Scheme of generalised tariff preferences: amending Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 978/2012

The European Parliament rejected a proposed resolution which objected to the Commission Delegated Regulation of 17 December 2013 amending Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences.

The motion for a resolution was tabled by the S&D, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups.

To recall, Regulation (EU) No 978/2012 laying down the arrangements for the Union’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), empowers the Commission to adopt delegated acts in order to establish or to amend Annex III in order to grant a requesting country the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance by adding that country to the list of GSP+ beneficiary countries.

On 17 December 2013 the Commission adopted a delegated act to establish Annex III, adding three additional countries – El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama – by means of a single delegated act.

Considering that such an approach limits considerably the scrutiny powers of the co-legislators, the Members moving the resolution, objected to the Commission’s delegated act. They called on the Commission to submit a new delegated act which takes account of the following recommendation pursuant to Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 978/2012, that the Commission should adopt a separate delegated act for each country it wants to add to the list of GSP+ beneficiary countries.