THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff, and in particular Article 9(1)(a) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 established a nomenclature of goods, hereinafter referred to as the Combined Nomenclature, which is set out in Annex I to that Regulation.
(2)
In the interest of legal certainty, it is necessary to clarify the scope of the Combined Nomenclature as regards subheadings 0408 11 and 0408 19, which cover ‘egg yolks’.
(3)
The expression ‘otherwise preserved’ in the terms of heading 0408 should, for the purposes of subheadings 0408 11 and 0408 19, cover the use of limited amounts of salt or chemicals for preservation purposes as long as the salt or chemicals do not affect the character of those products. Salt or chemicals should not be used at a level higher than is necessary to achieve the preservation of the products having regard to commonly used production methods for products of subheadings 0408 11 and 0408 19. In principle, an amount of salt of up to 12 % by weight or minor amounts of other preservation agents do not change the character of egg yolks and can be accepted under subheadings 0408 11 and 0408 19.
(4)
A new Additional note should therefore be added in Chapter 4 of Part Two of the Combined Nomenclature to ensure its uniform interpretation throughout the Union.
(5)
Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(6)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Customs Code Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: