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Le Parlement européen a adopté par 587 voix pour, 24 voix contre et 61 abstentions, une résolution législative sur la proposition de règlement du Parlement européen et du Conseil modifiant certains règlements relatifs à la politique commerciale commune en ce qui concerne les procédures d'adoption de certaines mesures.

La position en première lecture arrêtée par le Parlement européen suivant la procédure législative ordinaire modifie la proposition de la Commission comme suit :

Ajout de deux autres règlements à la proposition à l'examen : tandis que la proposition de la Commission se limite à 24 règlements à modifier, le texte amendé ajoute deux autres règlements, à savoir : i) le règlement (CE) n° 3448/93 du Conseil déterminant le régime d'échange applicable à certaines marchandises résultant de la transformation de produits agricoles et ii) le règlement (CE) n° 1236/2005 du Conseil concernant le commerce de certains biens susceptibles d'être utilisés en vue d'infliger la peine capitale, la torture ou d'autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants.

Ces deux règlements ont pour base juridique l'article 207 du traité FUE (ex-article 133 CE). Ils relèvent donc du domaine de la politique commerciale commune. Tous deux contiennent des dispositions qui dotent la Commission, le Conseil et les États membres de compétences d'exécution, qui devraient être alignées sur les dispositions des articles 290 (actes délégués) et 291 du traité FUE, ainsi que sur le règlement (UE) n°182/2011.

En revanche, le Parlement propose de supprimer la référence au règlement (CE) n° 1215/2009 du Conseil introduisant des mesures commerciales exceptionnelles en faveur des pays et territoires participants et liés au processus de stabilisation et d'association mis en œuvre par l'Union européenne. En effet, ce règlement a été aligné sur les exigences contenues dans les articles 290 et 291 du TFUE par le règlement du Parlement européen et du Conseil modifiant le règlement (CE) n° 1215/2009 du Conseil.

Procédure d'examen ou procédure consultative : dans la grande majorité des cas, la procédure d'examen sera d’application pour la mise en œuvre des actes d'exécution. De l'avis des députés, la procédure d'examen est particulièrement adaptée à l'adoption de mesures antidumping, antisubventions et de sauvegarde définitives. Cela ressort déjà des dispositions du règlement (UE) n° 182/2011.

Toutefois, contrairement à la proposition de la Commission, le Parlement conseille de recourir à la procédure consultative dans tous les cas où la Commission doit consulter les États membres avant de prendre une décision, mais pour lesquels le mécanisme de décision de longue haleine de la procédure d'examen constituerait une entrave. Tel serait le cas des mesures de sauvegarde temporaires, des mesures de surveillance et des mesures de suspension relevant des instruments de défense que la Commission doit être à même d’adopter aussi rapidement que possible. En cas d'urgence, lors de l'adoption de mesures de sauvegarde provisoires, il est nécessaire de prévoir la possibilité d'adopter, parallèlement à l'application de la procédure consultative, des mesures immédiates au moyen d'actes d'exécution immédiatement applicables.

Procédure écrite : conformément au règlement (UE) n° 182/2011, le président du comité consultatif ou d'appel peut ordonner le recours à la procédure écrite dans des cas simples. Le règlement prévoit qu'en l'absence de disposition contraire, la procédure écrite ne peut s'appliquer lorsqu'un État membre s'y oppose. Le Parlement prévoit une disposition dérogatoire pour tous les règlements concernés, selon laquelle la procédure écrite ne prend fin qu'à la demande d'une majorité des États membres. De plus, dans les cas simples comme l'arrêt de la procédure, le Parlement introduit une référence explicite à la procédure écrite afin d'en suggérer l'application.

Actes délégués : le Parlement confirme l'introduction des actes délégués dans tous les domaines proposés par la Commission. Il prévoit en outre d'étendre leur application aux règlements suivants:

• le règlement (CE) n° 3448/93 du Conseil du 6 décembre 1993 déterminant le régime d'échange applicable à certaines marchandises résultant de la transformation de produits agricoles;
• le règlement (CE) n° 427/2003 du Conseil du 3 mars 2003 relatif à un mécanisme de sauvegarde transitoire applicable aux importations de certains produits de la République populaire de Chine et modifiant le règlement (CE) n° 519/94 relatif au régime commun applicable aux importations de certains pays tiers;
• le règlement (CE) n° 1236/2005 du Conseil du 27 juin 2005 concernant le commerce de certains biens susceptibles d'être utilisés en vue d'infliger la peine capitale, la torture ou d'autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants;
• le règlement (CE) n° 732/2008 du Conseil du 22 juillet 2008 appliquant un schéma de préférences tarifaires généralisées pour la période du 1^er janvier 2009 au 31 décembre 2011, et modifiant les règlements (CE) n° 552/97 et (CE) n° 1933/2006, ainsi que les règlements de la Commission (CE) n° 1100/2006 et (CE) n° 964/2007.

