Commission Regulation (EC) No 2026/2006

of 22 December 2006

amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 of 20 December 2002 implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds1 and in particular Articles 19 and 20 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 provides for the amending of the list of participants in the Kimberley Process certification scheme in Annex II.

(2)

Bulgaria and Romania are listed as participants in the Kimberley Process certification scheme in Annex II.

(3)

In view of their accession to the European Union on 1 January 2007, Bulgaria and Romania cease to be participants in the Kimberley Process certification scheme in their own right on 31 December 2006 and should therefore be removed from the list of Participants.

(4)

Annex II should therefore be amended accordingly.

(5)

Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 stipulates that Member States may designate Community authorities to fulfil the tasks required by the said Regulation, and entrusts the Commission with maintaining a list of Community authorities in Annex III.

(6)

Belgium and Germany have informed the Commission of changes to the details of their respective Community authorities.

(7)

Annex III should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: