Article 1Preferential arrangements1.Products originating in Moldova, other than those included in tables 1 and 2 in Annex I, shall be admitted for import into the Community without quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect and with exemption of customs duties and charges having equivalent effect.2.Products originating in Moldova and included in Annex I shall be admitted for import into the Community subject to the special provisions laid down in Article 3.

Article 2Conditions for entitlement to the preferential arrangements1.Entitlement to benefit from the preferential arrangements introduced by Article 1 shall be subject to:(a)compliance with the rules of origin of products and the procedures related thereto as provided for in Title IV, Chapter 2, section 2 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93;(b)compliance with the methods of administrative cooperation as provided for in Articles 121 and 122 of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93;(c)Moldova’s involvement in effective administrative cooperation with the Community in order to prevent any risk of fraud;(d)Moldova’s abstention from introducing new duties or charges having equivalent effect and new quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect for imports originating in the Community or from increasing existing levels of duties or charges or from introducing any other restrictions from the day of the entry into force of this Regulation;(e)Moldova’s continued engagement in the implementation of the priorities set in the ENP Action Plan for Moldova of 2005, in particular as regards effective economic reform; and(f)Moldova’s maintaining the ratification and effective implementation of the covenants, conventions and protocols listed in Annex II and accepting regular monitoring and review of its implementation record in accordance with the implementation provisions of the covenants, conventions and protocols it has ratified.2.The Commission shall keep under review the status of ratification and effective implementation of the relevant covenants, conventions and protocols referred to in paragraph 1(f).3.In the event of non-compliance with the conditions set in paragraph 1, the Commission may, in accordance with Article 10, take measures to suspend the preferential arrangements provided for in Article 1.

Article 3Tariff quotas and price thresholds for certain agricultural products1.Products listed in Table 1 of Annex I shall be admitted for import into the Community with exemption of customs duties within the limits of Community tariff quotas as set out in that table.2.Products listed in Table 2 of Annex I shall be admitted for import into the Community with exemption of the ad valorem component of the import duty.3.Notwithstanding other provisions of this Regulation, in particular Article 10, if imports of agricultural products cause serious disturbance to the Community markets and their regulatory mechanisms, the Commission may take the appropriate measures in accordance with the procedure laid down in the applicable Community law to the products in question.

Article 4Implementation of tariff quotas for dairy productsThe detailed rules for implementing the tariff quotas for headings 0401 to 0406 shall be determined by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 42 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in milk and milk productsOJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p. 48. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1152/2007 (OJ L 258, 4.10.2007, p. 3)..

Article 5Administration of tariff quotasThe tariff quotas referred to in Article 3(1) and listed in Annex I, except tariff quotas for dairy products referred to in Article 4, shall be administered by the Commission in accordance with Articles 308a, 308b and 308c of Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93.

Article 6Access to tariff quotasMember States shall ensure that importers have equal and uninterrupted access to the tariff quotas for as long as the balance of the relevant quota volume so permits.

Article 7Conferment of powersThe Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2), adopt the provisions necessary for the application of this Regulation, other than those referred to in Article 4, notably:(a)amendments and technical adjustments necessary following amendments to the Combined Nomenclature codes and to the TARIC subdivisions;(b)necessary adjustments following the conclusion of other agreements between the Community and Moldova.

Article 8Committee procedure1.The Commission shall be assisted by the Customs Code Committee instituted by Article 248a of Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 1)., hereinafter referred to as "the Committee".2.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at one month.

Article 9CooperationMember States and the Commission shall cooperate closely to ensure that this Regulation, and in particular the provisions set out in Article 10(1), are complied with.

Article 10Temporary suspension1.Where the Commission finds that there is sufficient evidence of fraud, irregularities or systematic failure by Moldova to comply, or to ensure compliance, with the rules of origin of products and the procedures related thereto and to provide administrative cooperation as referred to in Article 2(1), or a failure to comply with any of the other the conditions defined in Article 2(1), it may take measures to suspend in whole or in part the preferential arrangements provided for in this Regulation for a period of not more than six months, provided that it has first:(a)informed the Committee;(b)called on the Member States to take such precautionary measures as are necessary in order to safeguard the Community’s financial interests and/or to secure compliance by Moldova with Article 2(1);(c)published a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union stating that there are grounds for reasonable doubts concerning the application of the preferential arrangements and/or compliance with Article 2(1) by Moldova which may call into question its right to continue enjoying the benefits granted by this Regulation;(d)informed Moldova of any decision taken in accordance with this paragraph, before it becomes effective.2.A Member State may refer the Commission’s Decision to the Council within 10 days. The Council, acting by qualified majority, may take a different decision within 30 days.3.On conclusion of the period of suspension, the Commission shall decide either to terminate the provisional suspension measure following consultation of the Committee or to extend the suspension measure in accordance with the procedure provided for in paragraph 1.4.Member States shall communicate to the Commission all relevant information that may justify the suspension of preferences or its extension.