Le Parlement recommande que ces règlements prévoient l'application d'actes délégués dans les cas suivants: a) la modification ou l'adaptation d'une ou de plusieurs annexes des différents règlements, et b) l'adoption de dispositions détaillées relatives à la transposition spécifique d'articles individuels.

Cas particulier du système des préférences généralisées (SPG) : le SPG constitue un cas particulier dans le présent rapport. La discussion relative à l'application des actes délégués et des actes d'exécution a déjà eu lieu entre la fin de l'année 2010 et le début de l'année 2011 en ce qui concerne le règlement (CE) n° 512/2011 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 11 mai 2011 modifiant le règlement (CE) n° 732/2008 du Conseil appliquant un schéma de préférences tarifaires généralisées pour la période du 1^er janvier 2009 au 31 décembre 2011. La résolution reprend par conséquent toutes les revendications formulées par le Parlement européen en mars 2011.

Il s'agit concrètement de réglementer les actes délégués dans les cas suivants: i) octroi du régime spécial d'encouragement en faveur du développement durable et de la bonne gouvernance; ii) adoption des modalités nécessaires à la mise en œuvre des dispositions relatives à la réduction des droits du tarif douanier commun applicables aux produits relevant de la position tarifaire 1701 et de la suspension des droits du tarif douanier commun applicables aux produits relevant des positions tarifaires 1006 et 1701; iii) retrait d'un pays de l'annexe I et adaptations de toutes les autres annexes rendues nécessaires par suite des modifications de la nomenclature combinée, par des changements dans le statut international ou le classement des pays ou des territoires, lorsqu'un pays a atteint les seuils prévus ou pour établir la liste définitive des pays bénéficiaires.

Processus de consultation (antidumping et antisubventions): s'agissant des mesures antidumping et antisubventions, le Parlement prévoit le remplacement des consultations dès l'ouverture de la procédure par une obligation d'information de la part de la Commission à l'égard des États membres ainsi que la possibilité, pour ces derniers, de formuler leur avis à bref délai. Dans aucun des cas visés, la résolution ne substitue la procédure consultative à la procédure de consultation actuelle.

Délais applicables aux procédures antidumping et antisubventions : en ce qui concerne les dispositions antidumping et antisubventions, la Commission européenne prévoit la possibilité d'étendre les délais de clôture de ces procédures. Jusqu'à présent, le délai maximal était de 15 mois pour la procédure antidumping et de 13 mois pour la procédure antisubventions. La proposition de la Commission prévoit désormais la possibilité d'étendre les délais à 18 mois au maximum, ce qui correspond également au plafond fixé par l'OMC.

Les modifications proposées par les députés sont les suivantes:

• la suppression de la procédure de consultation permet de ramener à 14 mois le délai applicable à la procédure normale pour les mesures antidumping et à 12 mois pour les mesures antisubventions;
• en cas de saisine du comité d'appel faute d'aboutissement de la procédure d'examen, le délai doit pouvoir être étendu à 15 mois pour les mesures antidumping et à 13 mois pour les mesures antisubventions, faute de quoi il serait impossible de respecter les délais;
• les prolongations de délai doivent uniquement être possibles en cas de saisine du comité d'appel. Il appartient donc aux États membres de signaler à un stade précoce de la procédure si la saisine du comité d'appel sera ou non nécessaire.

Rapports : dans la plupart des règlements concernés, les députés recommandent l'introduction d'une obligation, pour la Commission, de faire rapport au Parlement européen et au public. Ils estiment que toutes les informations non confidentielles doivent figurer dans un rapport publié chaque année, voire tous les deux ans. Cela permet de faire connaître tout domaine qui échappe au contrôle direct du Parlement européen et donc des citoyens de par l'adoption d'actes d'exécution et donc de garantir l'exercice du droit de regard conformément à l'article 11 du règlement (UE) n° 182/2011.  

The European Parliament adopted by 587 votes to 24, with 61 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending certain regulations relating to the common commercial policy as regards the procedures for the adoption of certain measures.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amending the Commission proposal as follows:

Addition of two Regulations to the proposal under consideration: whilst the Commission proposal is confined to the amendment of 24 regulations, this resolution adds two further regulations, these being Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 laying down the trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products, and Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The legal basis of these two regulations is Article 207 TFEU (ex Article 133 EC.) Its objectives focus on common commercial policy matters. Both regulations include provisions that provide the Commission, the Council and the Member States with implementing powers that should be aligned to the provisions of Articles 290 (delegated acts) and 291 TFUE as well as of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

On the other hand, Parliament proposes to delete the reference to Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process. This Regulation was aligned with the requirements contained in Articles 290 and 291 within the Regulation of the European Parliament and Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009.

