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O3 No. L 58 8.3.69
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58/11
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
DIRECTIVE OF THE COUNCIL
of 4 March 1969
on harmonisation of the provisions imposed by law, regulation and administrative action relating to the free zones scheme
(69/75/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
HAVING REGARD to the Treaty setting up the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof;
HAVING REGARD to the proposal of the Commission;
HAVING REGARD to the opinion of the Assembly (1);
HAVING REGARD to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2);
WHEREAS the Community is founded on a customs union;
WHEREAS the introduction of the customs union is regulated essentially by the provisions of Title 1, Chapter I of the second part of the Treaty; whereas that chapter of the Treaty comprises a body of specific directions, in particular with regard to the elimination of customs duties between Member States, the setting up and gradual introduction of a Common Customs Tariff and alterations or independent suspensions of the duties thereof; whereas although Article 27 prescribes that Member States, before the end of the first stage and insofar as may be necessary, shall take steps to approximate their provisions imposed by law, regulation and administrative action, that Article does not confer power on Community institutions to adopt compulsory provisions in that respect; whereas, however, a thorough examination which has been undertaken together with Member States has brought to light the need in certain matters to decide by compulsory Community action upon measures essential for the introduction of customs legislation to ensure uniform application of the Common Customs Tariff;
WHEREAS all Member States have enacted provisions imposed by law, regulation and administrative action the application of which has led or may lead to setting up zones where goods are considered as not being in Community customs territory;
(1) OJ No. C 66 of 2.7.68, p. 12
(2) OJ No. C 75 of 29.7.68, p.
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