons. (11) Being convinced of the need to increase security for the European Community and the United States of America and at the same time facilitate legitimate trade. (12) Noting the importance of developing, to the extent practicable, reciprocal systems for securing and facilitating legitimate trade with due regard to threat assessments. (13) Recognising that substantially greater security of legitimate trade can be achieved through a system where the customs authority of the importing country works collaboratively with customs authorities involved in earlier parts of the supply chain to use timely information and inspection technology to target and screen high-risk containers before they are shipped from their ports or places of loading or transhipment. (14) Supporting the objectives of the Container Security Initiative (CSI), which is designed to safeguard global maritime trade by enhancing cooperation at seaports world wide in order to identify and examine high-risk containers and ensure their in-transit integrity. (15) Recalling Article 5 of the CMAA that determines the relationship between that Agreement and any bilateral agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters that have been or may be concluded between individual Member States of the European Community and the United States of America. (16) Recognising that expansion of CSI should occur as quickly as possible for all ports within the European Community where the exchange of sea-container traffic with the United States of America is more than de minimis and where certain minimum requirements are met and where adequate inspection technology exists, HAVE AGREED ON THE FOLLOWING: Article 1 To intensify and broaden customs cooperation under the CMAA to improve the security of sea-container and other shipments from all locations that are imported into, transhipped through, or transiting the European Community and the United States of America. Article 2 To take due account of Article 5 of the CMAA, which determines the relations between the CMAA and any bilateral agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters between Member States of the European Community and the United States of America, and any CSI declarations of principles that complement such bilateral agreements Article 3 That the objectives of the intensified and broadened cooperation include, but are not limited to: 1. supporting the prompt and successful expansion of the CSI to all ports in the European Community that meet relevant requirements, and promoting comparable standards in the relevant US ports; 2. working together to reinforce the customs related aspects for securing the logistics chain of international trade and, in particular, as a first priority to enhance the identification and security screening of all high-risk sea-container shipments; 3. establishing minimum standards, to the greatest extent practicable, for risk-management techniques and related requirements and programs; and 4. coordinating positions, to the greatest extent practicable, in any multilateral fora where issues related to container security may be appropriately raised and discussed. Article 4 To consider in the JCCC the appropriate form and content of documents and/or measures further implementing the intensified and broadened customs cooperation under this Agreement. Article 5 To form a Working Group, comprised of representatives of US Customs and Border Protection and of the European Commission assisted by interested Member States in order to examine and make recommendations to the JCCC on issues including, but not limited to those identified in the Annex. Article 6 That the Working Group is to report on a regular basis to the Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection and the Director-General of the Taxation and Customs Union Directorate General of the European Commission and annually to the JCCC on the progress of its work. Article 7 This Agreement shall enter into force upon signature by the Parties which shall have the effect of expressing their consent to be bound. If the Agreement is not signed the same day on behalf of both Parties, the Agreement shall enter into force on the day on which the second signature is affixed. Hecho en Bruselas, el veintiocho de abril de dos mil cuatro. Udfærdiget i Bruxelles den otteogtyvende april to tusind og fire. Geschehen zu Brüssel am achtundzwanzigsten April zweitausendundvier. Έγινε στις Βρυξέλλες, στις είκοσι οκτώ Απριλίου δύο χιλιάδες τέσσερα. Done at Brussels on the twenty-eighth day of April in the year two thousand and four. Fait à Bruxelles, le vingt-huit avril deux mille quatre. Fatto a Bruxelles, addì ventotto aprile duemilaquattro. Gedaan te Brussel, de achtentwintigste april tweeduizendvier. Feito em Bruxelas, em vinte e oito de Abril de dois mil e quatro. Tehty Brysselissä kahdentenakymmenentenäkahdeksantena päivänä huhtikuuta vuonna kaksituhattaneljä. Som skedde i Bryssel den tjugoåttonde april tjugohundrafyra. FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY >REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC> FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA >REFERENCE TO A GRAPHIC> ANNEX Annex to the Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on intensifying and broadening the CMAA to include cooperation on container security and related matters The Working Group created under paragraph 5 of the Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on intensifying and broadening the CMAA to include cooperation on Container Security and related matters shall examine and make recommendations on issues including, but not limited to, the following areas of cooperation between US Customs and Border Protection and Customs authorities in the European Community with a view to ensuring that general customs controls of international trade take due account of security concerns: (a) defining minimum standards, in particular in view of participating in CSI, and recommending methods by which those standards may be met; (b) identifying and broadening the application of best practices concerning security controls of international trade, especially those developed under CSI; (c) defining and establishing standards to the greatest extent practicable for the information required to identify high-risk shipments imported into, transhipped through, or transiting the United States of America and the European Community; (d) improving and establishing standards to the greatest extent practicable for targeting and screening such high-risk shipments, to include information exchange, the use of automated targeting systems, and the development of minimum standards for inspection technologies and screening methodologies; (e) improving and establishing standards to the greatest extent practicable for industry partnership-programs designed to improve supply chain security and facilitate the movement of legitimate trade; (f) identifying any regulatory or legislative changes that would be necessary to implement the recommendations of the Working Group; and (g) considering the type of documents and measures further implementing the intensified and broadened customs cooperation on the issues set out in this Annex.