Examination procedure or advisory procedure: the resolution confirms the Commission proposal to use the examination procedure in the application of implementing provisions in the vast majority of cases. Members consider that that the examination procedure is the appropriate procedure particularly where final anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures are concerned. This is already implied by the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. In a departure from the Commission proposal, however, the report recommends using the advisory procedure in all cases where the Commission must consult Member States before taking a decision but in which the protracted decision-making involved in the examination procedure is an obstacle to arriving at a decision. This is the case with provisional safeguard measures, surveillance measures and suspension measures as part of trade policy defence instruments, when a quick, effective response from the Commission is called for.

In urgent cases, where temporary safeguard measures are adopted, in addition to using the advisory procedure there must be provision for immediate measures to be adopted by means of implementing provisions that are immediately applicable.

Written procedure: in accordance with Regulation (EU) n° 182/2011, the chair of an advisory or examination committee can order a written procedure in simple cases. The Regulation lays down that, except as otherwise provided, the written procedure may not be applied if a Member State objects. The resolution contains a different rule for all the regulations with which it is concerned. It stipulates that the written procedure is to be terminated only if a qualified majority of Member States calls for this. The resolution also contains an explicit reference to the written procedure, in order to encourage its use, in simple cases such as the termination of the procedure.

Delegated acts: Parliament confirms the introduction of delegated acts in all the fields proposed by the Commission. In addition, it provides for their application in the following regulations:

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 concerning trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products;

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 on a transitional product-specific safeguard mechanism for imports originating in the People’s Republic of China and amending Regulation (EC) No 519/94 on common rules for imports from certain third countries;

·        Council Regulation (EC° No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 of 22 July 2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 and amending Regulations (EC) No 552/97, (EC) No 1933/2006 and Commission Regulations (EC) No 1100/2006 and (EC) No 964/2007.

The resolution recommends the use of delegated acts in these regulations for the following purposes: (a) to amend or adapt one or more annexes to the regulation concerned, and (b) to adopt detailed provisions for the specific implementation of individual articles.

The special case of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP): the GSP constitutes a special case in this resolution. The use of delegated acts and implementing provisions was already debated between the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 in connection with Regulation (EU) No 512/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. The resolution consistently takes up all the European Parliament’s demands of March 2011.

More specifically, Members lay down rules on delegated acts in the following cases: (i) granting of special incentive arrangements for sustainable development and good governance; (ii) adoption of rules on the reduction of the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products of tariff heading 1701 and the abolition of the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products of tariff headings 1006 and 1701; (iii) deletion of a country from Annex I and amendment of all annexes on account of changes in the international status or classification of countries or territories, on account of the attainment in a country of the threshold values set or on account of the establishment of a final list of beneficiary countries.

Consultation procedures (anti-dumping and anti-subsidy): with regard to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, rather than consultations when the procedure is initiated, the report requires the Commission to inform Member States and makes it possible for Member States to indicate their positions at an early stage. In none of the cases in question does the report replace the previous consultation procedures with an advisory procedure.

Time limits in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures: the Commission proposal provides for a possible extension of the deadlines for completing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures to be incorporated in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulation. Hitherto, a time limit of 15 months has applied to anti-dumping procedures and 13 months to anti-subsidy procedures. The Commission proposal now permits the time limits to be extended to a maximum of 18 months. This is also the maximum permitted under WTO rules.

The report contains the following amendments:

·        the abolition of the consultation procedures makes it possible to reduce the regulatory procedure to 14 months in anti-dumping cases and 12 months in anti-subsidy cases;

·        if, after the examination procedure has been completed without result, a decision is needed from the appeal committee, it must be possible to extend the time limit to 15 months in anti-dumping cases and 13 months in anti-subsidy cases, since otherwise it would be impossible to comply with the time limits;

·        extensions of time limits should be possible only where the appeal committee is asked for a decision. It is therefore up to the Member States to indicate at an early stage in the procedure whether or not it will be necessary to seek a decision from the appeal committee.

Reports: in most of the regulations in question, Parliament recommends requiring the Commission to report to the European Parliament and to the public. All information that is not confidential must be set out in an annual or biennial report and published. This is necessary in order to supply information about fields which have been placed beyond the immediate reach of the European Parliament and hence of the public by adopting implementing provisions, thus facilitating scrutiny in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

The European Parliament adopted by 587 votes to 24, with 61 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending certain regulations relating to the common commercial policy as regards the procedures for the adoption of certain measures.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amending the Commission proposal as follows:

Addition of two Regulations to the proposal under consideration: whilst the Commission proposal is confined to the amendment of 24 regulations, this resolution adds two further regulations, these being Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 laying down the trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products, and Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The legal basis of these two regulations is Article 207 TFEU (ex Article 133 EC.) Its objectives focus on common commercial policy matters. Both regulations include provisions that provide the Commission, the Council and the Member States with implementing powers that should be aligned to the provisions of Articles 290 (delegated acts) and 291 TFUE as well as of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

On the other hand, Parliament proposes to delete the reference to Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process. This Regulation was aligned with the requirements contained in Articles 290 and 291 within the Regulation of the European Parliament and Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009.

