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EU/Switzerland Agreement: cumulation of origin between the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Turkey in the framework of the generalised system of preferences

2016/0328(NLE)

PURPOSE: to approve the conclusion of an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Union and Switzerland on the cumulation of origin between the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Turkey under the European Union's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2019/131 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the cumulation of origin between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Turkey in the framework of the Generalised System of Preferences.

CONTENT: the Council approved, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Union and Switzerland on the cumulation of origin between the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Turkey within the framework of the GSP.

With this agreement, certain products with content of Norwegian, Swiss or Turkish origin are to be treated on their arrival on the customs territory of the Union as products with content of Union origin. The rules of origin in the GSP of the Union, as reformed in 2010, provide for the implementation of a new system for the establishment of proofs of origin by registered exporters, which is to be applied from 1 January 2017.

In order to anticipate the application of that new system and the rules relating thereto, the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate an agreement with Switzerland, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, on the mutual acceptance of replacement certificates of origin Form A or replacement statements of origin providing that products with content of Norwegian, Swiss or Turkish origin are to be treated on their arrival on the customs territory of the Union as products with content of Union origin.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 15.10.2018.