Summary: Container security: EU–US agreements Container security: EU–US agreements SUMMARY OF: Decision 2004/634/EC — conclusion of the agreement between the European Community and the United States on intensifying and broadening the agreement on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters to include cooperation on container security and related matters Agreement between the European Community and the United States on intensifying and broadening the agreement on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters to include cooperation on container security and related matters WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISION? The agreement seeks to extend the 1997 agreement on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters (CMAA), which was designed to develop customs cooperation of the widest possible scope between the European Community (now the European Union) and the United States. In order to cover supply-chain security of transatlantic trade, under the extended agreement the EU and the United States aim to intensify customs cooperation to ensure that general customs control takes due account of security concerns. The decision marks the conclusion of the agreement on behalf of the EU. KEY POINTS The agreement provides for the prompt expansion of the container security initiative (CSI) to all ports in the EU that meet the relevant requirements. It aims to improve cargo security on a reciprocal basis for both parties whilst ensuring equal treatment of US and EU ports and operators. It also sets out a work programme for the implementation of the following measures: the development of standards for risk management techniques;information required to identify high-risk shipments imported by the parties;industry partnership programmes. The external coordination of customs control standards with the United States is also necessary to guarantee supply-chain security and ensure the continued flow of legitimate trade in containers. The customs authorities of the importing country work together with the customs authorities involved in earlier parts of the supply chain. This is to use timely information and inspection technology to target and screen high-risk containers before they are shipped from their ports or places of loading or transhipment in the respective countries. It is essential to ensure that EU ports can participate in the CSI on the basis of uniform principles. The adoption of comparable standards should also be promoted in US ports. To broaden and intensify customs cooperation between the parties, a consultation procedure has been put in place. EU countries that negotiate arrangements with the United States in the fields governed by the extended CMAA must consult the European Commission and the other EU countries beforehand as well as share information and ensure that the agreed arrangements comply with the EU treaties and policies and the extended CMAA. If the Commission considers that an arrangement, which an EU country wishes to include in cooperation with the United States, does not comply, it informs the country concerned. Similarly, that country is informed when a subject has to be dealt with under the extended CMAA. The EU–US Joint Customs Cooperation Committee is mandated with finding an appropriate form and content for documents and measures with a view to continuing to implement intensified and broadened customs cooperation under the agreement. The agreement sets up a working group composed of representatives of the US customs authorities assisted by interested EU countries. It reports regularly to the Joint Customs Cooperation Committee, the US Customs and Border Protection and the Commission. It has the task of examining and making recommendations in areas such as: defining minimum standards and recommending methods by which those standards may be met;identifying and broadening the application of best practice for security controls of international trade, especially those developed under CSI;establishing standards for the information required to identify and monitor high-risk shipments imported into, transhipped through, or transiting the United States and the EU;improving and establishing standards for targeting and screening such high-risk shipments and developing minimum standards for inspection technologies and screening methodologies;improving and establishing standards for industry partnership programmes to improve supply-chain security and facilitate legitimate trade;identifying any regulatory or legislative changes necessary to implement its recommendations;considering the type of documents and measures to further implement intensified and broadened customs cooperation on the issues set out in the annex to the agreement. In 2004, the EU and the United States adopted, via the Joint Customs Cooperation Committee, recommendations on strengthening the security of the maritime transport of containers under the agreement. DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE The agreement entered into force on 28 April 2004. BACKGROUND For more information, see: International Customs Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreements (European Commission). MAIN DOCUMENTS Council Decision 2004/634/EC of 30 March 2004 concerning the conclusion of the agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on intensifying and broadening the agreement on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters to include cooperation on container security and related matters (OJ L 304, 30.9.2004, pp. 32-33) Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on intensifying and broadening the agreement on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters to include cooperation on container security and related matters (OJ L 304, 30.9.2004, pp. 34-37) RELATED DOCUMENTS Council Decision 97/541/EC of 21 May 1997 concerning the conclusion of the agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters (OJ L 222, 12.8.1997, p. 16) Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters (OJ L 222, 12.8.1997, pp. 17-24) last update 01.04.2020