Examination procedure or advisory procedure: the resolution confirms the Commission proposal to use the examination procedure in the application of implementing provisions in the vast majority of cases. Members consider that that the examination procedure is the appropriate procedure particularly where final anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures are concerned. This is already implied by the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. In a departure from the Commission proposal, however, the report recommends using the advisory procedure in all cases where the Commission must consult Member States before taking a decision but in which the protracted decision-making involved in the examination procedure is an obstacle to arriving at a decision. This is the case with provisional safeguard measures, surveillance measures and suspension measures as part of trade policy defence instruments, when a quick, effective response from the Commission is called for.

In urgent cases, where temporary safeguard measures are adopted, in addition to using the advisory procedure there must be provision for immediate measures to be adopted by means of implementing provisions that are immediately applicable.

Written procedure: in accordance with Regulation (EU) n° 182/2011, the chair of an advisory or examination committee can order a written procedure in simple cases. The Regulation lays down that, except as otherwise provided, the written procedure may not be applied if a Member State objects. The resolution contains a different rule for all the regulations with which it is concerned. It stipulates that the written procedure is to be terminated only if a qualified majority of Member States calls for this. The resolution also contains an explicit reference to the written procedure, in order to encourage its use, in simple cases such as the termination of the procedure.

Delegated acts: Parliament confirms the introduction of delegated acts in all the fields proposed by the Commission. In addition, it provides for their application in the following regulations:

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 concerning trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products;

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 on a transitional product-specific safeguard mechanism for imports originating in the People’s Republic of China and amending Regulation (EC) No 519/94 on common rules for imports from certain third countries;

·        Council Regulation (EC° No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 of 22 July 2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 and amending Regulations (EC) No 552/97, (EC) No 1933/2006 and Commission Regulations (EC) No 1100/2006 and (EC) No 964/2007.

The resolution recommends the use of delegated acts in these regulations for the following purposes: (a) to amend or adapt one or more annexes to the regulation concerned, and (b) to adopt detailed provisions for the specific implementation of individual articles.

The special case of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP): the GSP constitutes a special case in this resolution. The use of delegated acts and implementing provisions was already debated between the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 in connection with Regulation (EU) No 512/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. The resolution consistently takes up all the European Parliament’s demands of March 2011.

More specifically, Members lay down rules on delegated acts in the following cases: (i) granting of special incentive arrangements for sustainable development and good governance; (ii) adoption of rules on the reduction of the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products of tariff heading 1701 and the abolition of the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products of tariff headings 1006 and 1701; (iii) deletion of a country from Annex I and amendment of all annexes on account of changes in the international status or classification of countries or territories, on account of the attainment in a country of the threshold values set or on account of the establishment of a final list of beneficiary countries.

Consultation procedures (anti-dumping and anti-subsidy): with regard to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, rather than consultations when the procedure is initiated, the report requires the Commission to inform Member States and makes it possible for Member States to indicate their positions at an early stage. In none of the cases in question does the report replace the previous consultation procedures with an advisory procedure.

Time limits in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures: the Commission proposal provides for a possible extension of the deadlines for completing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures to be incorporated in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulation. Hitherto, a time limit of 15 months has applied to anti-dumping procedures and 13 months to anti-subsidy procedures. The Commission proposal now permits the time limits to be extended to a maximum of 18 months. This is also the maximum permitted under WTO rules.

The report contains the following amendments:

·        the abolition of the consultation procedures makes it possible to reduce the regulatory procedure to 14 months in anti-dumping cases and 12 months in anti-subsidy cases;

·        if, after the examination procedure has been completed without result, a decision is needed from the appeal committee, it must be possible to extend the time limit to 15 months in anti-dumping cases and 13 months in anti-subsidy cases, since otherwise it would be impossible to comply with the time limits;

·        extensions of time limits should be possible only where the appeal committee is asked for a decision. It is therefore up to the Member States to indicate at an early stage in the procedure whether or not it will be necessary to seek a decision from the appeal committee.

Reports: in most of the regulations in question, Parliament recommends requiring the Commission to report to the European Parliament and to the public. All information that is not confidential must be set out in an annual or biennial report and published. This is necessary in order to supply information about fields which have been placed beyond the immediate reach of the European Parliament and hence of the public by adopting implementing provisions, thus facilitating scrutiny in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

La commission du commerce international a adopté le rapport de Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL (PPE, DE) sur la proposition de règlement du Parlement européen et du Conseil modifiant certains règlements relatifs à la politique commerciale commune en ce qui concerne les procédures d'adoption de certaines mesures.

La commission parlementaire recommande que la position du Parlement européen adoptée en première lecture suivant la procédure législative ordinaire modifie la proposition de la Commission comme suit :

Ajout de deux autres règlements à la proposition à l'examen : tandis que la proposition de la Commission se limite à 24 règlements à modifier, le présent rapport y ajoute deux autres règlements, à savoir : i) le règlement (CE) n° 3448/93 du Conseil déterminant le régime d'échange applicable à certaines marchandises résultant de la transformation de produits agricoles et ii) le règlement (CE) n° 1236/2005 du Conseil concernant le commerce de certains biens susceptibles d'être utilisés en vue d'infliger la peine capitale, la torture ou d'autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants.

Ces deux règlements ont pour base juridique l'article 207 du traité FUE (ex-article 133 CE). Ils relèvent donc du domaine de la politique commerciale commune. Tous deux contiennent des dispositions qui dotent la Commission, le Conseil et les États membres de compétences d'exécution, qui devraient être alignées sur les dispositions des articles 290 (actes délégués) et 291 du traité FUE, ainsi que sur le règlement (UE) n°182/2011.

Procédure d'examen ou procédure consultative : le rapport confirme la proposition de la Commission relative au recours, dans la grande majorité des cas, à la procédure d'examen pour la mise en œuvre des actes d'exécution. De l'avis des députés, la procédure d'examen est particulièrement adaptée à l'adoption de mesures antidumping, antisubventions et de sauvegarde définitives. Cela ressort déjà des dispositions du règlement (UE) n° 182/2011.

Toutefois, contrairement à la proposition de la Commission, le rapport conseille de recourir à la procédure consultative dans tous les cas où la Commission doit consulter les États membres avant de prendre une décision, mais pour lesquels le mécanisme de décision de longue haleine de la procédure d'examen constituerait une entrave. Tel serait le cas des mesures de sauvegarde temporaires, des mesures de surveillance et des mesures de suspension relevant des instruments de défense que la Commission doit être à même d’adopter aussi rapidement que possible. En cas d'urgence, lors de l'adoption de mesures de sauvegarde provisoires, il est nécessaire de prévoir la possibilité d'adopter, parallèlement à l'application de la procédure consultative, des mesures immédiates au moyen d'actes d'exécution immédiatement applicables.

Procédure écrite : conformément au règlement (UE) n° 182/2011, le président du comité consultatif ou d'appel peut ordonner le recours à la procédure écrite dans des cas simples. Le règlement prévoit qu'en l'absence de disposition contraire, la procédure écrite ne peut s'appliquer lorsqu'un État membre s'y oppose. Le présent rapport prévoit une disposition dérogatoire pour tous les règlements concernés, selon laquelle la procédure écrite ne prend fin qu'à la demande d'une majorité qualifiée des États membres. De plus, dans les cas simples comme l'arrêt de la procédure, le rapport introduit une référence explicite à la procédure écrite afin d'en suggérer l'application.

Actes délégués : le rapport confirme l'introduction des actes délégués dans tous les domaines proposés par la Commission. Il prévoit en outre d'étendre leur application aux règlements suivants:

• le règlement (CE) n° 3448/93 du Conseil du 6 décembre 1993 déterminant le régime d'échange applicable à certaines marchandises résultant de la transformation de produits agricoles;
• le règlement (CE) n° 427/2003 du Conseil du 3 mars 2003 relatif à un mécanisme de sauvegarde transitoire applicable aux importations de certains produits de la République populaire de Chine et modifiant le règlement (CE) n° 519/94 relatif au régime commun applicable aux importations de certains pays tiers;
• le règlement (CE) n° 1236/2005 du Conseil du 27 juin 2005 concernant le commerce de certains biens susceptibles d'être utilisés en vue d'infliger la peine capitale, la torture ou d'autres peines ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants;
• le règlement (CE) n° 732/2008 du Conseil du 22 juillet 2008 appliquant un schéma de préférences tarifaires généralisées pour la période du 1er janvier 2009 au 31 décembre 2011, et modifiant les règlements (CE) n° 552/97 et (CE) n° 1933/2006, ainsi que les règlements de la Commission (CE) n° 1100/2006 et (CE) n° 964/2007.

Le rapport recommande que ces règlements prévoient l'application d'actes délégués dans les cas suivants: a) la modification ou l'adaptation d'une ou de plusieurs annexes des différents règlements, et b) l'adoption de dispositions détaillées relatives à la transposition spécifique d'articles individuels.

Cas particulier du système des préférences généralisées (SPG) : le SPG constitue un cas particulier dans le présent rapport. La discussion relative à l'application des actes délégués et des actes d'exécution a déjà eu lieu entre la fin de l'année 2010 et le début de l'année 2011 en ce qui concerne le règlement (CE) n° 512/2011 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 11 mai 2011 modifiant le règlement (CE) n° 732/2008 du Conseil appliquant un schéma de préférences tarifaires généralisées pour la période du 1^er janvier 2009 au 31 décembre 2011. Le rapport reprend par conséquent toutes les revendications formulées par le Parlement européen en mars 2011.