Article 11Safeguard clause1.Where a product originating in Moldova is imported on terms which cause, or threaten to cause, serious difficulties to a Community producer of like or directly competing products, Common Customs Tariff duties on that product may be reintroduced at any time by the Council acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission.2.At the request of a Member State or on the Commission’s initiative, the Commission shall take a formal decision to initiate an investigation within a reasonable period of time. Where the Commission decides to initiate an investigation, it shall publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union announcing the investigation. The notice shall provide a summary of the information received and state that any relevant information should be sent to the Commission. It shall specify the period, which shall not exceed four months from the date of publication of the notice, within which interested parties may make their views known in writing.3.The Commission shall seek all information it deems necessary and may verify the information received with Moldova and any other relevant source. It may be assisted by officials of the Member States on whose territory verification might be sought, if that Member State so requests.4.In examining whether there are serious difficulties, the Commission shall take account, inter alia, of the following factors concerning Community producers where the information is available:market share,production,stocks,production capacity,capacity utilisation,employment,imports,prices.5.The investigation shall be completed within six months after the publication of the notice referred to in paragraph 2. The Commission may, in the case of exceptional circumstances, extend this period in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2).6.The Commission shall take a decision within three months, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2). Such decision shall enter into force within one month as from its publication.7.Where exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make an investigation impossible, the Commission may, after informing the Committee, take any preventive measure which is strictly necessary.

Article 12Surveillance measures in the agricultural sectorProducts in Chapters 17, 18, 19 and 21 of the Harmonised System, originating in Moldova, shall be subject to a special surveillance measure in order to avoid disturbances in the Community market.If Moldova does not comply with the rules of origin or does not provide administrative cooperation, as required in Article 2, for the aforementioned Chapters 17, 18, 19 and 21, or if imports of products under these Chapters subject to the preferential arrangements granted under this Regulation significantly exceed the usual levels of exports of Moldova, appropriate measures shall be taken in accordance with the procedures in Article 3(3), Article 10 or Article 11.

Article 13Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 and Commission Decision 2005/924/EC1.In Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 980/2005, the entry "MD Moldova, Republic of" shall be deleted.2.In the Sole Article of Decision 2005/924/EC, the entry "(MD) Republic of Moldova" shall be deleted.

Article 14Transitional measures1.The benefit of the generalised tariff preferences established by Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 shall continue to be granted in respect of goods originating in Moldova which are put into free circulation in the Community before the first day of the third month following the date of application of this Regulation, provided that:(a)the goods concerned are covered by a purchase contract concluded before the date of application of this Regulation; and(b)it can be shown to the satisfaction of the customs authorities that those goods left the country of origin no later than the date of application of this Regulation.2.The customs authorities may regard paragraph 1(b) as having been satisfied if one of the following documents is submitted to them:(a)in the case of transport by sea or waterway, the bill of loading showing that loading took place before the date of application of this Regulation;(b)in the case of transport by rail, the consignment note accepted by the railways of the expediting country before the date of application of this Regulation;(c)in the case of transport by road, the international road transport TIR carnet issued before the date of application of this Regulation by the customs office in the country of origin or any other appropriate document authenticated by the relevant customs authorities of the country of origin before that date;(d)in the case of transport by air, the air consignment note showing that the airline received the goods before the date of application of this Regulation.

Article 15Application of Community veterinary legislationThe provisions of this Regulation shall not affect any restrictions or import rules which are included in Community veterinary legislation.

Article 16Entry into force and applicationThis Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.It shall apply until 31 December 2015.The preferences provided for in this Regulation shall cease to apply, in whole or in part, should they not be permitted, in whole or in part, by a waiver granted by the World Trade Organization.Those preferences shall cease to apply from the day on which the waiver is no longer in effect.The Commission shall, sufficiently prior to that date, publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union to inform operators and the competent authorities thereof. The notice shall specify which preferences provided for by this Regulation will no longer apply and the date on which they cease to apply.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.ANNEX IPRODUCTS SUBMITTED TO QUANTITATIVE LIMITS OR PRICE THRESHOLDS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 3Notwithstanding the rules for the interpretation of the Combined Nomenclature, the wording for the description of the products is to be considered as having no more than an indicative value, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of this Annex, by the coverage of the CN codes. Where ex CN codes are indicated, the preferential scheme is to be determined by application of the CN code and corresponding description taken together.

1.Products subject to annual duty free tariff quotasFrom 1 January until 31 December, except for 2008, for which the tariff quotas apply from the first day of application of the Regulation until 31 December.Tonnes (net weight).Million units.Hectolitres.

Order No	CN Code	Description	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
09.0504	0201 to 0204	Fresh, chilled and frozen meat of bovine animals, swine and sheep and goats	3000	3000	4000	4000	4000	4000	4000	4000
09.0505	ex0207	Meat and edible offal of the poultry of heading 0105, fresh, chilled or frozen, other than fatty livers of subheading 020734	400	400	500	500	500	500	500	500
09.0506	ex0210	Meat and edible meat offal of swine and bovine animals, salted, in brine, dried or smoked; edible flours and meals of meat or meat offal of domestic swine and bovine animals	400	400	500	500	500	500	500	500
09.4210	0401 to 0406	Dairy products	1000	1000	1500	1500	1500	1500	1500	1500
09.0507	040700	Birds’ eggs, in shell	90	95	100	110	120	120	120	120
09.0508	ex0408	Bird’s eggs, not in shell and egg yolks, other than unfit for human consumption	200	200	300	300	300	300	300	300
09.0509	1001909110019099	Other spelt (other than spelt for sowing), common wheat and meslin	25000	30000	35000	40000	50000	55000	60000	65000
09.0510	10030090	Barley	20000	25000	30000	35000	45000	50000	55000	60000
09.0511	100590	Maize	15000	20000	25000	30000	40000	45000	50000	55000
09.0512	16010091 and16010099	Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal or blood; food preparations based on these products	500	500	600	600	600	600	600	600
09.0512	ex1602	Other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood:of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, uncooked,of domestic swine,of bovine animals, uncooked	500	500	600	600	600	600	600	600
09.0513	17019910	White sugar	15000	18000	22000	26000	34000	34000	34000	34000
09.0514	220421 and220429	Wine of fresh grapes other than sparkling wine	60000	70000	80000	150000	180000	240000	240000	240000

2.Products for which the ad valorem component of the import duty is exempted

CN Code	Description
0702	Tomatoes, fresh or chilled
070320	Garlic, fresh or chilled
0707	Cucumbers and gherkins, fresh or chilled
07099070	Courgettes, fresh or chilled
07099080	Globe artichokes
0806	Grapes, fresh or dried
080810	Apples, fresh
080820	Pears and quinces
080910	Apricots
080920	Cherries
080930	Peaches, including nectarines
080940	Plums and sloes

ANNEX IICOVENANTS, CONVENTIONS AND PROTOCOLS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 2(1)(F)1.International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights2.International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights3.International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination4.Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women5.Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment6.Convention on the Rights of the Child7.Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide8.Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (No 138)9.Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (No 182)10.Convention concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour (No 105)11.Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour (No 29)12.Convention concerning Equal Remuneration of Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value (No 100)13.Convention concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation (No 111)14.Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise (No 87)15.Convention concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to Organise and to Bargain Collectively (No 98)16.International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid17.Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer18.Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal19.Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants20.Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora21.Convention on Biological Diversity22.Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety23.Kyoto Protocol to the Unites Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change24.United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)25.United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)26.United Nations Convention against illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)27.United Nations Convention against Corruption (Mexico)

December 7, 2008	article 14	Amendment
December 7, 2008	annex 1	Replacement

Council Regulation (EC) No 55/2008 of 21 January 2008 introducing autonomous trade preferences for the Republic of Moldova and amending Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 and Commission Decision 2005/924/EC

Modified by

Council Regulation (EC) No 1210/2008 of 20 November 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 55/2008 introducing autonomous trade preferences for the Republic of Moldova