Statistics relating to external trade with non-member countries: Commission delegated and implementing powers

The Committee on International Trade adopted the recommendation for second reading contained in the report by Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE) on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 471/2009 on Community statistics relating to external trade with non-member countries as regards the conferral of delegated and implementing powers on the Commission for the adoption of certain measures.

The committee recommended the European Parliament to approve the Council reading at first reading without amendments.

In the explanatory memorandum accompanying the recommendation, it is recalled that the informal negotiations started under the Italian Presidency, following the adoption of Parliament's first reading position by the plenary on 12 March 2014, with a view to reaching an early second reading agreement.

After several rounds of trilogues the negotiations were suspended while awaiting the adoption of the new Inter-institutional Agreement on Better Law-making which provides, inter alia, for a horizontal solution regarding the consultation of Member States’ experts in preparation of delegated acts.

The adoption of the new Inter-institutional agreement in December 2015 thus enabled the Parliament's and Council's negotiating teams to reach an agreement on the Regulation in question.

The agreed text was presented to the INTA Committee for a vote of approval on 21 April 2016, and was approved by an overwhelming majority.