Il s'agit concrètement de réglementer les actes délégués dans les cas suivants: i) octroi du régime spécial d'encouragement en faveur du développement durable et de la bonne gouvernance; ii) adoption des modalités nécessaires à la mise en œuvre des dispositions relatives à la réduction des droits du tarif douanier commun applicables aux produits relevant de la position tarifaire 1701 et de la suspension des droits du tarif douanier commun applicables aux produits relevant des positions tarifaires 1006 et 1701; iii) retrait d'un pays de l'annexe I et adaptations de toutes les autres annexes rendues nécessaires par suite des modifications de la nomenclature combinée, par des changements dans le statut international ou le classement des pays ou des territoires, lorsqu'un pays a atteint les seuils prévus ou pour établir la liste définitive des pays bénéficiaires.

Processus de consultation (antidumping et antisubventions): s'agissant des mesures antidumping et antisubventions, le rapport prévoit le remplacement des consultations dès l'ouverture de la procédure par une obligation d'information de la part de la Commission à l'égard des États membres ainsi que la possibilité, pour ces derniers, de formuler leur avis à bref délai. Dans aucun des cas visés, le rapport ne substitue la procédure consultative à la procédure de consultation actuelle.

Délais applicables aux procédures antidumping et antisubventions : en ce qui concerne les dispositions antidumping et antisubventions, la Commission prévoit la possibilité d'étendre les délais de clôture de ces procédures. Jusqu'à présent, le délai maximal était de 15 mois pour la procédure antidumping et de 13 mois pour la procédure antisubventions. La proposition de la Commission prévoit désormais la possibilité d'étendre les délais à 18 mois au maximum, ce qui correspond également au plafond fixé par l'OMC.

Les modifications proposées par les députés sont les suivantes:

• la suppression de la procédure de consultation permet de ramener à 14 mois le délai applicable à la procédure normale pour les mesures antidumping et à 12 mois pour les mesures antisubventions;
• en cas de saisine du comité d'appel faute d'aboutissement de la procédure d'examen, le délai doit pouvoir être étendu à 15 mois pour les mesures antidumping et à 13 mois pour les mesures antisubventions, faute de quoi il serait impossible de respecter les délais;
• les prolongations de délai doivent uniquement être possibles en cas de saisine du comité d'appel. Il appartient donc aux États membres de signaler à un stade précoce de la procédure si la saisine du comité d'appel sera ou non nécessaire.

Rapports : dans la plupart des règlements concernés, les députés recommandent l'introduction d'une obligation, pour la Commission, de faire rapport au Parlement européen et au grand public. Ils estiment que toutes les informations non confidentielles doivent figurer dans un rapport publié chaque année, voire tous les deux ans. Cela permet de faire connaître tout domaine qui échappe au contrôle direct du Parlement européen et donc des citoyens de par l'adoption d'actes d'exécution et donc de garantir l'exercice du droit de regard conformément à l'article 11 du règlement (UE) n° 182/2011. 

PURPOSE: to amend certain regulations relating to the common commercial policy as regards the procedures for the adoption of certain measures toreflect the changes in the legal framework and institutional balance brought about by the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: a number of basic regulations relating to the common commercial policy provide that acts implementing the common commercial policy are to be adopted by the Council according to procedures set down in the various instruments concerned or by the Commission subject to specific procedures and control by the Council. Such procedures are not subject to Council Decision 1999/468/EC laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (comitology).

It is appropriate to amend those regulations in order to ensure consistency with the provisions introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon which has led to significant changes both in the framework for the adoption of delegated and implementing acts and for the conduct of trade policy. This should be done, where appropriate, through the granting of delegated powers to the Commission and by applying certain procedures set out inRegulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States.

One of the key objectives of the abovementioned regulation, proposed by the Commission in March 2009, is to provide that the control of the Commission's exercise of its implementing powers is conducted not by the Council or the European Parliament but by the Member States as is required by Article 291 of the Treaty. In the proposal, this is achieved by the creation of procedures (the advisory and examination procedures) whereby the Commission's implementing acts are subject to control by the Member States combined with an automatic alignment of existing procedures established under Council Decision 1999/468/EC.

The current proposal addresses procedures for the control or adoption of acts in twenty four basic acts in the field of the common commercial policy not previously subject to Council Decision 1999/468/EC. Aligning the control of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers on the Regulation on the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers will bring additional advantages. In particular, it will permit a more effective and efficient exercise of the Commission's implementing powers and so contribute to a more effective and efficient common commercial policy.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

The European Parliament adopted by 587 votes to 24, with 61 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending certain regulations relating to the common commercial policy as regards the procedures for the adoption of certain measures.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amending the Commission proposal as follows:

Addition of two Regulations to the proposal under consideration: whilst the Commission proposal is confined to the amendment of 24 regulations, this resolution adds two further regulations, these being Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 laying down the trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products, and Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The legal basis of these two regulations is Article 207 TFEU (ex Article 133 EC.) Its objectives focus on common commercial policy matters. Both regulations include provisions that provide the Commission, the Council and the Member States with implementing powers that should be aligned to the provisions of Articles 290 (delegated acts) and 291 TFUE as well as of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

On the other hand, Parliament proposes to delete the reference to Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process. This Regulation was aligned with the requirements contained in Articles 290 and 291 within the Regulation of the European Parliament and Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009.

Examination procedure or advisory procedure: the resolution confirms the Commission proposal to use the examination procedure in the application of implementing provisions in the vast majority of cases. Members consider that that the examination procedure is the appropriate procedure particularly where final anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures are concerned. This is already implied by the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. In a departure from the Commission proposal, however, the report recommends using the advisory procedure in all cases where the Commission must consult Member States before taking a decision but in which the protracted decision-making involved in the examination procedure is an obstacle to arriving at a decision. This is the case with provisional safeguard measures, surveillance measures and suspension measures as part of trade policy defence instruments, when a quick, effective response from the Commission is called for.

In urgent cases, where temporary safeguard measures are adopted, in addition to using the advisory procedure there must be provision for immediate measures to be adopted by means of implementing provisions that are immediately applicable.

Written procedure: in accordance with Regulation (EU) n° 182/2011, the chair of an advisory or examination committee can order a written procedure in simple cases. The Regulation lays down that, except as otherwise provided, the written procedure may not be applied if a Member State objects. The resolution contains a different rule for all the regulations with which it is concerned. It stipulates that the written procedure is to be terminated only if a qualified majority of Member States calls for this. The resolution also contains an explicit reference to the written procedure, in order to encourage its use, in simple cases such as the termination of the procedure.

Delegated acts: Parliament confirms the introduction of delegated acts in all the fields proposed by the Commission. In addition, it provides for their application in the following regulations:

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 concerning trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products;

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 on a transitional product-specific safeguard mechanism for imports originating in the People’s Republic of China and amending Regulation (EC) No 519/94 on common rules for imports from certain third countries;

·        Council Regulation (EC° No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 of 22 July 2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 and amending Regulations (EC) No 552/97, (EC) No 1933/2006 and Commission Regulations (EC) No 1100/2006 and (EC) No 964/2007.

The resolution recommends the use of delegated acts in these regulations for the following purposes: (a) to amend or adapt one or more annexes to the regulation concerned, and (b) to adopt detailed provisions for the specific implementation of individual articles.

The special case of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP): the GSP constitutes a special case in this resolution. The use of delegated acts and implementing provisions was already debated between the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 in connection with Regulation (EU) No 512/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. The resolution consistently takes up all the European Parliament’s demands of March 2011.

More specifically, Members lay down rules on delegated acts in the following cases: (i) granting of special incentive arrangements for sustainable development and good governance; (ii) adoption of rules on the reduction of the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products of tariff heading 1701 and the abolition of the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products of tariff headings 1006 and 1701; (iii) deletion of a country from Annex I and amendment of all annexes on account of changes in the international status or classification of countries or territories, on account of the attainment in a country of the threshold values set or on account of the establishment of a final list of beneficiary countries.

Consultation procedures (anti-dumping and anti-subsidy): with regard to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, rather than consultations when the procedure is initiated, the report requires the Commission to inform Member States and makes it possible for Member States to indicate their positions at an early stage. In none of the cases in question does the report replace the previous consultation procedures with an advisory procedure.

Time limits in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures: the Commission proposal provides for a possible extension of the deadlines for completing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures to be incorporated in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulation. Hitherto, a time limit of 15 months has applied to anti-dumping procedures and 13 months to anti-subsidy procedures. The Commission proposal now permits the time limits to be extended to a maximum of 18 months. This is also the maximum permitted under WTO rules.

The report contains the following amendments:

·        the abolition of the consultation procedures makes it possible to reduce the regulatory procedure to 14 months in anti-dumping cases and 12 months in anti-subsidy cases;

·        if, after the examination procedure has been completed without result, a decision is needed from the appeal committee, it must be possible to extend the time limit to 15 months in anti-dumping cases and 13 months in anti-subsidy cases, since otherwise it would be impossible to comply with the time limits;

·        extensions of time limits should be possible only where the appeal committee is asked for a decision. It is therefore up to the Member States to indicate at an early stage in the procedure whether or not it will be necessary to seek a decision from the appeal committee.

Reports: in most of the regulations in question, Parliament recommends requiring the Commission to report to the European Parliament and to the public. All information that is not confidential must be set out in an annual or biennial report and published. This is necessary in order to supply information about fields which have been placed beyond the immediate reach of the European Parliament and hence of the public by adopting implementing provisions, thus facilitating scrutiny in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL (EPP, DE) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending certain regulations relating to the common commercial policy as regards the procedures for the adoption of certain measures.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position in first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows:

Addition of two Regulations to the proposal under consideration: whilst the Commission proposal is confined to the amendment of 24 regulations, this report adds two further regulations, these being Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 laying down the trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products, and Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The legal basis of these two regulations is Article 207 TFEU (ex Article 133 EC.) Its objectives focus on common commercial policy matters. Both regulations include provisions that provide the Commission, the Council and the Member States with implementing powers that should be aligned to the provisions of Articles 290 (delegated acts) and 291 TFUE as well as of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

Examination procedure or advisory procedure: the report confirms the Commission proposal to use the examination procedure in the application of implementing provisions in the vast majority of cases. Members consider that that the examination procedure is the appropriate procedure particularly where final anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures are concerned. This is already implied by the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. In a departure from the Commission proposal, however, the report recommends using the advisory procedure in all cases where the Commission must consult Member States before taking a decision but in which the protracted decision-making involved in the examination procedure is an obstacle to arriving at a decision. This is the case with provisional safeguard measures, surveillance measures and suspension measures as part of trade policy defence instruments, when a quick, effective response from the Commission is called for.

In urgent cases, where temporary safeguard measures are adopted, in addition to using the advisory procedure there must be provision for immediate measures to be adopted by means of implementing provisions that are immediately applicable.

Written procedure: in accordance with Regulation (EU) n° 182/2011, the chair of an advisory or examination committee can order a written procedure in simple cases. The Regulation lays down that, except as otherwise provided, the written procedure may not be applied if a Member State objects. The report contains a different rule for all the regulations with which it is concerned. It stipulates that the written procedure is to be terminated only if a qualified majority of Member States calls for this. The report also contains an explicit reference to the written procedure, in order to encourage its use, in simple cases such as the termination of the procedure.

Delegated acts: the report confirms the introduction of delegated acts in all the fields proposed by the Commission. In addition, it provides for their application in the following regulations:

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 concerning trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products;

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 on a transitional product-specific safeguard mechanism for imports originating in the People’s Republic of China and amending Regulation (EC) No 519/94 on common rules for imports from certain third countries;

·        Council Regulation (EC° No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

·        Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 of 22 July 2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011 and amending Regulations (EC) No 552/97, (EC) No 1933/2006 and Commission Regulations (EC) No 1100/2006 and (EC) No 964/2007.

The report recommends the use of delegated acts in these regulations for the following purposes: (a) to amend or adapt one or more annexes to the regulation concerned, and (b) to adopt detailed provisions for the specific implementation of individual articles.

The special case of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP): the GSP constitutes a special case in this report. The use of delegated acts and implementing provisions was already debated between the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 in connection with Regulation (EU) No 512/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 732/2008 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011. The report consistently takes up all the European Parliament’s demands of March 2011.

More specifically, Members lay down rules on delegated acts in the following cases: (i) granting of special incentive arrangements for sustainable development and good governance; (ii) adoption of rules on the reduction of the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products of tariff heading 1701 and the abolition of the Common Customs Tariff duties on the products of tariff headings 1006 and 1701; (iii) deletion of a country from Annex I and amendment of all annexes on account of changes in the international status or classification of countries or territories, on account of the attainment in a country of the threshold values set or on account of the establishment of a final list of beneficiary countries.

Consultation procedures (anti-dumping and anti-subsidy): with regard to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, rather than consultations when the procedure is initiated, the report requires the Commission to inform Member States and makes it possible for Member States to indicate their positions at an early stage. In none of the cases in question does the report replace the previous consultation procedures with an advisory procedure.

Time limits in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures: the Commission proposal provides for a possible extension of the deadlines for completing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy procedures to be incorporated in the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy regulation. Hitherto, a time limit of 15 months has applied to anti-dumping procedures and 13 months to anti-subsidy procedures. The Commission proposal now permits the time limits to be extended to a maximum of 18 months. This is also the maximum permitted under WTO rules.

The report contains the following amendments:

·        the abolition of the consultation procedures makes it possible to reduce the regulatory procedure to 14 months in anti-dumping cases and 12 months in anti-subsidy cases;

·        if, after the examination procedure has been completed without result, a decision is needed from the appeal committee, it must be possible to extend the time limit to 15 months in anti-dumping cases and 13 months in anti-subsidy cases, since otherwise it would be impossible to comply with the time limits;

·        extensions of time limits should be possible only where the appeal committee is asked for a decision. It is therefore up to the Member States to indicate at an early stage in the procedure whether or not it will be necessary to seek a decision from the appeal committee.

Reports: in most of the regulations in question, the report recommends requiring the Commission to report to the European Parliament and to the public. All information that is not confidential must be set out in an annual or biennial report and published. This is necessary in order to supply information about fields which have been placed beyond the immediate reach of the European Parliament and hence of the public by adopting implementing provisions, thus facilitating scrutiny in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.